Tank background color poll

Rapa Nui · 06/01/2009, 08:54 PM

In the process of setting up a 150g RR Marineland.

Can't decide between a deep blue or black paint for the background.

What are your pros...cons...and general preferences?

reefnetworth · 06/01/2009, 08:56 PM

blue gives a better contrast, and reflects light.

FutureBoyGenius · 06/01/2009, 09:02 PM

A black background dissapears more than a blue one. But a dark blue would be nice!

Rapa Nui · 06/01/2009, 09:13 PM

I like dark blue also. What is the best way to paint a tank? What type paint?

Tswifty · 06/01/2009, 09:19 PM

Black. IMO it makes the colors of the corals stand out more.

btw... nice choice on the tank size and placement. Looks like it's going to be a very nice system.

mg426 · 06/01/2009, 09:27 PM

To me it almost came down to a coin toss. My background is black (at the moment)

acrouse · 06/01/2009, 09:33 PM

Black- It gives the tank more depth when looking from the front.
Good luck on your tank!
jolene

Mr James · 06/01/2009, 09:37 PM

On one of my last tanks, I didn't want to paint the back of the tank, just in case I wanted a color change. So I got a roll of film at my LFS (the film is the plastic backing that you tape to the back of the tank). I tacked it to the back wall behind my tank. Looked like I painted it. And I could change if I had wanted.

I see your tank is in-wall, so you may have to figure out a new plan.

euromomtx · 06/01/2009, 09:40 PM

Color will come. I just don't scrape the back...

Flipper62 · 06/01/2009, 09:49 PM

I gotta go with the Black. I have to agree with Tswifty, The corals look awesome with a black backround. The black gives a good true dark depth to the tank. Kinda like when your diving.

Mr James · 06/01/2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

by Flipper62
I gotta go with the Black. I have to agree with Tswifty, The corals look awesome with a black backround. The black gives a good true dark depth to the tank. Kinda like when your diving.

Your mailbox is full.....

Toddrtrex · 06/01/2009, 10:02 PM

It is going to be a personal choice, I have 3 tanks 2 have blue and one is black (( bought that one used, and was painted )). While I like the black one, I prefer blue for myself. If it is possible, you could get one of those dual sided vinyl backgrounds and decide for yourself -- and if you want paint it once you decide.

Flipper62 · 06/01/2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr James
Your mailbox is full.....

Not sure what you mean. I dont have a email set up for anyone to send emails too. SO I'm not sure how its full.

beefcake · 06/01/2009, 10:24 PM

Black

Agu · 06/01/2009, 10:30 PM

My nano tanks are blue and I like it, but I can see everything in the tank.

When I had a 180 there was no back color and I liked being able to see what was growing in the back of the tank. My wife thought I was weird going behind the tank to see hidden life forms.

spleify · 06/01/2009, 10:35 PM

All my tanks are black. My newest one I have been keeping clean, so nothing grows on it and stays nice and clean. I am loving it.

Flipper62 · 06/01/2009, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Agu
My nano tanks are blue and I like it, but I can see everything in the tank.

When I had a 180 there was no back color and I liked being able to see what was growing in the back of the tank. My wife thought I was weird going behind the tank to see hidden life forms.

Hhhmmm....Agu, You just gave me a thought, Thank You

I have set up some Night Vision video cams on my tanks in the past & have cought some AWESOME nightlife activity.

Since my 180 seams to keep being a ( work in progress tank ) I now am thinking of keeping the back open, or maybe some spots open & placeing the Night Vision cameras back there.

drummereef · 06/01/2009, 11:09 PM

Darn, I was looking forward to voting.

No poll......

I prefer black. Colors pop against a clean algae free backdrop imo. It's some maintenance keeping coralline off the back and sides but totally worth it. I'm going to use Coroplast plastic sheet as my background on my 180. That way I can easily remove it when I want to see or clean behind the aquascape.

Alaskan Reefer · 06/01/2009, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Agu
My nano tanks are blue and I like it, but I can see everything in the tank.

When I had a 180 there was no back color and I liked being able to see what was growing in the back of the tank. My wife thought I was weird going behind the tank to see hidden life forms.

Mine is clear with a mirror behind it. I like looking into the overflows and at pods behind the rock structure. +1 on it's kind of weird.

MartinEric · 06/02/2009, 03:46 AM

I might be one of the weird ones as well, I took a piece of the thinner clear plastic and had it cut to the size of the glass, then I just painted it black with fusion paint. I have it held in place with a shure flow magnet, so I can change it out/look in the back of the tank if I get the urge to.

kzickovich · 06/02/2009, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rapa Nui
I like dark blue also. What is the best way to paint a tank? What type paint?

Mine is painted dark blue and I used Krylon Fusion spray paint

terryagi · 06/02/2009, 06:45 AM

I spray painted the outside back of my tank with a couple coats of black Krylon Fusion paint.

agreeive?fish · 06/02/2009, 07:15 AM

The only colored back tank i have ever had was black and i HATED it infact i just took the paint off the back a few days ago

Mr James · 06/02/2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

by Flipper62
Not sure what you mean. I dont have a email set up for anyone to send emails too. SO I'm not sure how its full.

Your PM Box is full. Thought you'd understand the context here... One gets this message when trying to PM you. Just trying to help.

This user's mailbox is currently full, and cannot be sent any messages until it is cleaned out. An email has been sent notifying the user of this. Please try your request at a later time.

jhoff · 06/02/2009, 02:35 PM

Dark blue for me...

06/01/2009, 08:54 PM	#1
Rapa Nui Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Nebraska Posts: 23	Tank background color poll In the process of setting up a 150g RR Marineland. Can't decide between a deep blue or black paint for the background. What are your pros...cons...and general preferences?

06/01/2009, 08:56 PM	#2
reefnetworth Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 3,810	blue gives a better contrast, and reflects light. __________________ GIVE A MAN A FISH, YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY. TEACH A MAN TO FISH, HE FEEDS HIMSELF FOR LIFE. (NEVER, underestimate another man's greed) Current Tank Info: SPS dominated barebottom display with BB sump since 2005, most consistant parameters in 19+ years of reefkeeping.

06/01/2009, 09:02 PM	#3
FutureBoyGenius Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 354	A black background dissapears more than a blue one. But a dark blue would be nice! __________________ ~Addicted to Salt~ Current Tank Info: Planning my next build

06/01/2009, 09:19 PM	#5
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Black. IMO it makes the colors of the corals stand out more. btw... nice choice on the tank size and placement. Looks like it's going to be a very nice system. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

06/01/2009, 09:27 PM	#6
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	To me it almost came down to a coin toss. My background is black (at the moment) __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

06/01/2009, 09:13 PM	#4
Rapa Nui Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Nebraska Posts: 23	I like dark blue also. What is the best way to paint a tank? What type paint?

06/01/2009, 09:33 PM	#7
acrouse Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ackworth Posts: 473	Black- It gives the tank more depth when looking from the front. Good luck on your tank! jolene

06/01/2009, 09:37 PM	#8
Mr James Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kernersville, NC Posts: 6,192	On one of my last tanks, I didn't want to paint the back of the tank, just in case I wanted a color change. So I got a roll of film at my LFS (the film is the plastic backing that you tape to the back of the tank). I tacked it to the back wall behind my tank. Looked like I painted it. And I could change if I had wanted. I see your tank is in-wall, so you may have to figure out a new plan.

06/01/2009, 09:40 PM	#9
euromomtx Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 742 Blog Entries: 3	Color will come. I just don't scrape the back... __________________ Karin Current Tank Info: 215g Caribbean Inspired Reef with Shadowbox

06/01/2009, 09:49 PM	#10
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	I gotta go with the Black. I have to agree with Tswifty, The corals look awesome with a black backround. The black gives a good true dark depth to the tank. Kinda like when your diving. __________________ If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside." Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay. Hobby Experience: 19 years Reef...22 years FW

06/01/2009, 10:02 PM	#12
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	It is going to be a personal choice, I have 3 tanks 2 have blue and one is black (( bought that one used, and was painted )). While I like the black one, I prefer blue for myself. If it is possible, you could get one of those dual sided vinyl backgrounds and decide for yourself -- and if you want paint it once you decide. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

06/01/2009, 10:24 PM	#14
beefcake Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: St. Charles, Mo. Posts: 696	Black __________________ Adventure. Heh! Excitement. Heh! A Jedi craves not these things. Current Tank Info: 92 gal. corner bowfront, 110 lb fiji, eco-system refugium, 250w Halide w/ 240w of PC lights

06/01/2009, 10:30 PM	#15
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	My nano tanks are blue and I like it, but I can see everything in the tank. When I had a 180 there was no back color and I liked being able to see what was growing in the back of the tank. My wife thought I was weird going behind the tank to see hidden life forms. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

06/01/2009, 10:35 PM	#16
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	All my tanks are black. My newest one I have been keeping clean, so nothing grows on it and stays nice and clean. I am loving it. __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

06/01/2009, 11:09 PM	#18
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Darn, I was looking forward to voting. No poll...... I prefer black. Colors pop against a clean algae free backdrop imo. It's some maintenance keeping coralline off the back and sides but totally worth it. I'm going to use Coroplast plastic sheet as my background on my 180. That way I can easily remove it when I want to see or clean behind the aquascape. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

06/02/2009, 03:46 AM	#20
MartinEric Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Middle O' Missouri Posts: 189	I might be one of the weird ones as well, I took a piece of the thinner clear plastic and had it cut to the size of the glass, then I just painted it black with fusion paint. I have it held in place with a shure flow magnet, so I can change it out/look in the back of the tank if I get the urge to. __________________ __________ Eric "Just A Couple Of Pints And A Sing Song" Current Tank Info: 15gal long, 2x65w Pc, Remora HOT skimmer, softies no fish. 30gal breeder, 6x39w t-5, Remora HOT skimmer, Mixed reef. 20gal long, 2x65w Pc, frag tank.

06/02/2009, 06:45 AM	#22
terryagi Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 143	I spray painted the outside back of my tank with a couple coats of black Krylon Fusion paint.

06/02/2009, 07:15 AM	#23
agreeive?fish Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,803	The only colored back tank i have ever had was black and i HATED it infact i just took the paint off the back a few days ago

06/02/2009, 02:35 PM	#25
jhoff Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Edison New Jersey Posts: 1,082	Dark blue for me...