Tank Backgrounds, anybody use a mirror??

guserto4 · 06/08/2013, 07:10 AM

I am still in the planning stages of my Big Boy tank (see sig) and while accumulating items I came across an 8' long mirror and came up with the 'great' idea of cutting the thing down so it matched the 9.5' x 15" back side of the tank. Anybody have any experience with using a mirror rather than painting, tinting, rock walling etc. the back of their tank?? Any pictures out there to demonstrate the look?

I'm thinking with 4' of depth and LR, corals, fish, (lagoonish biotope planned) etc. to break up seeing yourself the illusion of a much larger tank could be pulled off fairly well and I'd love to hear of previous experiments!

woodnaquanut · 06/08/2013, 07:18 AM

I have put a hand mirror up against tanks. Certain territorial fish will go nuts. Short term this is OK. It can even be used to distract a bully when adding a new fish.

I don't think it would be good as a permanent feature because of the 'self-aggression'!

squishifishi · 06/08/2013, 07:48 AM

I like the look of it. it is actually very useful because it makes the tank brighter and it gives you a way to look behind the rocks on the back wall. I got rid of mine though because it makes tank photography really hard, especially fts. that's just a personal issue though.
like woodnaquanut said, it also depends on what fish you will have.
good luck!

guserto4 · 06/08/2013, 08:31 AM

Good point, I'll try to steer clear of the more territorial/aggressive fish- But hey with such a big footprint on this tank (38 sq ft before the mirror), maybe there is enough territory for both an aggressive fish and his mirror buddy to live in peace! Maybe, in time, they can even become best friends...

Gary Majchrzak · 06/08/2013, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guserto4

Good point, I'll try to steer clear of the more territorial/aggressive fish- But hey with such a big footprint on this tank (38 sq ft before the mirror), maybe there is enough territory for both an aggressive fish and his mirror buddy to live in peace! Maybe, in time, they can even become best friends...

nope. Sorry. Reconsider using the mirror

velvetelvis · 06/08/2013, 09:13 AM

If you're looking to create a unique background with the illusion of depth, you might want to try something like this: My Shadowbox Background Project. It would be a lot of work, but the results are amazing.

ReefKeeper64 · 06/08/2013, 09:22 AM

I have been considering this mirror idea myself. Seems easy enough to remove if needed.

Gary Majchrzak · 06/08/2013, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReefKeeper64

I have been considering this mirror idea myself. Seems easy enough to remove if needed.

but when do you remove it.. after the fish are stressed and break out with disease?

No doubt the mirror idea (not novel by any means) is an interesting one.

06/08/2013, 07:10 AM	#1
guserto4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Denver Posts: 352	Tank Backgrounds, anybody use a mirror?? I am still in the planning stages of my Big Boy tank (see sig) and while accumulating items I came across an 8' long mirror and came up with the 'great' idea of cutting the thing down so it matched the 9.5' x 15" back side of the tank. Anybody have any experience with using a mirror rather than painting, tinting, rock walling etc. the back of their tank?? Any pictures out there to demonstrate the look? I'm thinking with 4' of depth and LR, corals, fish, (lagoonish biotope planned) etc. to break up seeing yourself the illusion of a much larger tank could be pulled off fairly well and I'd love to hear of previous experiments! __________________ Just trying to get it right Current Tank Info: Under construction: 123g 80x24x16 display & 35g 24x24x16 frag

06/08/2013, 07:48 AM	#3
squishifishi Hopelesly Addicted Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 972	I like the look of it. it is actually very useful because it makes the tank brighter and it gives you a way to look behind the rocks on the back wall. I got rid of mine though because it makes tank photography really hard, especially fts. that's just a personal issue though. like woodnaquanut said, it also depends on what fish you will have. good luck! __________________ ><(((((°>squishifishi! if I say anything stupid...blame autocorrect ;) I love my pico! Come see for yourself, check it out! just search for "pictures at last" in the nano forums:) Current Tank Info: 2.5g pico reef: 5-15hob filter, 10w led light,Stock;neon goby,Pom Pom crab,hermits, astrea, margarita, nassarius, micro brittles, shrooms,palys, xenia, galaxea, zoas,ricordea, litho,chalice,leather,pocci,.WISH LIST:sexy shrimp

06/08/2013, 08:31 AM	#4
guserto4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Denver Posts: 352	Good point, I'll try to steer clear of the more territorial/aggressive fish- But hey with such a big footprint on this tank (38 sq ft before the mirror), maybe there is enough territory for both an aggressive fish and his mirror buddy to live in peace! Maybe, in time, they can even become best friends... __________________ Just trying to get it right Current Tank Info: Under construction: 123g 80x24x16 display & 35g 24x24x16 frag

06/08/2013, 09:13 AM	#6
velvetelvis Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 1,749	If you're looking to create a unique background with the illusion of depth, you might want to try something like this: My Shadowbox Background Project. It would be a lot of work, but the results are amazing. __________________ The sea is as near as we come to another world. --Anne Stevenson

06/08/2013, 07:18 AM	#2
woodnaquanut Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 2,727	I have put a hand mirror up against tanks. Certain territorial fish will go nuts. Short term this is OK. It can even be used to distract a bully when adding a new fish. I don't think it would be good as a permanent feature because of the 'self-aggression'!

06/08/2013, 09:22 AM	#7
ReefKeeper64 Wanna be a reefkeeper Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Tampa Posts: 1,158	I have been considering this mirror idea myself. Seems easy enough to remove if needed.