Acrylic 90 Gallon with Color Background

[chiefifd]

I'm getting ready to order an Acrylic 90 Gallon tank, would you get a colored acrylic background or simply make it clear like the rest of the panels? It seems like a personal preference, other than turning the tank around if you get a large scratch on one side.

 

[cab395]

I've never had an acrylic tank, but because of how easy they are to scratch, I personally would not color one side. Your explanation is exactly why. If there was a scratch on the front, the tank would be ruined for me. If I could just turn it around, then there's still hope.

 

[AZBigJohn]

Acrylic tanks can be buffed out for most scratches. The colored back helps hide plumbing and such.

That being said, I actually prefer clear back walls.

Sent from my Radar 4G using Board Express

 

[chiefifd]

I'm thinking of simply placing a colored dark blue or black mylar type back ground on the back of the tank. Colored acrylic sounds cool, wondering if there's a practical or other reason for the color acrylic.

 

[chiefifd]

Kinda leaning towards all clear panels..........

 

[cderleth84]

I prefer a black back, which hides pipes as well as, IMO, makes everything in the tank stand out with a nice black backdrop. Just be a little more cautious when working close to the acrylic. This idea of flipping it around if it gets scratched would only work if the tank was completely symmetrical, otherwise your rounded corners would now be flipped around. Also, what would you do with the overflow?

 

[chiefifd]

Yea.........never thought about the overflow cut in. You might have changed my mind. Thanks so much..........
Even a simple question here usually gets you to the right answer.....
Thanks again!

 

[albano]

IMO, makes everything in the tank stand out with a nice black backdrop.

I've tried them all in the past... Blue, black and clear ...
They all seemed nice at the time, and I never thought to compare them.
A few months ago I upgraded my grandson's 90g black background tank to one of my blue background 130g tanks... Both are 4' tanks, and were in the same location in their living room. As soon as the new, blue tank was set up and the lights turned on, everyone there commented on how the new tank with the exact same T5 lights, LIT UP the room! There was no comparison!
... Within a week I changed the background of my 450g DT from black to blue.

I prefer the vinyl 'add on' backgrounds not only because it can be changed, but also there are times when you may want to check behind the rockwork and that's not possible with painted or colored panels