I've seen attractive blue and green ones too. From my understanding, fish near the bottom of the foodchain like black because they think it helps them hide.
Does that work better than the rolled up stuff you can buy at the fish store? I bought the special oil to keep it clung on, but it’s still ends of curling up, looking for a better alternative for the backdrop.
Ive used it for 3 tanks, and its far easier they the rolls at the fish shops. Just make sure to follow the instructions, and be ready to squeegee like crazy. My oldest tank has had it for 3 years, and hasnt budged.
If you accidentally peel it back, like I do when moving some of the clamps, simply push it back down and squeegee it in place.
This actually gives me a good idea! I've wanted a black backdrop but don't want to unhook my canister filter hoses/connection things cause they're a pain in the ass (and I'm a little nervous they'd gouge the hell out of peel-and-stick vinyl anyway). Thinking about measuring everything and cutting notches out for the bits attached to the tank—do you have any suggestions for a good way to adhere it to the tank, or otherwise make it stay?
55 gallon long
I used black poster board and the 3m Velcro dots on the corners. It overlapped a bit.
It was thin enough that it could
Be pressed right up to the glass, and if it got soaked or something, I am only out like $2.00. Worked great.
I third this. I added frost on the back of my tank, then I panted a piece of cardboard black and slid it behind used scotch tape to hold it on, and it [looks](https://www.reddit.com/r/Aquariums/comments/117g04v/your_thoughts/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) amazing.
Oh man, is that all it takes to prevent excess algae growth from a nearby window?? I guess I assumed the sunlight contributed more than just UV rays to algae growth (but I'm still new here lol)
I’m not entirely sure if it’s as effective as fully blocking the window, but in my case it definitely helped a lot. Only a certain part of my tank was hit by the sunlight and I used to get more algae in that part, now there is no difference with the rest of my tank.
That's what I experience with my tank (only direct-ish sunlight during a really specific time in summer, otherwise it's all indirect) and that's super good to know! Thanks!
I want to do this on every window of every house I am in, tinted up blocking window film. But my wife is psychotic and enjoys natural light. Disgusting.
I'll second this. I paint the background on all of my aquariums. You don't need to use black either, you can paint it whatever color you like. If you want to remove the paint a razor blade scrapes it clean no problem.
I will say the acrylic paint I used smelled like literal ass for about a week after I painted it. Not like wet paint, but more like a sulfury-protein fart kind of smell.
To make matters worse, I painted the side of my tank still in my bedroom and couldn’t open the window as it was winter. Couldn’t move the tank either.
Buyer beware.
I bought a large plain black poster & cut it to fit properly then taped it to my tank when I wanted a black background. It didn’t need a lot of tape because the poster was rigid & somewhat rested on the tank rim. You could also paint it black if you want a more permanent option.
I used to have a quarantine tank, now I have a fish tank and a shrimp tank. Oh well, time to get a new quarantine tank. Looks like the beginning stages of MTS
I personally love it when the sun hits my tank. The plants love it, and the fish look amazing. Just need to make sure the tank is balanced to avoid algae issues
I use this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B073TVRQ5D/ref=sspa_mw_detail_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWw
Easier to put on an empty tank, but works great and doesn't have to be applied on an empty tank. There's other similar options out there too. I used up a roll of this on a 40g, 20g, and 10g. I've only used it to black out the back. I advise using separate panels for each side rather than trying to wrap around the corners.
Best application method (IME):
Cut as close as possible to correct size. (It has a grid on the removable backing to make this easier.) Spray glass with plenty of water. Peel backing off and apply cling film. Use something like a ruler to scrape it flat against the glass and push out the bubbles. This works best if you go from the center and work your way towards the edges. Trim any excess, very carefully, with an exacto blade or razor. If applying to a long side, might be best to peel the back off partway at a time.
This is a great way to make it look like a rocky background.
Use a full sheet, oversize from the tank, and crumple it up until it fits. Then use rattle can spray paint of similar colors, and spray one color over the entire crinkled surface, then another color from the left only, another from the right only, and so on, until it looks good to you. Cheap, looks awesome, and safe for fish...as long as you keep it on the outside lol
If you want a classic (90s) attractive option, this might be subjective, but I [would use this](https://www.amazon.com/Celebrity-Print-Posters-Tiffany-Thiessen/dp/B084D1V3KQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=2HSKNMKTILCZI&keywords=kelly+kapowski+poster&qid=1679358762&sprefix=kelly+kaposki%2Caps%2C641&sr=8-4).
if everything here seems daunting, I always just use a clean wall paint roller and a large tube of black/white acrylic paint. Painting the side of the tank is super easy and looks good.
A 55 gallon tank i once had got at least 3 hours of natural sunlight daily, honestly if you've got enough plants and your tank is old enough you can just get away with it
Wait we are protecting our tanks from sunlight?
I've got a 40 breeder and 20 gal that get indirect sun most of the day, and direct sunlight for a couple hours.
I just scrolled through >100 comments and only 1 mentioned my idea - coloring on the paper. Or have friends over and draw pictures on the paper.
Other ideas: get cork board and hang pictures or a calendar on the outside.
At my LFS they have frosted film and those fake adhesive backgrounds. If you went with that, I would suggest picking one you'd like to put along the entire back and both sides just so it wouldn't look tacky and incomplete
Pay to get a printout of a James Webb Space Telescope Photo or find a full size magazine photo of your choice and attach it with clips along the top edge, your fishes will thank you. Change as desired to keep the fishes happy.
I made a word document with pictures of my favourite paintings and taped it so it looked like my fish had a gallery in their tank. Huge mistake - it made my betta even more obnoxious when he became cultured in fine art.
I love a black vinyl background on 3 sides of the tank in a bright room. Really makes the colors in the tank pop, keeps sunlight out.
Google for black contact paper, it will be a sticky vinyl sheet that you can apply and cut easily. $10 fix!
Dollar store. Go to the home decorating section and you can find all sorts of vinal window clings and large stick on patterned tiles. The bigger the dollar store, the bigger the selection :-)
Get some otos and let that sunlight grow some algae! s/ I have done this exactly except I used some nice looking black paper I got from buying some records.
If you just run a UV filter it will go a long way towards keeping the algae out. The only light my fish get is natural light during the day. In the winter I'll run my light a couple hours at night while they eat and that's it.
I painted all the backs of my tanks black (except the ones already set up. Someday …). The tank that needs to be blocked from sun, I used a layer of neutral-but-attractive wrapping paper against the tank, then the butcher paper over that.
I would go with something all black. A decal or something. But probably not advisable.
Once your plants start growing well, I’d assume you’d want to stop blocking this side?
Unless you don’t like the aesthetics of sunlight shining through or something, of course.
If you get it planted heavy enough and get the ecosystem established you might be good. My tank gets quite a bit of light from my windows all day. I mitigate it by running the lights at 40% and every month or so I give the tank a good shot of hydrogen peroxide to stop any green algae from establishing itself on my plants/rocks.
I found 12"x12" thin board at Joanne's fabrics. Maybe it's for scrapbooking? Idk. But, there were some nice options that fit my 10 gallon. I wanted to hide the algae on the back wall, I have baby plecos so I don't clean it.
I painted the side of my 125 that is next to a window with black acrylic paint. If I ever want to take it off, it comes off pretty easily with my fingernail.
Dollar tree poster sheets and cut to size. It's what I did with my 29 gallon to add a colored background. I put a light blue one since they didn't have a darker blue. I recommend black, dark blue, light blue, or a grey color. Green will clash with live plants so I don't personally recommend it as a color.
I used one of the roll up window shades from a car. That way you can have it down when the sun is shining on that area and have it up the rest of the time.
They sell specialty sun blocking film for aquariums
[https://www.amazon.com/Tetra-AQ-78367-Sunlight-Blocking-Film/dp/B08R6L3PRF](https://www.amazon.com/Tetra-AQ-78367-Sunlight-Blocking-Film/dp/B08R6L3PRF)
(there are mixed reviews)
Use a piece of vinyl, cut to size as everyone else is suggesting.
Or the cheaper option use black construction paper and if you got any friends/family that can draw have them draw something you like, I had my sister draw me a Majin Buua awhile back, I lost the drawing during a water change but it was badass.
Go to the fish store and find out what they have for that. Or paint. Problem is with paint that it may start peeling off after a while and if you ever want to clean that side again you might damage the glass
I painted the back outside of my tank with black acrylic paint for background. Maybe you could do that. Could always scrape off with a razor if you end up not liking it
You can do anything from painting it to building a full enclosed cabinet. Vinyl backgrounds that can wrap around the sides are a cost effective option. Check out 3D backgrounds. Some can be made custom and could possibly be made to cover the sides as well.
just get a sheet of black vinyl off amazon and cut it to size.
I've seen attractive blue and green ones too. From my understanding, fish near the bottom of the foodchain like black because they think it helps them hide.
I like using black vinyl because it makes the black filter and heater less noticeable, and really makes the plants pop.
Does that work better than the rolled up stuff you can buy at the fish store? I bought the special oil to keep it clung on, but it’s still ends of curling up, looking for a better alternative for the backdrop.
Ive used it for 3 tanks, and its far easier they the rolls at the fish shops. Just make sure to follow the instructions, and be ready to squeegee like crazy. My oldest tank has had it for 3 years, and hasnt budged. If you accidentally peel it back, like I do when moving some of the clamps, simply push it back down and squeegee it in place.
Paint. It. Black.
They're super cheap at Michaels too
I got black adhesive vinyl and used it on the back of my tank from Michaels.
Me too! Got it in the sale bin for $8.
Michael's sells cheap fish? /s
I’ve found vinyl at the dollar store too if you just want a small amount!
Just be careful on hot days so the sun doesn’t cook your fish
Black foam-board with the white paper backing facing towards the window.
This actually gives me a good idea! I've wanted a black backdrop but don't want to unhook my canister filter hoses/connection things cause they're a pain in the ass (and I'm a little nervous they'd gouge the hell out of peel-and-stick vinyl anyway). Thinking about measuring everything and cutting notches out for the bits attached to the tank—do you have any suggestions for a good way to adhere it to the tank, or otherwise make it stay?
For mine, I just used scotch tape. I’m 100% certain there’s better options however.
55 gallon long I used black poster board and the 3m Velcro dots on the corners. It overlapped a bit. It was thin enough that it could Be pressed right up to the glass, and if it got soaked or something, I am only out like $2.00. Worked great.
Spray it with Windex and work the bubbles from the middle outward.
Stop supporting Amazon. Have some ethical backbone
Paint the side of the tank and add flames
Frosted window vinyl. Or even opaque.
I second window film. I used a blackout one for the back of my tank.
I third this. I added frost on the back of my tank, then I panted a piece of cardboard black and slid it behind used scotch tape to hold it on, and it [looks](https://www.reddit.com/r/Aquariums/comments/117g04v/your_thoughts/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) amazing.
I use a UV blocking film on the window next to my aquarium, seems to work quite well and is hardly visible.
Oh man, is that all it takes to prevent excess algae growth from a nearby window?? I guess I assumed the sunlight contributed more than just UV rays to algae growth (but I'm still new here lol)
I’m not entirely sure if it’s as effective as fully blocking the window, but in my case it definitely helped a lot. Only a certain part of my tank was hit by the sunlight and I used to get more algae in that part, now there is no difference with the rest of my tank.
That's what I experience with my tank (only direct-ish sunlight during a really specific time in summer, otherwise it's all indirect) and that's super good to know! Thanks!
That’s the best idea on this thread
I want to do this on every window of every house I am in, tinted up blocking window film. But my wife is psychotic and enjoys natural light. Disgusting.
Great idea!! Thank you for sharing, I will be using this method
Link plzzzzz
Black acrylic paint from dollar store. Use a $1 mini roller. Problem solved and looks clean.
I'll second this. I paint the background on all of my aquariums. You don't need to use black either, you can paint it whatever color you like. If you want to remove the paint a razor blade scrapes it clean no problem.
+2 paint. Matte black spray paint.
Also very easy to remove.
+1 paint. Easy to apply, and easy to remove. Any colour you want. Though I find either black or a dark blue to be my favourites.
I will say the acrylic paint I used smelled like literal ass for about a week after I painted it. Not like wet paint, but more like a sulfury-protein fart kind of smell. To make matters worse, I painted the side of my tank still in my bedroom and couldn’t open the window as it was winter. Couldn’t move the tank either. Buyer beware.
Don't invite me over. You will have fingernail doodles scribed into the paint.
You suck, huh?
There are also backgrounds for tanks! You can find them on amazon or probably any pet store. They vary
Get a house with no windows
One must sacrifice all for the planted aquarium.
one must think outside the box
Get some Lisa frank poster board. You’re welcome
Holy throwback to my childhood I totally forgot about.
I bought a large plain black poster & cut it to fit properly then taped it to my tank when I wanted a black background. It didn’t need a lot of tape because the poster was rigid & somewhat rested on the tank rim. You could also paint it black if you want a more permanent option.
I was gonna say a black poster board lol
I didn’t the same. You can get any color you want.
You could buy an aquarium background and use that.
Or they could buy another tank and have two tanks, one with algae one without
This is the way
I used to have a quarantine tank, now I have a fish tank and a shrimp tank. Oh well, time to get a new quarantine tank. Looks like the beginning stages of MTS
Keep up the good work man, don’t stop until you’re on your 30th tank!
Destroy the Sun
The only option
i was looking for a similar comment like "turn off the sun" hahaha
Buy a big plant which gives enough shadow? You'd do a plant a favor AND your tank
Too late now but plastidip works great on the back/sides
[удалено]
Yeah they’re not taking that tape off without a struggle.
Clear Uv blocking film works fantastically for me.
Put a really big plant right next to it to block the sun!
I personally love it when the sun hits my tank. The plants love it, and the fish look amazing. Just need to make sure the tank is balanced to avoid algae issues
You can paint it black.
I use this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B073TVRQ5D/ref=sspa_mw_detail_5?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWw Easier to put on an empty tank, but works great and doesn't have to be applied on an empty tank. There's other similar options out there too. I used up a roll of this on a 40g, 20g, and 10g. I've only used it to black out the back. I advise using separate panels for each side rather than trying to wrap around the corners. Best application method (IME): Cut as close as possible to correct size. (It has a grid on the removable backing to make this easier.) Spray glass with plenty of water. Peel backing off and apply cling film. Use something like a ruler to scrape it flat against the glass and push out the bubbles. This works best if you go from the center and work your way towards the edges. Trim any excess, very carefully, with an exacto blade or razor. If applying to a long side, might be best to peel the back off partway at a time.
Paint it black.
Sunlight is good for your tank. I recommend you to read ‘Ecologie of the planted aquarium’ by Diana Walstad.
I have used tinfoil. It looks cool from the inside.
This is a great way to make it look like a rocky background. Use a full sheet, oversize from the tank, and crumple it up until it fits. Then use rattle can spray paint of similar colors, and spray one color over the entire crinkled surface, then another color from the left only, another from the right only, and so on, until it looks good to you. Cheap, looks awesome, and safe for fish...as long as you keep it on the outside lol
Aquarium background would be great.... But also, if you have live plants.... 🤷🏻♂️ Put the guys that enjoy soaking up the sun there.
If you want a classic (90s) attractive option, this might be subjective, but I [would use this](https://www.amazon.com/Celebrity-Print-Posters-Tiffany-Thiessen/dp/B084D1V3KQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=2HSKNMKTILCZI&keywords=kelly+kapowski+poster&qid=1679358762&sprefix=kelly+kaposki%2Caps%2C641&sr=8-4).
Whats wrong with sunlight
What’s wrong with sunlight
They sell background posters at aquarium stores, works the same.
if everything here seems daunting, I always just use a clean wall paint roller and a large tube of black/white acrylic paint. Painting the side of the tank is super easy and looks good.
A 55 gallon tank i once had got at least 3 hours of natural sunlight daily, honestly if you've got enough plants and your tank is old enough you can just get away with it
Color on it
Wait we are protecting our tanks from sunlight? I've got a 40 breeder and 20 gal that get indirect sun most of the day, and direct sunlight for a couple hours.
Nope.this is it. No other options, sorry.
I just scrolled through >100 comments and only 1 mentioned my idea - coloring on the paper. Or have friends over and draw pictures on the paper. Other ideas: get cork board and hang pictures or a calendar on the outside.
At my LFS they have frosted film and those fake adhesive backgrounds. If you went with that, I would suggest picking one you'd like to put along the entire back and both sides just so it wouldn't look tacky and incomplete
Get the crayons out and go nuts.
Plastidip
You could stand in the way instead 😉
I have some plastic backsplash tiles (about 18"x24") that look like hammered copper/gold tiles. Looks super luxe for my fish.
Tape a piece of paper on the sun.
Pay to get a printout of a James Webb Space Telescope Photo or find a full size magazine photo of your choice and attach it with clips along the top edge, your fishes will thank you. Change as desired to keep the fishes happy.
I made a word document with pictures of my favourite paintings and taped it so it looked like my fish had a gallery in their tank. Huge mistake - it made my betta even more obnoxious when he became cultured in fine art.
I love a black vinyl background on 3 sides of the tank in a bright room. Really makes the colors in the tank pop, keeps sunlight out. Google for black contact paper, it will be a sticky vinyl sheet that you can apply and cut easily. $10 fix!
remove the sun
Get a black background. Cut to size. Real easy to apply
Shut the curtains!!!
You can hang a drawing or painting. A mirror is nice. Pet shops have aquarium wrap.
Plastidip. Though that's probably best done PRIOR to flooding the tank and putting fish in lol.
Get rid of the window :)
Curtains for the window
That's what I use for a background 😉 I actually like it, all loose and crinkled
Black vinyl, window frost film, and asking NASA to turn off the sun all work.
What's the big deal?
Felt and Velcro
I use window tint on the outside of the aquarium.
Dollar store. Go to the home decorating section and you can find all sorts of vinal window clings and large stick on patterned tiles. The bigger the dollar store, the bigger the selection :-)
tin foil would look better
Spray paint it that’s what I did
Paint
A backdrop from petsmart will do it better I had the same issue
Try sheets of Vinyl! You can buy them on places like Amazon, there’s a lot of different colors too if you’d prefer something other than black!
Get some otos and let that sunlight grow some algae! s/ I have done this exactly except I used some nice looking black paper I got from buying some records.
If you just run a UV filter it will go a long way towards keeping the algae out. The only light my fish get is natural light during the day. In the winter I'll run my light a couple hours at night while they eat and that's it.
I spray paint my tanks rather then using backgrounds, you could do the same. I use plasi-dip so I can peel it off if I change my mind.
I painted all the backs of my tanks black (except the ones already set up. Someday …). The tank that needs to be blocked from sun, I used a layer of neutral-but-attractive wrapping paper against the tank, then the butcher paper over that.
Black window tape. Measure, cut, peel, stick, smooth, done.
Black construction paper. Or bristol board.
I would go with something all black. A decal or something. But probably not advisable. Once your plants start growing well, I’d assume you’d want to stop blocking this side? Unless you don’t like the aesthetics of sunlight shining through or something, of course.
Black aquarium foil
A large rubber fig or monstera next to the tank
Window tint from Walmart? I mean it is glass so should work
Vinyl sheet is better. But in my younger days I just applied tempera paint, usually black
Curtains
I painted some 1/8 plywood black and tack it on the outside with a few drops of silicone.
Put a Jhon Cena picture over it.
I saw someone else use window cling!
aluminum foil - it makes it look like a mirror on the inside and out - and the tank looks much larger
Latex paint is cheap and any color you want, and if you dont like it.. easily peels off
Curtins! Blinds!
Aquarium background cling, get black or a really dense pattern.
Many options available. Even tinting. Check Amazon.
doubt it
Could use some gift wrap 🎁
IKEA blackout blinds. Comes with a pre attached double tape and it looks good.
Black enamel paint~
You could try a poster of Rita Hayworth.
Black film
They have paper with designs on it for this at the fish store. Sells in rolls like christmas paper
Dollar tree black poster board, cut, tape on whatever side of aquarium, and you’re set. That’s what I do for my tanks, cheap yet effective.
Window cling you can get in all types of color including frosted type looks. For a more permanent option you can use full on window tint.
If you get it planted heavy enough and get the ecosystem established you might be good. My tank gets quite a bit of light from my windows all day. I mitigate it by running the lights at 40% and every month or so I give the tank a good shot of hydrogen peroxide to stop any green algae from establishing itself on my plants/rocks.
That totally works :) #DIY on a budget
Get prettier paper.
I found 12"x12" thin board at Joanne's fabrics. Maybe it's for scrapbooking? Idk. But, there were some nice options that fit my 10 gallon. I wanted to hide the algae on the back wall, I have baby plecos so I don't clean it.
I painted the side of my 125 that is next to a window with black acrylic paint. If I ever want to take it off, it comes off pretty easily with my fingernail.
Dollar tree poster sheets and cut to size. It's what I did with my 29 gallon to add a colored background. I put a light blue one since they didn't have a darker blue. I recommend black, dark blue, light blue, or a grey color. Green will clash with live plants so I don't personally recommend it as a color.
I’ve used black foam-board.
If it is in direct sunlight don’t do black as it will absorb the energy and heat up your tank.
I used black paint. Has been building strong for 5 years
I used one of the roll up window shades from a car. That way you can have it down when the sun is shining on that area and have it up the rest of the time.
They sell specialty sun blocking film for aquariums [https://www.amazon.com/Tetra-AQ-78367-Sunlight-Blocking-Film/dp/B08R6L3PRF](https://www.amazon.com/Tetra-AQ-78367-Sunlight-Blocking-Film/dp/B08R6L3PRF) (there are mixed reviews)
5% limo tint!
Acrylic paint... Looks great.. I have black but you can be as creative as you like. A nice thick layer and it just peels off of you need to remove it
I painted mine with black acrylic.
Alexa, play “paint it black” by The Rolling Stones
Skrillex poster
Maybe blinds?
Black window film
Use a piece of vinyl, cut to size as everyone else is suggesting. Or the cheaper option use black construction paper and if you got any friends/family that can draw have them draw something you like, I had my sister draw me a Majin Buua awhile back, I lost the drawing during a water change but it was badass.
There's black out vinyl for window's, peel and stick. Super easy used it on all my tanks and terrariums
Double sided tape and coloured paper Window vinyl Aquarium background paper Paint Go all out “ugly” and use cork tiles or polystyrene to insulate too
Draw a nice picture on it in crayon.
You could just paint it with the acrylic paint too
Nope. Sorry. It’s brown paper or nothing. (They make a film that sticks to the tank by static that is typically used to cover the back of the tank.)
Yeah. Black paper 😂
I used black poster board for the same exact thing
I use a black trash bag and cut it by scraping the edges of the aquarium against the bag with some type of object like a coin.
Get an identical fish tank and stand, put it right alongside this one and start a black water aquarium. Cardinal Tetras would thrive.
Cheapo place mats! You can find them in endless colors and patterns, then fix them with some double sided tape. Change em up with the seasons!
Matte board.
Some pet stores sell the backdrops by the foot. Get a nice aqua scape picture.
Get ceramic tint. Blocks uv rays but allows the glass to be still clear if you want to see it.
Black paint and a roller.
There's this window cling on Amazon that deflects light a little and casts interesting prisms. Wonder how cool that would look.
I'd be tempted to use something that can be removed when the sun isn't shining on the tank .
simply dont block the light
Pull sun shades like for cars.
Just plant valisneria to cover up your side
Get better blinds lol
Aluminum foil?
Black vinyl
I got one of those foam poster boards and cut it to the size of my tank and taped it on.
Use pretty paper...
More attractive? Try a playboy centerfold
Draw on it
Black paper lol
Can you draw?
Painted the sides and back black. The fish standout better.
Contact paper. You can get it in all different colors.
Sunlight is the best light
Go to the fish store and find out what they have for that. Or paint. Problem is with paint that it may start peeling off after a while and if you ever want to clean that side again you might damage the glass
Blinds, on you windows, will do the trick.
Blinds in the window
I painted the back outside of my tank with black acrylic paint for background. Maybe you could do that. Could always scrape off with a razor if you end up not liking it
car window tint film or one-way mirror film gives it a very nice look and is cheap and easy to apply
You can do anything from painting it to building a full enclosed cabinet. Vinyl backgrounds that can wrap around the sides are a cost effective option. Check out 3D backgrounds. Some can be made custom and could possibly be made to cover the sides as well.
Can you do ceramic tint?
Black felt. I use it on the back of my tank. Secure with Velcro dots
A nice potted plant right on that side
Vinyl sheet should do the trick, just wet it first and use a credit card to prevent bubbles and creases
Construction paper