Gray Background on a reef tank???

[Reef noob_]

Hello everyone, i have an idea I'd like to bounce off you.

As I was building the stand for my 90 gallon build I found a can of grey spray paint and looking at the tank an idea come to me: A gray Background. I was wondering if anyone has done it, I haven't been able to find any pictures of it. The paint that is left in the can would not be enough to cover the whole tank, but i think that I might end up with a gray background instead if the normal black.I think it would look pretty cool.

So yeah that was just an idea that I thought up, I'd love to hear any suggestions it and if anyone has a gray background, happy reefing.

 

[zachfishman]

I painted my tank background black, but with the tank lights on it ends up being more of a dark grey anyways...

 

[outssider]

in a couple years there will be so much coralline growing on the back it wont make much difference what color you paint it

 

[thegrun]

You will likely see a little more algae growth on the gray than black, I know there is more algae growth with white.

 

[Bent]

Do a search for "shadow box background."

This will be my best trick.

 

[FishN00b83]

I always LOVED the shadow box idea. I really wanted to have one with my new tank but I just couldn't figure out a way to do it with a coast to coast overflow. The shadow box really makes the aquarium look like a window into the ocean, and they aren't hard to make at all. I just don't like some of the things you have to give up to have one.

Instead of gray you can try chalkboard paint (it's what I used on my last two tanks). It doesn't have the abrupt end to the tank that black has. The chalkboard paint has a little blue tint when water is in front of it and it looks like it has some dimension through the glass. It's hard to explain but I read a few threads a while back about it and I decided to give it a shot. It definitely looks better than black and its not as colorful as blue, which I find distracting to the rest of the tank.

 

[DavidinGA]

No to gray/grey imo

Black or blue ftw

 

[Scorpius]

I went with frosted white. Do whatever you like. It's your tank.

 

[WilRams]

I went with frosted white. Do whatever you like. It's your tank.

This.

I prefer black but hey you may like something else! The shadowbox does look awesome too.

 

[nuxx]

Not sure why, but I've never been a fan of blue.

... but yeah gray sounds good, but it'll be purple one day