Backgrounds for Reef Tanks

[Sigmund]

Any opinions on putting backgrounds on reef tanks? Moved to a new house back in September (Will not be doing that agin for at least 25 years!). Had to move my reef tanks (didn't lose anything, amazingly).

When I moved my 150Gallon reef I removed the black backgound I use to have on the back of the tank, thought I would see how it looked without any background. After a month or so I think my impression is that it looks a little washed out, as the color of the wall behiend the tank is a light yellowish color.

Is there a rule of thumb / generally accepted stance on background color that provides the best viewing for appearance and color of fish and corals?

 

[Mandragen]

I am currently running mine with no background, and I am contemplating putting on a black one. As I have seen in pictures it looks as if the colors pop more. I havn't seen a real nice one in person so I don't know if it's just play with colors on the camera or not. I have also heard that it helps keep more light in the tank. I have seen some tanks with blue but I just don't like that color for some reason. Looking forward to watching this thread!

 

[Beaun]

Black is the cleanest looking IMO. I ended up getting a sheet of plexi which I spray painted one side black and one blue so I could choose later on and even switch it. I have ended up using the black and have no interest in switching.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Black or a vivid blue seem to be the colors that most people use. I have to agree with you too. I took my black background off a few months ago and the tank just looks...blah. This was thread of the month in RK mag a couple of months ago. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1868825&highlight=shadowbox

 

[RokleM]

[moved]...

 

[Agu]

I've used black and blue, and prefer black. I've also used dark grey window tint and liked that as an after the fact retrofit.

 

[Mandragen]

I think I am going to go black, that shadow box is great in theory but a bit too much work than I am prepared to put in for just a background. The question is, what is the best way to achieve the black background and also how many sides should you do? Anyone have pictures of backgrounds they can post?!

 

[Beaun]

Here is an old picture of the Plexi background. This picture is actually of the blue side, its a really dark navy because of the black on the other side of the plexi.

 

[Mandragen]

Yeah I like that, do you have a pic with the black side to compare it to?

 

[kameleon23]

I just painted the outside of the back glass black. I used some Acrylic paint (crafts section at walmart) and a small foam roller. Very fast and very easy.

 

[Mandragen]

Right and I've heard of paint but what if you would like to resell the tank someday. I just have a hard time permanently altering something. They have those sheets

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+6635+19785&pcatid=19785

How do these work, anyone have experience with putting on and taking off?

 

[kameleon23]

Right and I've heard of paint but what if you would like to resell the tank someday. I just have a hard time permanently altering something.

This paint comes right off...just take a razor blade and it peels off with ease.

 

[CWP]

+1 on paint. If you get a water based paint, it can be removed easily if you change your mind later. To be honest, coralline algae will the back in a few months. I would only paint the back of the tank, but it wouldn't harm your livestock if you paint the sides.

 

[ahud]

I painted the back of my tank and I have taken paint off tanks as well. Goes on easy, comes off easy.

I plan to keep the back of my tank clean.

 

[laud]

Wow! I have always loved the black background to show off the colors in the corals, but...

That shadowbox background is eyepopping!!!

 

[Jdbrine]

Black is the cleanest looking IMO. I ended up getting a sheet of plexi which I spray painted one side black and one blue so I could choose later on and even switch it. I have ended up using the black and have no interest in switching.

+1...... imo black looked the best with the colors in fish and corals. It also gives the illusion of deeper depth..... but just to with it up every once in a while ill switch mine out to blue, but I definatley prefer black...... imo nothing looks as good as black.

 

[Mandragen]

what type paint am I looking for? Paint still scares me a bit,lol.

 

[Onedeadbob]

I use black cloth from a fabric store (I stole the idea from someone here on reefcentral); double-sided velcro the four corners.
Quick to remove; makes it easy to clean the back glass and see the back-side of my tank if needed (even if the tank is close to the wall, you can use a mirror to get a glimpse of that frag-plug that fell down behind)
Just another option

 

[Mandragen]

I like the idea with the cloth but can you get it up there tight enough to where you don't have any light play between the cloth and the tank glass.

 

[Korrine]

This is what I used. Has worked fabulous!