Back of your tank. To color or not?

[celron]

Hi all,

I know the standard arguments regarding painting / coloring backs of tanks...

I've mainly looked at the Mini's but have yet to see anyone do anything to the back of theirs. Is it considered a "no no" in the Elos world? :p

Does anyone feel it would look better colored?

I'm awaiting delivery of my mini (in Australia) and am trying to decide what, if anything, to do with the back..

Thanks all :)

[LoneStarSA]

I put some black vinal on the back of my mini. I got it from marinedepot. Turned out nice. I would install it before you get the tank setup though. When I ordered mine, it was on back order for 3 weeks before I got it. Was a little harder to install after the tank was installed!

[percula]

I sell the kickin 'Watercolors' background that LoneStar is talking about... its like a window tint... so works fantastic! Todd03Blown installed it on his mini and he loves it! (just gotta get him to post pics! :) )

[picassoman]

yep, used the same stuff, works great and easy to apply. Bce thing for me, I can get my pirahna float back there to clean the glass. Plus if you get tired of it, I'm sure it'll peel off rather easily

[todd03blown]

Yep percula is right, I used it and its great and so easy to put on!! i will get some pictures today!!

[celron]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I appreciate it. Now i've just got to decided, blue or black :)

[chem-e]

I use a black piece of acrylic cut to the size of the wall. I was going to use the tint, but I think I actually like the acrylic better because when I want to scrape off the coraline, I can just remove the whole panel and scrape away or if I get lazy, I can just flip it around. haha

[todd03blown]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13736490#post13736490 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by celron
Thanks for your replies everyone. I appreciate it. Now i've just got to decided, blue or black :)
Black :)

[LoneStarSA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13737481#post13737481 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by todd03blown
Black :)

I second that.

[picassoman]

+3

[Opsanus tau]

4-4 Black

[celron]

haha black it is! I'll order some this evening. Thanks very much for your comments.

chem-e's idea also has me thinking too.....

Cheers all :)

[BobinCovington]

I painted mine and it looks fine

[melt]

i spray paint mine flat back

[kevinlo]

I wonder how much a black background contributes to the temperature rise when the lights are on. That is if you keep it clean.

[todd03blown]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13774869#post13774869 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kevinlo
I wonder how much a black background contributes to the temperature rise when the lights are on. That is if you keep it clean.
my mini with a black background has not had a temp rise at all.

[LoneStarSA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13780258#post13780258 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by todd03blown
my mini with a black background has not had a temp rise at all.

Same results here.

[liver]

I use a plastic cardboard on the INSIDE of the tank called coroplast. I had the local plastic shop cut a bunch of sheets to size and when they get dirty I just toss them since it is cheap. I use black but the beauty is you can change the color at anytime and now I don't have to clean the back since I just change out the sheet.

[belandaaron]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13825431#post13825431 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by liver
I use a plastic cardboard on the INSIDE of the tank called coroplast. I had the local plastic shop cut a bunch of sheets to size and when they get dirty I just toss them since it is cheap. I use black but the beauty is you can change the color at anytime and now I don't have to clean the back since I just change out the sheet.

Now that is an idea that i like! Im gathering its reef safe etc etc etc?

[liver]

it is reef safe, I have used it for over a year now without problems.

[THolleyH46]

I love this stuff, makes great quasi hood. My lights hang over the tank and this stuff (coroplast) is like plastic cardboard. You can cut one side of it with a razorblade and it makes perfect 90 degree bends that stand up fine around the rim of your tank. Great to block the light from metal halides oozing out into your living room if you don't use a hood.

I don't know why every LFS in America doesn't sell this stuff. I found it in Japan at their version of Home Depot, it was everywhere. Seems to be harder to find here. A buddy of mine used this stuff for his cabinet trim, just used velcro to pull it on and off to access his sump.

GREAT STUFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!