I like to use spray paint. Personally, I'm not worried about taking it off later because I mostlikely won't since I like the look. I've found that the rustoleum industrial spray paint works real well but regular black spray paint will do the job. It just runs more, which you can't see from the front.
Measure the back of your tank. Go to an art supply store and buy a piece of black (or any color you want) mat board and have it cut to the size of the tank's back. Get some velcro squares and place them on the tank back along the frame, and the accompanying velcro square on the mat board to attach mat to tank back. This way if you can change your background at will and don't have to worry about painting.
I just picked up Ocean Visions backing from a LFS (pet shanty in NJ). It's a vinyl sticker, and it was much easier to apply that I had originally thought it would. The finish came out perfect. If you ever tinted a car window, this is much, much easier. It took about 15 minutes with a friend to do the back of a 125.
The 23" wide was 3.49 a foot (.50 more a foot than TPP).
I can't say how much I like this stuff. I've even seen suction cups used on it.
Just make sure that the tank is clean, the backing is clean, and use lots of lightly soapy water.
See for what it would cost to cover the back of a 55g in the vinyl I could paint probably close to a dozen tanks. Call me cheap. Brianclaw had suggested to me not too long ago to check craft stores for the vinyl. It might be cheaper there.
Anyone ever try shoe polish on the back of the tank?
I agree it does cost a lot more than paint in cash, but everyone pays some how.
The 1 time I tried painting, it got chipped, took 3 coats to make it opaque, and the clean up was a hassle.
Not to mention the clean up if you ever want to change the color.
just my .02
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