Most attractive Background color for tank?

Mtown · 12/12/2006, 06:16 PM

What color should I spray paint or use background paper to have the best, most attractive looking saltwater tank?

Also I'm wondering if spray painting is better than putting backgorund paper because I'm afraid that spray painting won't allow me to change the background afterwards.

thankss

silkione · 12/12/2006, 06:19 PM

I like the look of black as a background. My tank has a blue one which takes away from the color of everything i think. Im not sure spray painting is the best way to go. If it is an empty tank then sure. But i wouldnt chance it if it has livestock in it.

GL · 12/12/2006, 06:21 PM

If you are worried you won't like the color then you better get a background.

The best color, well that is in the eye of the beholder.

Most popular is dark blue or black.

cilyjr · 12/12/2006, 06:22 PM

you can pant the back if you want. but in order to change it you would have to scrape it off thats for sure. i did black

popimp06 · 12/12/2006, 06:49 PM

they got a blue/black double sided at most lfs

Rockitmakr · 12/12/2006, 08:51 PM

I second GL's thoughts........I like black though....IMHO...

carlos_fb · 12/12/2006, 09:26 PM

I like it blue, I think it looks more natural. I got 1/8" acrylic sheets matching the color of my overflow box. I have a picture of it in my gallery, check it out.

fishaholic911 · 12/12/2006, 09:37 PM

Once you go black you will never go back. Alot of the locals here are using a foam on the inside of the glass it looks like natural rockwork. Check it out http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=987905

Ironsheikh · 12/12/2006, 09:40 PM

if your going ot paint then black --but I like something differnet so I go online and research different marble wallpapers

I had a nice tan marble/gold one for a while I think you can see in my pics and now I have a nice burgundy/gold marble --Ive never seen anyone else w/ one ...I find it matches the red algae thats plaguing my tank LOL

Ive also had a custom mirror cut for the back of a 20g tank once then I White marble stone coated the tank molding and hood it looked really classy then my family GAVE IT AWAY before I realized it was gone

Ironsheikh · 12/12/2006, 09:43 PM

Here's another idea I thought about .... cut eggcrate to fit your back wall then aragacrete it into a stone wall w/ outcroppings

then you dont have to foam anything plus its beneficial -- and I def cant afford REEF CERAMIC

Im always thinking up stuff .......... yet Im still poor LOL

ACBlinky · 12/12/2006, 10:26 PM

I've tried several blues, but I always go back to black. It hides equipment, makes fish and corals pop, and doesn't take away from anything in the tank (some blues are visually distracting IMO). It does indicate great depth, which frustrated me as I wanted my current tank to look like the shallows -- I nearly went with a light blue/'seafoam' colour, but chickened out when I couldn't find spraypaint the right colour and went back to good old black. It looks nice, just not the way I envisioned the tank.

Nano Chris · 12/12/2006, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ironsheikh
if your going ot paint then black --but I like something differnet so I go online and research different marble wallpapers

I had a nice tan marble/gold one for a while I think you can see in my pics and now I have a nice burgundy/gold marble --Ive never seen anyone else w/ one ...I find it matches the red algae thats plaguing my tank LOL

Ive also had a custom mirror cut for the back of a 20g tank once then I White marble stone coated the tank molding and hood it looked really classy then my family GAVE IT AWAY before I realized it was gone

Now thats the creativity there! I think it would be nice to have a mirror on the back of a tank

I myself would prefer a marine blue, or maybe black, I'm going to buy both and ill be able to decide then

drummereef · 12/12/2006, 11:16 PM

I've had blue and black on my tank and by far prefer the black. It really makes the fish and coral colors pop and hides the rest of the mechanicals nicely.

Rockitmakr · 12/13/2006, 05:18 AM

Keep this in mind as well, after time coraline will start to take over & it seems that cleaning the back of the tank tends to go to the back burner. As nice as it might look in the beginning, once your reef begins to grow, you will find yourself looking at the background less & less.....IMO.

Shagsbeard · 12/13/2006, 05:42 AM

I like my tank viewable from 360 degrees... so no paint for me! But I'd really think that the color of the back of your tank would depend a lot on what was surounding the tank. Give us a picture of the tank, or the location the tank will be in.

cveverly · 12/13/2006, 05:56 AM

I used the paper background found at your LFS. It was blue on one side and black on the other. I like the black a lot better. I thought about the paint but don't like the idea of it getting scratched.

tedmc2 · 12/13/2006, 10:37 AM

I'd suggest black. I painted mine blue thinking it would look more natural, but now I think the coral and fish colors would stand out better against a black background.

yakfishin · 12/13/2006, 12:26 PM

I used just the waterproof paper that the LFS had, blue on one side but reversible to black, but I find it hard to get positioned so that there aren't any wrinkles in the paper. But then I have 3 vortech pumps that I had to cut around, and a 6 ft tank that is only 5 inches away from the wall, so I had a hard time placing and taping it. Once I have decided on the color that I want to be permanent, then I'm going to order one of the better vinyl backings- I think they will go one smoother without the wrinkles. I may also do something such as ironsheikh suggested, to make the background not appear to be a background at all- but just more live rock, but that is a project that will have to wait for awhile.

savethereef · 12/13/2006, 06:07 PM

i like black better. when you get a blue its harder to keep clean and a black meh you can just leave it. Besides pink coraline looks nicer on black. but it prefeence i have had 3 tank and all black my little 3g pico i did a bluebackground i really dont like it i will swp it out soon

Cloby86 · 12/14/2006, 08:24 AM

definately black. I went to a local window tint shop and they gave me a solid black film (not a tint, it is opaque) that worked great and it only cost me 6 bucks. I am very happy with it

Pete1399 · 12/14/2006, 10:53 PM

You have all convinced me to go to black.

audioaddiction · 12/15/2006, 01:23 AM

BLACK is where it's at. i brush painted the outside of mine black it makes everything really stand out compared to blue. also it camoflages power filters and heaters and all the other stuff. what would be very cool would be to thinly brush the back in black, which leaves lots of clear streaks. then paint a second layer of blue or if youre really creative, greens and blues which would look amazing through it.

Fireworm · 12/15/2006, 02:45 AM

I put several coats of black on mine. I used the chalkboard paint, I liled because it was a dull black and IMO hides things better.

staticx · 12/15/2006, 07:54 AM

Ahhh blue reminds me of petco and imo looks terrible. I would go with black

cristhiam · 12/15/2006, 08:26 AM

Mine is coraline and xenia

12/12/2006, 06:16 PM	#1
Mtown Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 88	Most attractive Background color for tank? What color should I spray paint or use background paper to have the best, most attractive looking saltwater tank? Also I'm wondering if spray painting is better than putting backgorund paper because I'm afraid that spray painting won't allow me to change the background afterwards. thankss

12/12/2006, 06:21 PM	#3
GL Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: NE Pa Posts: 921	If you are worried you won't like the color then you better get a background. The best color, well that is in the eye of the beholder. Most popular is dark blue or black. __________________ Life shouldn't be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely, but rather to skid in sideways, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!' Current Tank Info: 90 AGA, 30 gal sump, 6 x 54w T5, ER cs8-1

12/12/2006, 06:22 PM	#4
cilyjr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,683	you can pant the back if you want. but in order to change it you would have to scrape it off thats for sure. i did black __________________ Cls Current Tank Info: 180 inwall, 75 sump, 20lfrag, 3x lumen max elite w/250w radium 20k, recirc modded asm g-3, aqua controller apex,2x rw-20, 350lbs LR

12/12/2006, 06:49 PM	#5
popimp06 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: the hood Posts: 386	they got a blue/black double sided at most lfs __________________ what it do Current Tank Info: 75 aga. 80lbs fiji live rock 45lbs live sand 3 t5s.

12/12/2006, 08:51 PM	#6
Rockitmakr Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Merritt Island, Florida Posts: 630	I second GL's thoughts........I like black though....IMHO... __________________ Cheers & Happy Reefing! "You win some, lose some, and wreck some."- Dale Earnhardt. Current Tank Info: 250 Gal. Reef with Softies and SPS-LPS's. A few fishies as well.

12/12/2006, 06:19 PM	#2
silkione Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: california Posts: 54	I like the look of black as a background. My tank has a blue one which takes away from the color of everything i think. Im not sure spray painting is the best way to go. If it is an empty tank then sure. But i wouldnt chance it if it has livestock in it.

12/12/2006, 09:26 PM	#7
carlos_fb Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 879	I like it blue, I think it looks more natural. I got 1/8" acrylic sheets matching the color of my overflow box. I have a picture of it in my gallery, check it out.

12/12/2006, 09:37 PM	#8
fishaholic911 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 2,822	Once you go black you will never go back. Alot of the locals here are using a foam on the inside of the glass it looks like natural rockwork. Check it out http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=987905 __________________ happiness is like peeing in your pants everyone can see it, but no one feels the warmth as you do. Current Tank Info: 80 gallon, vertex 150 skimmer, 2 mars aqua 165 watt leds and 2MP40WQD

12/12/2006, 09:40 PM	#9
Ironsheikh Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: SYRACUSE NY Posts: 1,124	if your going ot paint then black --but I like something differnet so I go online and research different marble wallpapers I had a nice tan marble/gold one for a while I think you can see in my pics and now I have a nice burgundy/gold marble --Ive never seen anyone else w/ one ...I find it matches the red algae thats plaguing my tank LOL Ive also had a custom mirror cut for the back of a 20g tank once then I White marble stone coated the tank molding and hood it looked really classy then my family GAVE IT AWAY before I realized it was gone __________________ You have been weighed... You have been measured... YOU have been found wanting! Current Tank Info: 20G fowlr some zoas Last edited by Ironsheikh; 12/12/2006 at 09:56 PM.

12/12/2006, 09:43 PM	#10
Ironsheikh Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: SYRACUSE NY Posts: 1,124	Here's another idea I thought about .... cut eggcrate to fit your back wall then aragacrete it into a stone wall w/ outcroppings then you dont have to foam anything plus its beneficial -- and I def cant afford REEF CERAMIC Im always thinking up stuff .......... yet Im still poor LOL __________________ You have been weighed... You have been measured... YOU have been found wanting! Current Tank Info: 20G fowlr some zoas

12/12/2006, 10:26 PM	#11
ACBlinky Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada Posts: 4,954 Blog Entries: 20	I've tried several blues, but I always go back to black. It hides equipment, makes fish and corals pop, and doesn't take away from anything in the tank (some blues are visually distracting IMO). It does indicate great depth, which frustrated me as I wanted my current tank to look like the shallows -- I nearly went with a light blue/'seafoam' colour, but chickened out when I couldn't find spraypaint the right colour and went back to good old black. It looks nice, just not the way I envisioned the tank. __________________ "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC.

12/12/2006, 11:16 PM	#13
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	I've had blue and black on my tank and by far prefer the black. It really makes the fish and coral colors pop and hides the rest of the mechanicals nicely. __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

12/13/2006, 05:18 AM	#14
Rockitmakr Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Merritt Island, Florida Posts: 630	Keep this in mind as well, after time coraline will start to take over & it seems that cleaning the back of the tank tends to go to the back burner. As nice as it might look in the beginning, once your reef begins to grow, you will find yourself looking at the background less & less.....IMO. __________________ Cheers & Happy Reefing! "You win some, lose some, and wreck some."- Dale Earnhardt. Current Tank Info: 250 Gal. Reef with Softies and SPS-LPS's. A few fishies as well.

12/13/2006, 05:42 AM	#15
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	I like my tank viewable from 360 degrees... so no paint for me! But I'd really think that the color of the back of your tank would depend a lot on what was surounding the tank. Give us a picture of the tank, or the location the tank will be in.

12/13/2006, 05:56 AM	#16
cveverly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Port Clinton, Oh Posts: 1,470	I used the paper background found at your LFS. It was blue on one side and black on the other. I like the black a lot better. I thought about the paint but don't like the idea of it getting scratched.

12/13/2006, 10:37 AM	#17
tedmc2 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 384	I'd suggest black. I painted mine blue thinking it would look more natural, but now I think the coral and fish colors would stand out better against a black background. __________________ In a world gone mad, only a lunatic’s truly insane - Homer Simpson Current Tank Info: 18" cube, 12" cube, ADA MINI-S

12/13/2006, 12:26 PM	#18
yakfishin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 696	I used just the waterproof paper that the LFS had, blue on one side but reversible to black, but I find it hard to get positioned so that there aren't any wrinkles in the paper. But then I have 3 vortech pumps that I had to cut around, and a 6 ft tank that is only 5 inches away from the wall, so I had a hard time placing and taping it. Once I have decided on the color that I want to be permanent, then I'm going to order one of the better vinyl backings- I think they will go one smoother without the wrinkles. I may also do something such as ironsheikh suggested, to make the background not appear to be a background at all- but just more live rock, but that is a project that will have to wait for awhile.

12/13/2006, 06:07 PM	#19
savethereef SCRK Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bellflower 90706 CA (So Cal) Posts: 7,720	i like black better. when you get a blue its harder to keep clean and a black meh you can just leave it. Besides pink coraline looks nicer on black. but it prefeence i have had 3 tank and all black my little 3g pico i did a bluebackground i really dont like it i will swp it out soon __________________ Instead of building a reef in my home i would rather build my home in the reef. Rob aka STR SCRK & SCMAS MEMBER Current Tank Info: Leemar 450g 96L x36W x 30T 3/4 inch Starfire With 70g Sump Vertex 250 Royal Exclusive protein Skimmer Laguna 2900 Return pump 5 Aquaillumination Hydra's LED Modules. 4 Tunze Stream Bubble Magus Doser. Reef Keeper Elite

12/14/2006, 08:24 AM	#20
Cloby86 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Clearwater, Fl Posts: 40	definately black. I went to a local window tint shop and they gave me a solid black film (not a tint, it is opaque) that worked great and it only cost me 6 bucks. I am very happy with it __________________ C.J. Current Tank Info: 110 gallon tall

12/14/2006, 10:53 PM	#21
Pete1399 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Im right here Posts: 369	You have all convinced me to go to black. __________________ Pete Current Tank Info: 75g, CSS220 Skimmer, DIY CREE LEDs, DIY Canopy, DIY Stand, 29g sump/fuge, Tunze nanostreams

12/15/2006, 01:23 AM	#22
audioaddiction Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 91	BLACK is where it's at. i brush painted the outside of mine black it makes everything really stand out compared to blue. also it camoflages power filters and heaters and all the other stuff. what would be very cool would be to thinly brush the back in black, which leaves lots of clear streaks. then paint a second layer of blue or if youre really creative, greens and blues which would look amazing through it.

12/15/2006, 02:45 AM	#23
Fireworm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ft. Wayne, IN Posts: 2,967	I put several coats of black on mine. I used the chalkboard paint, I liled because it was a dull black and IMO hides things better. __________________ Proud member of FWMAS. Current Tank Info: Empty 75g sitting in the garage. Needs to be up and running

12/15/2006, 07:54 AM	#24
staticx Moved On Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: oregon Posts: 825	Ahhh blue reminds me of petco and imo looks terrible. I would go with black

12/15/2006, 08:26 AM	#25
cristhiam Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Groveland, FL Posts: 3,099	Mine is coraline and xenia __________________ 2 yellows tail damsels, yellow watchman goby, tail spot blennie, purple pseudocromis, starry blennie, 2 clowns, 1 black clown, mandarine & Yellow tang Current Tank Info: 125 AGA, 3 40W 6500K, 3 110W URI Actinics, running on 2 IceCaps 660, CSS125