Background for new tank?

JJCriss · 12/28/2015, 05:21 AM

I have recently gotten into the saltwater tanks. I've been helping my uncle get his 120 back together and it's coming along nicely. He got me a 65 for Christmas that I'm about to start building. I'm curious to others opinions on what to do with the background of the tank. What color or colors? One solid color? Multiple colors? Should I use some sort of paper backdrop or should I paint the back of the tank? If anyone has any pictures to post as examples that would be great.

Dkuhlmann · 12/28/2015, 05:27 AM

The printed background pictures look cheesy IMO. Paint the back either black or dark blue.

Fish Keeper82 · 12/28/2015, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dkuhlmann

The printed background pictures look cheesy IMO. Paint the back either black or dark blue.

+1
I have always done black since it naturally makes the colors of the fish and coral pop out more.

JJCriss · 12/28/2015, 05:39 AM

Yes I agree the prints looks cheesy. I feel like they would also be distracting from what's actually in the tank. No one cares what the background looks like. It should be subtle and almost invisible.

Let's say I go with just black or dark blue. Would it be better to paint, or use some sort of backdrop?

kmbyrnes · 12/28/2015, 05:53 AM

I have used both black and blue. Paint and self-stick backing.
I have no personal preference with color. Either one seems to set the inhabitants off well.

I like paint ( Krylon worked for me ), but it took some prep to be sure the surface was clean and the paint would adhere well.
Painting the tank took 2 weekends to do the prep work and get 3 coats of paint on it.

On the other hand, the self-adhesive in this link is great! http://www.thatpetplace.com/oceanvis...k-30in-by-foot
If I do another tank that needs backing this is what I would use again.
It's kind of expensive compared to the stuff you see at Petco, but I there is no ugly tape or wrinkles and when installed properly, water doesn't get behind it either.
It stays in place and is thick enough to use a magnet cleaner without damage. When I switched tanks, it peeled right off the one and went on the new one in about 30 minutes.

pyithar · 12/28/2015, 06:22 AM

have you checked out this cool thread?

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1868825

gone fishin · 12/28/2015, 09:19 AM

I painted mine but it is covered in coralline now.

MondoBongo · 12/28/2015, 09:26 AM

i painted both of mine black. i've been quite happy with it. my previous tank i didn't cover the back at all, and it always annoyed me.

i used regular interior latex. it took 4 coats, but covered nicely.

thelawnwrangler · 12/28/2015, 09:30 AM

My back is black and I like that the best.

C.Eymann · 12/28/2015, 09:30 AM

I leave my back panel just covered in coralline but I really like the look of the baby/light blue backing. Black makes the colors pop a bit more but too dark IMO.

crankbait09 · 12/28/2015, 11:49 AM

I used black as well. I used a Glidden, semi gloss paint that peels off if I need to remove it. Rather than scraping it and chipping it all off. This is almost like one rubbery coat

12/28/2015, 05:21 AM	#1
JJCriss Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Belleville, IL Posts: 17	Background for new tank? I have recently gotten into the saltwater tanks. I've been helping my uncle get his 120 back together and it's coming along nicely. He got me a 65 for Christmas that I'm about to start building. I'm curious to others opinions on what to do with the background of the tank. What color or colors? One solid color? Multiple colors? Should I use some sort of paper backdrop or should I paint the back of the tank? If anyone has any pictures to post as examples that would be great.

12/28/2015, 05:27 AM	#2
Dkuhlmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,823	The printed background pictures look cheesy IMO. Paint the back either black or dark blue. __________________ Previous tanks: 200 gal fowlr 9" Emperor Angel and many different butterfly fish 4" maroon clown and several other fish, 50 gal sump, 40 gal mixed reef/fish mostly softies and LPS. Current Tank Info: 40b 750 gph 45 lbs lr, 2"-3" sand, 165w full spectrum dimable LED, 20 gal sump/refugium 30 lbs lr, Bak Pak 2 skimmer, 4" sock temp 79-80, sg 1.026, NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 <10, ph 8.2, calc 400, mag 1300

12/28/2015, 05:53 AM	#5
kmbyrnes Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 2,055	I have used both black and blue. Paint and self-stick backing. I have no personal preference with color. Either one seems to set the inhabitants off well. I like paint ( Krylon worked for me ), but it took some prep to be sure the surface was clean and the paint would adhere well. Painting the tank took 2 weekends to do the prep work and get 3 coats of paint on it. On the other hand, the self-adhesive in this link is great! http://www.thatpetplace.com/oceanvis...k-30in-by-foot If I do another tank that needs backing this is what I would use again. It's kind of expensive compared to the stuff you see at Petco, but I there is no ugly tape or wrinkles and when installed properly, water doesn't get behind it either. It stays in place and is thick enough to use a magnet cleaner without damage. When I switched tanks, it peeled right off the one and went on the new one in about 30 minutes. __________________ 125g Mixed Reef 5/26/2015; 350 Butterfly Dominated FOWLR 11/26/2015 - 11/17/20217 & 07/31/18 to ??? ; 100g Mixed Reef 11/16/2013 to 06/16/2017 Current Tank Info: Too small

12/28/2015, 06:22 AM	#6
pyithar Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: yangon,burma(myanmar) Posts: 1,786	have you checked out this cool thread? http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1868825 __________________ take it easy, pyithar Current Tank Info: 150G display, 50G sump, mixed reef

12/28/2015, 09:19 AM	#7
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	I painted mine but it is covered in coralline now. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

12/28/2015, 05:39 AM	#4
JJCriss Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Belleville, IL Posts: 17	Yes I agree the prints looks cheesy. I feel like they would also be distracting from what's actually in the tank. No one cares what the background looks like. It should be subtle and almost invisible. Let's say I go with just black or dark blue. Would it be better to paint, or use some sort of backdrop?

12/28/2015, 09:26 AM	#8
MondoBongo Obligate Feeder Obsessed Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,061	i painted both of mine black. i've been quite happy with it. my previous tank i didn't cover the back at all, and it always annoyed me. i used regular interior latex. it took 4 coats, but covered nicely. __________________ [Citation Needed] "You don't use science to show that you're right, you use science to become right" - xkcd Current Tank Info: A rectangular shaped money pit.

12/28/2015, 09:30 AM	#9
thelawnwrangler Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 863	My back is black and I like that the best.

12/28/2015, 09:30 AM	#10
C.Eymann Cnidaria lover Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Winterpark FL Posts: 1,483	I leave my back panel just covered in coralline but I really like the look of the baby/light blue backing. Black makes the colors pop a bit more but too dark IMO. __________________ "I glue animals to rocks" Current Tank Info: 80gal build in the works