What color background do you prefer?

[Anonymous]

I am trying to decide what color to paint the back of the new tank. What are your preferrences?

 

[Alembic14]

When you look towards the background of your tank, you should be able to say "There is none more black".

 

[bleedingthought]

Black under the coralline.

 

[Anonymous]

I chose clear, but I have a smaller tank and not much equipment behind it. I forgot to paint the back like I usually do when setting up, and have been keeping the back glass very clean. I like it! It might be odd on a larger tank with a bunch of plumbing though.

Our other tank the background is painted "Blue tang" blue. The color name is a total coincidence BTW, I just looked at chips until I found one I liked, and then noticed the name.

Whatever you do, I think it always looks better if you keep the back glass clean. Makes the overall impression of the tank look like it is "kept up" better. I used to be one who let corraline and macro algae grow all over the back glass, but I think sqeaky clean looks nicer these days.

 

[Anonymous]

I voted Black.

 

[Anonymous]

I voted blue, but I like my blue deeper than what you get from a std. blue acrylic back. - I like it about this shade:

 

[Anonymous]

black

 

[Unarce]

I voted clear, but only if there are no wires and plumbing all over the place. If so, then black.

 

[dnorton1978]

I vote blue, but a dark blue.

 

[Anonymous]

What GD poste looks perfect.

Deep dark blue reminds me of the ocean. I think that is most appropriate for tank backgrounds.

Bright or light blue looks like crap IMHO.

I'd go with black second to dark blue.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

I go black.

I've also become a big fan of Kydex brand thermoplastic for an in tank backing, rather than painting. At least in reef tanks. The plastic can just be removed and cleaned. I like coralline, but I like it on the rocks. This is much easier than trying to clean your back glass.

 

[Anonymous]

I go black.

I've also become a big fan of Kydex brand thermoplastic for an in tank backing, rather than painting. At least in reef tanks. The plastic can just be removed and cleaned. I like coralline, but I like it on the rocks. This is much easier than trying to clean your back glass.

Where do you purchase ?

 

[dnorton1978]

Well you know what they say????

Once you go black you never go back!!! :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

Well you know what they say????

Once you go black you never go back!!! :lol:

:lol: :lol:

 

[stubbsz]

There's no way I can keep mine clean. I've given up on keeping the sides totally coraline free.

 

[Chubosco]

Why do you want to paint it? To hide equipment? Then by all means paint it black. If painting isn't to hide anything, you cheat yourself out of all the life that will and does grow back there. Every once in a while I'll take a razer down portions of the back to grow new life. It's like the weird place and sometimes nice pieces develop from hitchhikers and what not. Rare but it is true. It's like the across the tracks part of town.

 

[Anonymous]

There's no way I can keep mine clean. I've given up on keeping the sides totally coraline free.

Check out my post.

 

[Anonymous]

I go black.

I've also become a big fan of Kydex brand thermoplastic for an in tank backing, rather than painting. At least in reef tanks. The plastic can just be removed and cleaned. I like coralline, but I like it on the rocks. This is much easier than trying to clean your back glass.

Where do you purchase ?

http://interstateplastics.reachlocal.ne ... dex-Ca2009

Public aquariums use this a lot for display tanks. You can cut one piece to size and then have it cover both sides and the back with one smooth curve. Remove it when it gets dirty, scrub it off, replace. Really easy. Another side benefit is that in the back corners you can hide stuff, like airstones, heaters, small powerheads, etc.

 

[bleedingthought]

http://interstateplastics.reachlocal.ne ... dex-Ca2009

Public aquariums use this a lot for display tanks. You can cut one piece to size and then have it cover both sides and the back with one smooth curve. Remove it when it gets dirty, scrub it off, replace. Really easy. Another side benefit is that in the back corners you can hide stuff, like airstones, heaters, small powerheads, etc.

So it's very flexible? What about things (critters, detritus, algae) getting trapped behind it? And do you attach it to the glass using something special or just lodge in there tight?

 

[stubbsz]

There's no way I can keep mine clean. I've given up on keeping the sides totally coraline free.

Check out my post.

D'oh. Thanks Matt. I hadn't spent anything on my tank in like two days; I'm getting me some of that.