Background or no background

[TheDouda]

Besides visuals is there any advantages to a black background or any background on a tank? I had a black background I taped on the back of my tank it looks good but when cleaning the glass it's a big pain I took it off and really don't mind the look of no background. The only thing I could think of is light idk if it would reflect light back into the tank but it being black wouldn't seem like it would do much

 

[thegrun]

I think a black background works best to show off the colors of the corals and fish.

 

[pyithar]

i personally like black backgrounds but i think you should do what makes you happy. since your background is not permanent like mine(i painted mine), you could take it off and see if you like it for a while. if it doesn't work, tape the background back.

 

[Jjv123]

I used plasti dip - rustoleum product. It is completely removeable, if you do not like it for some reason. It looks just like real paint on glass.

 

[kenpau]

I have a frosted back on mine, I like that it kind of looks like you're looking into the distance, the only drawback for me is that you can see cables and overflow pipes. I've hidden the lighting cables in this pic but cant think of a way to hide the overflow pipes unfortunately.

[/url]Photo on 21-02-2015 at 7.47 am #2 by kenpau01, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[fishgate]

I use a dark blue plastic sheet background for the new tank. The old one had a rock wall. It has two sides, blue and black. It is removable for cleaning and maintenance from the rear.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=19785

 

[TheDouda]

So with the people that painted the back can you still use the magnets to clean your glass without scratching the paint

 

[Ktm898]

i think black back is best also.

 

[CuzzA]

If my overflow boxes weren't on the back top I would do the ultimate background, a shadow box. Instead I use auto tint which still allows the use of a magnet algae scrapper to keep the back glass clean. If you're not cleaning the back glass it really doesn't matter as it will be covered in coralline algae in a year or so. Seeing the back wall, plumbing and wires would bother me for that time period though, so I would still use auto tint.

 

[kmbyrnes]

I used this background.
It goes on with a little soapy water, stays on when using a magnet cleaner and I was able to re-use it when I switched tanks.
It looks much better than the tape-on stuff, and is not as permanent as paint.

http://www.thatpetplace.com/oceanvisions-background-crystal-black-30in-by-foot?sc=10&category=1690

 

[supervdl]

Black background not even a question IMO.

 

[scooter31707]

I use a black piece of cardboard from Michaels that is $3. they come in blue or black, just cut it to size and use double sided tape.

 

[Waters40]

I painted the back a dark blue with latex paint.

 

[tidus10]

Plasti-dip works surprisingly well..

but im a krylon guy myself paint it black and forget about it..

 

[brittonv]

So with the people that painted the back can you still use the magnets to clean your glass without scratching the paint

Sorry, you do know the paint is outside of the tank right? I can't get behind my tank to use a magnet nor do I really try to clean my back glass. When I do I use a scrapper on a stick thing....

 

[Mythicalelf]

I like the black background best but any is better than none to me cause i hate seeing pipes and cables.

 

[igot2gats]

Yeah, your best bet to clean the back glass is an aglae scrapper on a stick.

 

[TheDouda]

yea i def know the paint is on the outside lol i might just leave it i can walk all the way around my tank so its nice to see what all is going on back there at least for now lol

 

[TheDouda]

ill prob go with auto tint if i get sick of it though i got tons of that stuff at work

 

[EvolutionIsALie]

Always background, creates depth to tank when looking and allows the fish to relax more