Background for new tank?

[JJCriss]

I have recently gotten into the saltwater tanks. I've been helping my uncle get his 120 back together and it's coming along nicely. He got me a 65 for Christmas that I'm about to start building. I'm curious to others opinions on what to do with the background of the tank. What color or colors? One solid color? Multiple colors? Should I use some sort of paper backdrop or should I paint the back of the tank? If anyone has any pictures to post as examples that would be great.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

The printed background pictures look cheesy IMO. Paint the back either black or dark blue.

 

[Fish Keeper82]

The printed background pictures look cheesy IMO. Paint the back either black or dark blue.

+1
I have always done black since it naturally makes the colors of the fish and coral pop out more.

 

[JJCriss]

Yes I agree the prints looks cheesy. I feel like they would also be distracting from what's actually in the tank. No one cares what the background looks like. It should be subtle and almost invisible.

Let's say I go with just black or dark blue. Would it be better to paint, or use some sort of backdrop?

 

[kmbyrnes]

I have used both black and blue. Paint and self-stick backing.
I have no personal preference with color. Either one seems to set the inhabitants off well.

I like paint ( Krylon worked for me ), but it took some prep to be sure the surface was clean and the paint would adhere well.
Painting the tank took 2 weekends to do the prep work and get 3 coats of paint on it.

On the other hand, the self-adhesive in this link is great! http://www.thatpetplace.com/oceanvisions-background-crystal-black-30in-by-foot
If I do another tank that needs backing this is what I would use again.
It's kind of expensive compared to the stuff you see at Petco, but I there is no ugly tape or wrinkles and when installed properly, water doesn't get behind it either.
It stays in place and is thick enough to use a magnet cleaner without damage. When I switched tanks, it peeled right off the one and went on the new one in about 30 minutes.

 

[pyithar]

have you checked out this cool thread?

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1868825

 

[gone fishin]

I painted mine but it is covered in coralline now.

 

[MondoBongo]

i painted both of mine black. i've been quite happy with it. my previous tank i didn't cover the back at all, and it always annoyed me.

i used regular interior latex. it took 4 coats, but covered nicely.

 

[thelawnwrangler]

My back is black and I like that the best.

 

[C.Eymann]

I leave my back panel just covered in coralline but I really like the look of the baby/light blue backing. Black makes the colors pop a bit more but too dark IMO.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

I used black as well. I used a Glidden, semi gloss paint that peels off if I need to remove it. Rather than scraping it and chipping it all off. This is almost like one rubbery coat