Background Color

[zchauvin]

Alright, browsing the web and what not searching for ideas on background color and I found something I like. I'm not a fan of clear and don't want black as I don't really want to have the dark look. I ended up finding this tank on DaniReef but couldn't translate the information. If anyone knows of this system or has an idea how to mimic the background I'm all ears. Having tried many things in the past I never was able to achieve close to this.




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[dastrder]

Unorthodox but worked for me:

I bought a blue plastic table cloth from the dollar store. (It's darker than the pic above). I then taped it to the back on top and bottom and sides. Has held up great and looks good.

It is than also easily changeable if you ever want to.

Here is a picture but it appears darker in the picture.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/357747...n/photostream/



Edit: Not sure how to post pictures that show up without clicking the link

[zchauvin]

Yeah I've done the whole tape on, and dry on tint, and paint but wasn't ever really satisfied lol.


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[dastrder]

I agree that the tank you posted is a great look! Following along now.

[lespaul339]

It looks like this background in "seascape" to me.
It's not an exact match, but it's pretty close.



http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...3&pcatid=21123

[j_mazzy]

It looks like a blue background with great light refraction....

[rza007]

That tank is beautiful. Paint will do the trick. Perhaps plasticity? Don't tape a poster to the back.

[Reef Frog]

The pic in the first post looks like its a translucent appliqué of some time that is back lit. I think that could be achieved by doing two layers of thin acrylic, plastic sheets or a very thin plastic membrane. The first & inner layer would be painted blue with clear or negative space left where the light is to be depicted. The second layer would all be frosted white and perhaps back lit. Or maybe blue paint applied directly on the back panel with frosted white paint applied over negative space. My guess is the best results would be with an airbrush.

There was a post on RC a few months ago where somebody was trying to duplicate the look of the displays at the Waikiki Aquarium in Hawaii where a light dappled infinity background is used to good effect.

Another possibility is a shadow box. There is a project thread on this topic somewhere on RC.

[Becks]

I have black, but I wonder what a deep purple would look like.

[JohnnyHildo]

mine is exactly like you have pictured and is more or less just vinyl wrap. the benefit is it's easily removable, sits completely flush against the glass and the obvious one... covers cords and pipes.

[Sonyardo]

I saw something very similar to that the other day at Hobby Lobby in the Poster board section.

[NeilFox]

You should check out some of the really nice freshwater planted tanks. They use light boxes in the background that give an amazing depth of field and color. Here is a link to some https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP3EGZPxcUA . I have seen a few in Asia. I wold like to do this myself in future but it is rather ambitious. My job has me moving around too much right now.

[IowaReefer]

If you don't scrape the coraline algae off religiously it won't matter what color the back of your tank is. Just a point to consider before tearing into a project.

[JohnnyHildo]

Originally Posted by IowaReefer

If you don't scrape the coraline algae off religiously it won't matter what color the back of your tank is. Just a point to consider before tearing into a project.

true, if you don't scrape the tank coraline will result. in the 7 months i've had the system running i've scraped the tank 2 times and both were for green hair algae early on in.
my pukani is currently 75% covered in coraline and the glass has accumulated a very small amount. it isn't in need of any more than 5 minutes of my time and can easily be done during routine maintenance.
to say it needs cleaning "religiously" is a little strong

[IowaReefer]

Just trying to provide some insight, but what do I know, I have only been doing the reef thing 15 years. IME, I would need to hand scrape the back glass at least once every other week to keep it free of coraline. Additionally, I would need to design a rock scape that would allow me to get my hand back there. I tried the background thing once, it ended up being more work than it was worth for me.

[L8Braker]

Its just a blue painted with lights close to the back edge of the aquarium.

I just did the exact opposite on my tank, painted it a darker blue and have intentionally angled my rear led's toward the front so the last 8" of depth are not lit up(300DD). Trying to give the idea of no back/end to the tank vs highlighting it the way you've shown that picture.

[zchauvin]

Thanks guys


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[zchauvin]

After looking through the pages it seems to just be a white painted background and the use of 14k halides gives the look.




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[L8Braker]

Crazy would have never guessed white background! The original photo does look a little color enhanced though. Glad you found the info you want. Just make sure you have access to the back of the tank for scraping with your normal maintenance. Post pics once done.

[lionfish300]

Originally Posted by IowaReefer

Just trying to provide some insight, but what do I know, I have only been doing the reef thing 15 years. IME, I would need to hand scrape the back glass at least once every other week to keep it free of coraline. Additionally, I would need to design a rock scape that would allow me to get my hand back there. I tried the background thing once, it ended up being more work than it was worth for me.

My is painted black by the manufacture. I like to keep it clean free of everything . Keeping it that way is no easy job with 36" front to back

[KMS.Kyle]

Dark blue is the way to go - adds such a beautiful look.

I used dollar store cutting board paper (not the cheap stuff) - was only $80 cents a piece and you cut it to fit.

[ReefsandGeeks]

Just a tip for a clean look, When I put the wrap on theb ack of my tank, I cover the back fo the tank with vegitable oil, rubbing it on with my hand and a latex glove. Then stick the background cover to it, squeegeeing the bubbles out with a credit card. When you're done the background will be seamless, bubble free, and no adhesive or anything. The oil keeps it on as long as you want, and it can be removed if you ever decide to change the color.

[karimwassef]

I use a backlit blue screen









My corals and fish block most of it now, but it was a good look before it got built up:

[Salty150]

Wow, at first I really liked it...

Trying to figure out how it would look with my setup.