Background: Blue or Black

[Expos Forever]

I know this has been done before, just curious how people are feeling nowdays. If you feel like it, please elaborate: did you paint? plastic background? I had a blue plastic background for years and this time I decided to paint the back with black Tremclad. (Sorry Len :wink: )

 

[Expos Forever]

I forgot to add: Please post pics showing your background if you have any. Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

flat (matte) black paint-only background i'll ever use-on any tank, fresh and salt

 

[Modo]

I prefer the dark blue. On my 29g it's the plastic dark blue. On the 90g I'm setting up, I'm going to paint it dark blue. Sorry, no pics to post right now. I switched ISPs.

 

[Anonymous]

I have black on all my tanks, makes the flame angels really stand out.

Although I now wish I had not done black on the tank my niger is in, he looks so bland in front of a field of black.

It all turns purple in the end anyway.

 

[Blue Devil]

Dark blue. Wish I had used black because the blue really makes the power cords and powerheads stand out. :?

 

[baseman]

My background is blue plastic, but I have so much coraline algae that I can't really see it. So, my background is now pink. 8)

 

[Syris]

All natural baby

Just good old purple coraline algae covering my back glass 8)

 

[Reefguide]

I voted other. I have 2 tanks, one blue and one black. I probably should have voted black though now that I think of it. I think it looks much better in black than blue. Also it's better at hiding PH cables and algea...

Used spray paint for the black and latex enamel for the blue both worked out well....

 

[ChrisRD]

Just good old purple coraline algae covering my back glass 8)

Me too. I don't bother with a background either - only takes a few months for the back glass to be completely covered anyway...

 

[Riotfishdude]

Blue by far,makes for a brighter tank and that oh so nice ocean blue look,black makes he tank darker.....hide your powerheads folks.... 8) ......Riot....

 

[oneshotleft]

I had to vote "other" as I have no back to cover...360 degree viewing and nothing can hide from view. But if I had a back I would prolly pick blue and let cover with coraline.

 

[jorcutt]

I never really liked the solid background idea. Personally, I think you've got to go with a live background. Star Polyps are probably the easiest (much easier on acrylic of course) but xenia, anthelia, zooanthids, or a mixture of all can't be beat. One other suggestion, a friend of mine uses window tinting. MUCH easier if you do it before your tank is full, but it REALLY looks nice. Doesn't detract from your reef like I think blue does, and it doesn't make it too dark like black does.

 

[fishfanatic2]

I have blue, and I'm proud of it since it really makes tank brighter and looks more natural...

 

[Anonymous]

I have black in my reef but you cant tell because of the coraline. I just moved my 90 gal above my reef and I need to do the back.Does painting it look good????