Highly Reflective Background?

[footbagger311]

I am getting a 125 gallon tank later this week and I am not too fond of the blue background. Since the tank will be against the wall, I'd like to see what would be going on in the rock work facing the wall and I thought I would do this by having a mirrored background.

The question is what do ya'll suggest I get to put on the background that would be very reflective. I was thinking about hanging a long mirror behind it but that could be rather difficult.

 

[sfsuphysics]

reflective mylar, its light weight, VERY reflective, and most importantly when you realize your fish are being aggressive against the back pane you can easily remove it

 

[Pbrown3701]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12440027#post12440027 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sfsuphysics
reflective mylar, its light weight, VERY reflective, and most importantly when you realize your fish are being aggressive against the back pane you can easily remove it

:lol:

Yeah, i would avoid it as it will stress out your inhabitants.

 

[footbagger311]

well that sucks, i guess i will just keep it clear.

 

[dogstar74]

I'd say try it and see. I saw an 800 gallon tank that had a mirrored back, and the fish didn't get stressed out by it. So put one up, and if it causes havock, then take it out, but I'd try it first at least.

 

[ruarox]

EVERY one is afraid to try different stuff and they all follow other people's beliefs i had a mirror on the back of my 125. people said it was bad would scare fish. i had alot of differnt fish and none of them were scared of it.some fish would look at themeselves and swim away . try the mirror. you could buy a mirror for back of tank and put a shim or wedge to hold it tight against the tank

 

[footbagger311]

any suggestions for removing the blue background? it is on the outside of the tank.

 

[tank monkey]

I have the reflective mylar on a 55. I have never had a problem with fish stressing, most ignore their reflection totally after a couple of days, especially if you have coraline growth. The hard to keep flat that I mentioned probably aids this because it distorts the reflections. I have enjoyed it enough that I am seriously considering the trying the mirror.

Good points- Light reflection, not same old same old, tank appears bigger

Bad Points- Somewhat hard to keep flat (fun house mirror effect), mylar of any kind makes magnets (Korelia power heads, Tunzi's) a little harder to move (you don't slide them a 1/2"), flash photos

 

[tank monkey]

but flash photos make the tank look bland anyway

 

[cloakerpoked]

I'm assuming its painted on. I just used a pressure washer for most of it, and closer to the seams used a razor and it worked great. Careful not to catch an edge using a razor on glass, as you may scratch it easily. Don't use a razor at all on acrylic, or at least I wouldn't advise it. Paint may bond better with acrylic, although I can't say that for certain since I've never had an acrylic tank.

 

[Horace]

If you dont put mylar or a mirror (very interesting idea IMO), I would paint it black. Black looks VERY classy and corals and fish are set off better and contrast much nicer than they do against a blue background IMO.

 

[footbagger311]

well, i'm about to run to loew's so i'll pick some stuff up.

 

[footbagger311]

so i've been looking around but i can't find anywhere that sells this mylar film.

Where should I try looking?

 

[johnnyblaze313]

Theres a mirror window tint. They sell it at home depot in the window dept. I used it on a 90gal it looked good but showed the slightest bit of algea. Ive seen mylar at a local brew and grow if you have one of those near you. O yea i didnt notice any stress from my fish when i used this fwiw