why the BLACK backgrounds

SpilledSalt · 04/02/2011, 03:29 PM

I know it sounds like a stupid question, but why does everyone prefer using a black background for their tank, is it for better showing of your aquascaping, or for absorbtion of a specific light spectrum, or does everyone just think it looks cool? Someone please clue me in on this fad please

souperman · 04/02/2011, 03:33 PM

I want to see what's inside my tank not what's behind it. Plain black makes the back "disappear" in a sense.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

phenom5 · 04/02/2011, 03:35 PM

I like the look, "hides" any pumps a bit, and really makes my corals stand out against the black background.

HanoverFist · 04/02/2011, 03:35 PM

Notice how the giant CPR pre-skimmer, down-tubes, pumps and wires pretty much disappear against my black background. And this is a really bright shot.

It also makes everything that isn't black stand out and look brighter.

Older FTS:

duncantse · 04/02/2011, 04:24 PM

If it's a fowlr tank, I choose blue
Reef tank, I choose black.

DoubleM 10 · 04/02/2011, 04:30 PM

well i have a blue one and a black. just preferance at the time for me.

blue

black

pmrossetti · 04/02/2011, 04:40 PM

I prefer the dark cobalt blue. never seen a black coral reef. I can see it though if you have equipment hanging on back. still like blue though

Playerdrm · 04/02/2011, 04:52 PM

I go with black to hide everything behind the tank and blend in with my powerheads. I tried blue once but I thought the return and powerheads stood out to much.

crobattt · 04/02/2011, 05:21 PM

I think they make the color pop, but i cant decide on the color to put on mine.

JoeRonda · 04/02/2011, 06:19 PM

I put black backgrounds on my freshwater tanks, but my S.W. tank has NO background at all. It is so covered in coraline algae you wouldn't even know if there was or wasn't a B.G. on it.

Mouse · 04/02/2011, 06:49 PM

Black is used to aid in the illusion of depth, IE it masks how far back the tank goes....

greech · 04/02/2011, 06:56 PM

Black definitely hides/blends in because most equipment is black. I have had both black and blue and I like how bright the tank is with a blue background but the contrast of the black with corals is tough to beat.

SpilledSalt · 04/02/2011, 07:10 PM

Thanks for all the input, so its mainly for looks and personal preference, got it

ruvtfan · 04/02/2011, 07:53 PM

I prefer the dark blue as it does remind me of the Carribean. Also to me it provides more depth making the tank look bigger. Just my opinion but blue or black it is what you like.

Look at a lot of the pictures here and find what you prefer.

ORayRay · 04/02/2011, 07:55 PM

I prefer the black

Karp · 04/02/2011, 09:14 PM

the black one for me personally. i have 2 times with the black background.

duncantse · 04/02/2011, 10:17 PM

I vote blue too!

karsseboom · 04/03/2011, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoubleM 10

well i have a blue one and a black. just preferance at the time for me.

blue

black

wow man you need to take those cheesy rocks out asap...lol

04/02/2011, 03:29 PM	#1
SpilledSalt Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Jonesboro Arkansas Posts: 49	why the BLACK backgrounds I know it sounds like a stupid question, but why does everyone prefer using a black background for their tank, is it for better showing of your aquascaping, or for absorbtion of a specific light spectrum, or does everyone just think it looks cool? Someone please clue me in on this fad please

04/02/2011, 03:33 PM	#2
souperman Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 262	I want to see what's inside my tank not what's behind it. Plain black makes the back "disappear" in a sense. Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk __________________ No.

04/02/2011, 03:35 PM	#3
phenom5 Unregistered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,096	I like the look, "hides" any pumps a bit, and really makes my corals stand out against the black background. __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: DSA 155 Pro \| ATI Sunpower \| ATB 840 v2 \| Apex \| Wav

04/02/2011, 04:30 PM	#6
DoubleM 10 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Steamwood, IL Posts: 1,432	well i have a blue one and a black. just preferance at the time for me. blue black __________________ Matt Lions, Groupers and Eels o my! Current Tank Info: Marineland 60Gal ReefReady cube, DIY led, Euroreef Skimmer Ins-80, Mag 9.5 return

04/02/2011, 04:52 PM	#8
Playerdrm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 135	I go with black to hide everything behind the tank and blend in with my powerheads. I tried blue once but I thought the return and powerheads stood out to much. __________________ Reef Tanks: 29g, 55g, 58g FOWLR Tanks: 240g, 125g (In Progress)

04/02/2011, 03:35 PM	#4
HanoverFist Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Phoenix, Az Posts: 626	Notice how the giant CPR pre-skimmer, down-tubes, pumps and wires pretty much disappear against my black background. And this is a really bright shot. It also makes everything that isn't black stand out and look brighter. Older FTS:

04/02/2011, 04:24 PM	#5
duncantse Fish Advisor Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,604	If it's a fowlr tank, I choose blue Reef tank, I choose black.

04/02/2011, 04:40 PM	#7
pmrossetti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 3,199	I prefer the dark cobalt blue. never seen a black coral reef. I can see it though if you have equipment hanging on back. still like blue though

04/02/2011, 05:21 PM	#9
crobattt Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 786	I think they make the color pop, but i cant decide on the color to put on mine.

04/02/2011, 06:19 PM	#10
JoeRonda Made in the U.S.A. Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Washington,PA Posts: 694	I put black backgrounds on my freshwater tanks, but my S.W. tank has NO background at all. It is so covered in coraline algae you wouldn't even know if there was or wasn't a B.G. on it.

04/02/2011, 06:49 PM	#11
Mouse UnRegistered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Rio Linda CA Posts: 739	Black is used to aid in the illusion of depth, IE it masks how far back the tank goes.... __________________ Somedays it just isnt worth gnawing through the straps...... Current Tank Info: 125g > < this close to being set up

04/02/2011, 06:56 PM	#12
greech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 3,133	Black definitely hides/blends in because most equipment is black. I have had both black and blue and I like how bright the tank is with a blue background but the contrast of the black with corals is tough to beat. __________________ ~Graham Current Tank Info: Tank: 40 breeder; 20H sump w/SWC 120; Sicce 3.0 return; Vortech MP-10; Sundial T5, DIY Actinic LED (3W Cree). Livestock: Pair of Black & Whites; Midas Blenny; Firefish; Yasha/pistol; Black Leopard Wrasse; LPS and SPS

04/02/2011, 07:10 PM	#13
SpilledSalt Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Jonesboro Arkansas Posts: 49	Thanks for all the input, so its mainly for looks and personal preference, got it

04/02/2011, 07:53 PM	#14
ruvtfan Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bloomsburg, PA Posts: 87	I prefer the dark blue as it does remind me of the Carribean. Also to me it provides more depth making the tank look bigger. Just my opinion but blue or black it is what you like. Look at a lot of the pictures here and find what you prefer.

04/02/2011, 07:55 PM	#15
ORayRay Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 207	I prefer the black

04/02/2011, 09:14 PM	#16
Karp Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hialeah, Florida Posts: 173	the black one for me personally. i have 2 times with the black background.

04/02/2011, 10:17 PM	#17
duncantse Fish Advisor Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,604	I vote blue too!

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