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TheDouda
03/09/2015, 07:19 PM
Besides visuals is there any advantages to a black background or any background on a tank? I had a black background I taped on the back of my tank it looks good but when cleaning the glass it's a big pain I took it off and really don't mind the look of no background. The only thing I could think of is light idk if it would reflect light back into the tank but it being black wouldn't seem like it would do much http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/03/09/f683b8a7789a840810fde1a710426ec3.jpg

thegrun
03/09/2015, 08:33 PM
I think a black background works best to show off the colors of the corals and fish.

pyithar
03/09/2015, 10:13 PM
i personally like black backgrounds but i think you should do what makes you happy. since your background is not permanent like mine(i painted mine), you could take it off and see if you like it for a while. if it doesn't work, tape the background back. :)

Jjv123
03/10/2015, 05:15 AM
I used plasti dip - rustoleum product. It is completely removeable, if you do not like it for some reason. It looks just like real paint on glass.

kenpau
03/10/2015, 05:22 AM
I have a frosted back on mine, I like that it kind of looks like you're looking into the distance, the only drawback for me is that you can see cables and overflow pipes. I've hidden the lighting cables in this pic but cant think of a way to hide the overflow pipes unfortunately.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7351/16569620376_0577a1b2c2_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rfcCRW)Photo on 21-02-2015 at 7.47 am #2 (https://flic.kr/p/rfcCRW) by kenpau01 (https://www.flickr.com/people/72958087@N05/), on Flickr

fishgate
03/10/2015, 05:34 AM
I use a dark blue plastic sheet background for the new tank. The old one had a rock wall. It has two sides, blue and black. It is removable for cleaning and maintenance from the rear.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=19785

TheDouda
03/10/2015, 05:37 AM
So with the people that painted the back can you still use the magnets to clean your glass without scratching the paint

Ktm898
03/10/2015, 05:44 AM
i think black back is best also.

CuzzA
03/10/2015, 05:52 AM
If my overflow boxes weren't on the back top I would do the ultimate background, a shadow box. Instead I use auto tint which still allows the use of a magnet algae scrapper to keep the back glass clean. If you're not cleaning the back glass it really doesn't matter as it will be covered in coralline algae in a year or so. Seeing the back wall, plumbing and wires would bother me for that time period though, so I would still use auto tint. :)

kmbyrnes
03/10/2015, 06:53 AM
I used this background.
It goes on with a little soapy water, stays on when using a magnet cleaner and I was able to re-use it when I switched tanks.
It looks much better than the tape-on stuff, and is not as permanent as paint.

http://www.thatpetplace.com/oceanvisions-background-crystal-black-30in-by-foot?sc=10&category=1690

supervdl
03/10/2015, 06:54 AM
Black background not even a question IMO.

scooter31707
03/10/2015, 06:59 AM
I use a black piece of cardboard from Michaels that is $3. they come in blue or black, just cut it to size and use double sided tape.

Waters40
03/10/2015, 07:36 AM
I painted the back a dark blue with latex paint.

tidus10
03/10/2015, 08:19 AM
Plasti-dip works surprisingly well..

but im a krylon guy myself paint it black and forget about it..

brittonv
03/10/2015, 08:36 AM
So with the people that painted the back can you still use the magnets to clean your glass without scratching the paint

Sorry, you do know the paint is outside of the tank right? I can't get behind my tank to use a magnet nor do I really try to clean my back glass. When I do I use a scrapper on a stick thing....

Mythicalelf
03/10/2015, 08:46 AM
I like the black background best but any is better than none to me cause i hate seeing pipes and cables.

igot2gats
03/10/2015, 08:48 AM
Yeah, your best bet to clean the back glass is an aglae scrapper on a stick.

TheDouda
03/10/2015, 11:37 AM
yea i def know the paint is on the outside lol i might just leave it i can walk all the way around my tank so its nice to see what all is going on back there at least for now lol

TheDouda
03/10/2015, 11:38 AM
ill prob go with auto tint if i get sick of it though i got tons of that stuff at work

EvolutionIsALie
03/10/2015, 02:13 PM
Always background, creates depth to tank when looking and allows the fish to relax more

koko maung
03/10/2015, 02:52 PM
I vote for no blackground! ;P

brittonv
03/10/2015, 08:31 PM
yea i def know the paint is on the outside lol

LOL, yah figured as much but never tank anything for granted I guess. Best of luck to you!!

reef4life07
03/10/2015, 08:44 PM
Black background, it's a no brainer.

supervdl
03/10/2015, 09:12 PM
I painted it with black paint. Rolled it on with a small roller.

A sea K
03/11/2015, 05:59 AM
I have a frosted back on mine, I like that it kind of looks like you're looking into the distance, the only drawback for me is that you can see cables and overflow pipes. I've hidden the lighting cables in this pic but cant think of a way to hide the overflow pipes unfortunately.

I've not seen that before. Is the glass itself frosted prior to building the tank or is it an after treatment?

kenpau
03/11/2015, 07:28 AM
I've not seen that before. Is the glass itself frosted prior to building the tank or is it an after treatment?

No it's an after treatment. It does look better than it shows in the pic, however I still have the issue of seeing overflow pipes through the glass, am going to create a couple of rock structures to hide them. My wall behind the tank is a blue/grey kind of colour which adds to the depth of field look, if you had red walls you might want to go another way!!

jpmwjm
03/11/2015, 08:02 AM
I used a blue reflective background. It works well with the lighting and as the coralline algea srated to grow i thought it provided a neat look.

Pigpen17
03/11/2015, 11:03 AM
No it's an after treatment. It does look better than it shows in the pic, however I still have the issue of seeing overflow pipes through the glass, am going to create a couple of rock structures to hide them. My wall behind the tank is a blue/grey kind of colour which adds to the depth of field look, if you had red walls you might want to go another way!!

I really like that idea. I used to have a black background on my 65, and I liked it a lot, but on my new tank I enjoy the perception of depth that no background provides. But I don't go crazy mad about seeing some equipment either. I know some can't stand that.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/pigpen_/IMG_1319.jpg (http://s17.photobucket.com/user/pigpen_/media/IMG_1319.jpg.html)

I can still tidy up the wires and such.

A sea K
03/12/2015, 01:30 PM
No it's an after treatment. It does look better than it shows in the pic, however I still have the issue of seeing overflow pipes through the glass, am going to create a couple of rock structures to hide them. My wall behind the tank is a blue/grey kind of colour which adds to the depth of field look, if you had red walls you might want to go another way!!

Very interesting, could you share the process?
I was on the fence over whether or not to use a painted background and I opted to do so, I'm not 100% crazy about it and this frosting technique might be just what I'm looking for. Tank is currently up and running but I do have limited access back there, I hope it is enough. Either way it would be good information to have for the next build.

Cloby86
03/12/2015, 01:39 PM
Black! I pulled into a auto window tint place and asked if they had anything that would work. For $6 he sold me 5' of a black opaque tint (it is solid, no light goes thru) spray a little water on the outside of the tank and squeegee it on.. has held up great for almost 10 years and 2 moves. highly recommend it. very simple, holds up great, and its not permanent.