A "color changing" background for your reef tank! What do you think?

[ReefStash Verified Sponsor]

The obvious consensus is that a color changing light is not ideal on a reef tank. I agree as well but I think the sunrise/sunset setting or having the light set to one color will offer a lot of exploring on what looks great or not. I think a lot of people are just focusing on the disco effect that this setup offers. lol

I’m going for a natural deep ocean look so we’ll see how it turns out. More updates to come.

 

[Ro Bow]

I hate this. I like as natural a look as possible, this is not conducive to that goal. I can understand why other people might like it, but for me, absolutely not.

agreed

 

[Dcal]

cmon guys look how cool this is lol. doesnt only do the rgb fade

 

[Deyan]

Looks cool - not for me. I don’t clean the back wall. Coralline algae is good enuff for me!

 

[Reefer Reboot]

Voted other. On my next tank I am planning to use a water ripple effect light with a clear backed aquarium, something like this.

But instead of going across the ceiling have it shine on the wall behind the tank. Maybe even make some light blocks to keep the light only visible through the tank. Might give it a look of greater distance.

 

[ReefStash Verified Sponsor]

Voted other. On my next tank I am planning to use a water ripple effect light with a clear backed aquarium, something like this.

But instead of going across the ceiling have it shine on the wall behind the tank. Maybe even make some light blocks to keep the light only visible through the tank. Might give it a look of greater distance.

Very cool!

 

[M Stein]

I want a reef. Not a high tech display.
Such a background may have it's place in a tech companies lobby. But not in my house.
I want the ocean.

 

[M Stein]

Also, my ideal background would be a wall covered in coral. Not GSP, LPS. You can get some textured colorful favites and such.
I think it would be really cool.
Never done it, but if any of you have, please post pictures.

 

[AquariumSpecialty Verified Sponsor]

I voted maybe but on second thought, I would vote no. It's too difficult to keep the back of the tank clean in most situation. I like the backlit tank on page 1. That's pretty cool IMO.

 

[Cre8or30]

What ever happened to the Acronym K.I.S.S.?

 

[Dennis Cartier]

I am absolutely doing it! At some point I am going to get this 10'x3' LED light panel mounted into the frame of the sliding shadowbox on the back of my build. The carrying crate of the panel has been my work platform for too long. Hopefully in the next month or two, that should end.

The front of the shadowbox will be frosted with 40 mm of 'depth' to create the artificial FOV.

Dennis

 

[bwp]

I plan to leave my back glass clear on a new build which will allow me to experiment with different background (from sheet of black plastic to something like this), but my tank will be accessible from the back. I don’t understand how you keep the back glass clean in a tank against the wall like this.

 

[MARK M. DAVIS]

Negative! The only good light is blue light. Other light can cause algae. Plus, it detracts from the actual tank inhabitants. I'm into function vs bling. Let the fish and coral do the talking.

 

[DHill6]

I voted no, anything color changing is cheezy looking. I won’t buy outside lights that color change also. Everyone has their own opinions.

 

[DH78]

The obvious consensus is that a color changing light is not ideal on a reef tank. I agree as well but I think the sunrise/sunset setting or having the light set to one color will offer a lot of exploring on what looks great or not. I think a lot of people are just focusing on the disco effect that this setup offers. lol

I’m going for a natural deep ocean look so we’ll see how it turns out. More updates to come.

I can't wait to see what you can do with it. Even if it turns out it's not something I would like, I can appreciate the thought, time, and love for reefing that goes into trying to achieve a specific look for your tank.

 

[REEFTIDE]

No, but not in all caps

 

[VegasReefer]

I think its a great concept with a lot of applications. I use a similar approach to my pod cultivations. except I use it on the bottom. It helps for different species and chores, to be able to change the light intensity and spectrum. I think it would also come in handy for breeders as well.

 

[ReefStash Verified Sponsor]

I am absolutely doing it! At some point I am going to get this 10'x3' LED light panel mounted into the frame of the sliding shadowbox on the back of my build. The carrying crate of the panel has been my work platform for too long. Hopefully in the next month or two, that should end.

The front of the shadowbox will be frosted with 40 mm of 'depth' to create the artificial FOV.

Dennis

Wow! That’s slick! Nice work.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

just like those lighting or storm effects, absolutely not a fan for me. Most people will have the back wall painted or covered up mostly with rocks or corals anyway. It bothers me because it looks so artificial. And don’t get me started with those fake corals decors

 

[Radreefer]

I voted other. I’d love to see it fully stocked with the lighting and all. I’m curious to see if it would still look good under actinic lighting