DT Background Question...

benzoman · 10/08/2009, 05:38 PM

I was just wondering if everyone would tell me why they use what background they use on their tanks? I don't want to start a huge debate. So just tell me why you use one, if you do, and why you use a specific color, or why you don't.
Every reason I can find seems to be to hide equipment, block light, or just personal preference to aesthetic quality.
I had a local "knowledgeable" reefer tell me I had to use black without asking anything about my setup. I didn't pay attention to his reasoning because I've seen so many tanks with blue or no background I figured it had to be from his own setup experiences. I was using black, but only to block some direct sunlight this summer without having to keep the blinds or curtains drawn. I've had it off for a couple of days and kinda like the difference.
So whats your preferences and experiences?

davocean · 10/08/2009, 05:43 PM

It depends on setup, but black seems to be safest choice, and things seem to pop against that background, and yes, hides equipment.

DC_40gallon · 10/08/2009, 05:47 PM

I use a background

We have a solid color that is a blue that turns dark blue towards the bottom. Got it at Petco for $1.99 a foot.

I personally think that base dark colors are best for saltwater (to accentuate the corraline, live rocks, hermits and snails and then of course your corals and fish).

And of course as things go, I think that a colorful background is best for freshwater lol

thegrun · 10/08/2009, 06:30 PM

I use a black background to hide the sump and equipment behind the DT. I think black brings out the colors in the coral better than blue, but a very dark blue looks nice also.

CoRPS · 10/08/2009, 06:38 PM

After a while your background color wont matter. I chose black and now the only thing I see on my back glass is purple!

Moebuis · 10/08/2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoRPS

After a while your background color wont matter. I chose black and now the only thing I see on my back glass is purple!

My wife make me scrape my coraline off the back pane. I've had both blue and black and like the black much better.

lordofthereef · 10/08/2009, 06:45 PM

I go blue just because it looks more ocean-like to me. Have gone without a background and ultimately it looked like garbage.

CoRPS · 10/08/2009, 07:04 PM

scrape the back pane? that sucks.

benzoman · 10/08/2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoRPS

scrape the back pane? that sucks.

Yeah...That would suck.
I thought about that when my tank was started and I decided long ago that I'll just let the white, pink and mostly purple stuff stay on the back. It'd be a pain to scrape and keep scraped.

Thanks for the answers so far.

I'm still wondering If there is any "function" to having or not having one in place. Such as increased or decreased growth of coraline and such.
Any ideas as to any difference? Without other factors such as windows with direct sunlight causing changes with or without a background.
So far I must assume backgrounds for appearance preference only. Is this assumption correct?

CoRPS · 10/08/2009, 07:44 PM

Seems that way. I don't know of any added benefits besides aesthetics.

Ldesp · 10/09/2009, 06:27 AM

black is the way to go .. if you want blue then go very dark blue .. light blue looks way too artifical.
I never scrape the back pane... its a good place for letting things grow for grazers and for looks.

username in use · 10/09/2009, 06:31 AM

I scrape my back pane too. I only do it once a month with a blade on a stick to get rid of coraline. Snails take care of the green algae. That being said, I currently dont have any backround, but the tank stands about a foot off the wall and you dont really notice anything in the back, Im going to add a black piece of cloth soon though.

Seventy · 10/09/2009, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moebuis

My wife make me scrape my coraline off the back pane. I've had both blue and black and like the black much better.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one.

I run my cords down the edges and back corners so when you look from the front all you can see through the tank is the white wall on the other side.

Ldesp · 10/09/2009, 06:52 AM

try dropping a black sheet behind before comitting to any color =)

10/08/2009, 05:38 PM	#1
benzoman Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mattoon, IL Posts: 8	DT Background Question... I was just wondering if everyone would tell me why they use what background they use on their tanks? I don't want to start a huge debate. So just tell me why you use one, if you do, and why you use a specific color, or why you don't. Every reason I can find seems to be to hide equipment, block light, or just personal preference to aesthetic quality. I had a local "knowledgeable" reefer tell me I had to use black without asking anything about my setup. I didn't pay attention to his reasoning because I've seen so many tanks with blue or no background I figured it had to be from his own setup experiences. I was using black, but only to block some direct sunlight this summer without having to keep the blinds or curtains drawn. I've had it off for a couple of days and kinda like the difference. So whats your preferences and experiences? __________________ Insert your own witty comment or famous quote here. Current Tank Info: 38G Fish, Inverts, Softies...

10/08/2009, 05:43 PM	#2
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	It depends on setup, but black seems to be safest choice, and things seem to pop against that background, and yes, hides equipment. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

10/08/2009, 06:45 PM	#7
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I go blue just because it looks more ocean-like to me. Have gone without a background and ultimately it looked like garbage. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

10/09/2009, 06:31 AM	#12
username in use Sciencing Daily Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6,560	I scrape my back pane too. I only do it once a month with a blade on a stick to get rid of coraline. Snails take care of the green algae. That being said, I currently dont have any backround, but the tank stands about a foot off the wall and you dont really notice anything in the back, Im going to add a black piece of cloth soon though. __________________ Joshua "With fronds like these, who needs anemones?" - Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: multiple nano's sprinkled around the house

10/08/2009, 05:47 PM	#3
DC_40gallon Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,474	I use a background We have a solid color that is a blue that turns dark blue towards the bottom. Got it at Petco for $1.99 a foot. I personally think that base dark colors are best for saltwater (to accentuate the corraline, live rocks, hermits and snails and then of course your corals and fish). And of course as things go, I think that a colorful background is best for freshwater lol

10/08/2009, 06:30 PM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I use a black background to hide the sump and equipment behind the DT. I think black brings out the colors in the coral better than blue, but a very dark blue looks nice also.

10/08/2009, 06:38 PM	#5
CoRPS Big Time Reefer Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: P-RINE Posts: 2,887	After a while your background color wont matter. I chose black and now the only thing I see on my back glass is purple!

10/08/2009, 07:04 PM	#8
CoRPS Big Time Reefer Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: P-RINE Posts: 2,887	scrape the back pane? that sucks.

10/08/2009, 07:44 PM	#10
CoRPS Big Time Reefer Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: P-RINE Posts: 2,887	Seems that way. I don't know of any added benefits besides aesthetics.

10/09/2009, 06:27 AM	#11
Ldesp Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 268	black is the way to go .. if you want blue then go very dark blue .. light blue looks way too artifical. I never scrape the back pane... its a good place for letting things grow for grazers and for looks.

10/09/2009, 06:52 AM	#14
Ldesp Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 268	try dropping a black sheet behind before comitting to any color =)