Best Aquarium Backgrounds For UK Fish Tanks

We shortlisted these backgrounds by product type and the dimensions stated in their names. Stock levels and buyer reviews change often, so check both on the product page before you order.

What Size Aquarium Background Do I Need?

Your background needs to cover the rear glass you want hidden, so check both width and height before ordering. Measure the width and height in cm, noting where the frame interrupts the view. A 120 x 50 cm poster and a 120 x 61 cm poster share one dimension but offer different coverage in the other. The 62 x 30 cm VLYX decal and 61 x 30 cm Tiiyee sticker are closer in size, so a single centimetre may decide which one fits. Where dimensions are missing or incomplete, request the full measurements rather than estimating from a photograph. Check any trimming instructions before you buy an oversized sheet.

How Do These Aquarium Backgrounds Compare?

The table lists each background with the kind of tank it suits and one detail from its listing, usually the printed size or how it fixes. Measure the back glass in cm first, then rule out any sheet that is too small to cover it.

Should I Choose A Plain Or Scenic Background?

A plain background gives one solid colour behind the tank, while a scenic print adds a more detailed backdrop. The Lifetree options offer black or white blackout designs, while the MIRRORANG posters include black rock and aquatic plant scenes. The Superfish C5 and C3 feature Mossy Aquascapes designs in different sizes. Compare the pattern with your existing plants, ornaments and substrate rather than judging the background alone. Hold black and white paper behind a small area of glass to compare the two plain colours before you buy. A poster described as having a 3D effect should not be assumed to include raised decoration.

How Do Static Cling And Adhesive Backgrounds Compare?

Static cling backgrounds cling to the glass, while self adhesive versions use an adhesive surface. The Lifetree black and white options are labelled static cling, and the Tiiyee sticker is labelled self adhesive. Some names use both terms, so check the fitting instructions rather than assuming the method from a single phrase. PVC identifies a material, not how a background attaches. Leave enough room behind the tank to reach the glass, because fitting a sheet in a gap of a few centimetres is fiddly. The AKSIQIOL film includes a scraper and is described as removable with no residue, but those stated features should not be assumed for every background.

Can You Clean or Replace a Background Later?

Yes, an outside background can be changed later, but how easily depends on how it fixes. A static cling sheet peels away and can usually be repositioned, which makes it the simplest choice if you like to change the look of a tank. Adhesive posters and decals hold more firmly, so removing them takes patience and may leave a sticky film on the glass that needs careful cleaning.

Plan for access before the tank is filled. A full aquarium is very heavy and should never be pushed or dragged to reach the back, so leave a gap of a few centimetres between the tank and the wall. When you clean the outside of the glass, use a cloth dampened with plain water rather than a household spray, because cleaning chemicals can harm fish if any drift into the water. A fish tank background on the outside never touches the water, so it needs only an occasional dust, while algae on the inside of the back glass is cleaned with an aquarium scraper as usual.

For the rest of the setup, see our guides to quiet aquarium filters and aquarium wave makers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last reviewed: 21 October 2026.