Adding a background

[Noahs Home Zoo]

So I'm taking my time and making sure not to rush the setup of my tank and one of the things that I see a lot of are black backgrounds. I have some extra of that spray on plastic stuff I could use. But I was thinking about the light absorption and what I could do to make this work better with the lighting that I have. I have left over Mylar reflective film from my greenhouse, as well as I have a pack of home window tinting left over. The Mylar would be a bit more difficult to properly attach to the back of the tank, but I figure it would reflect the maximum amount of light. But the home tinting would reflect 80% of the light and is made for attaching to glass. I was wondering if anyone else tried anything like this? And if its worth the hassle?

Thank you!

 

[flsalty]

I used to do window tinting for a living so that is maybe why I didn't want to see it on the back of my tank...lol

Personally, I wouldn't use something that reflective. I would not like the look, plus some fish would get stressed out fighting with their own reflection.

You could go with a light blue or white.

 

[Noahs Home Zoo]

Cool, I didn't even think of the reflection stressing them. Thank you!

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Not only the reflective light but many type of fish are territorial. With a reflective backer they will actively go after their reflections thinking it's an invading fish in their area. Kinda like adding a mirror to a betta tank.

 

[Tallison]

Easiest option is just go with some black Rustoleum. Its cheap and easy to put it. Its going to take a couple coats though

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Easiest option is just go with some black Rustoleum. Its cheap and easy to put it. Its going to take a couple coats though

+1 on this, I've seen it successfully used on several aquariums and it lasts a long time.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

A buddy of mine works at a pain store and he said this is what they sell for anyone wanting to do a blackout on glass. They are oil based clear primer and black paint. The primer bonds very well to the glass and allows the paint to go on very smooth. Took a couple days to apply the both, 4 hour cure time between coats but it looks fantastic and is tough as all get out. I accidentally scraped it when I was test fitting the plumbing yesterday and barely even made a mark on the outer coating.