Black back or not

Rpujol85 · May 3, 2014

I can pretty much guarantee the dark colors soak up a bunch of light. Mine is blacked out, and I have noticed the back side of my rockwork has significantly less coraline growth. That's the only thing I can attribute that to. Then again I run LEDs and they are cheated towards the front of the tank. Anyone else notice this?

Xingu · May 3, 2014

It is personal preference for sure. I have seen beautiful tanks that were clear and beautiful tanks that were painted. I have seen a tank that was painted blue that faded from light to dark that really gave the impression of added depth to the tank. Mine have always been painted black. I am planning a 180 that will be built into a wall and I will be painting the back and both sides black to hide the room I am creating behind the wall.

Harrisd503 · May 4, 2014

Well black does absorb light, so you would have less light in the back which will help with hidden algae at the back of your rock work.

tyler1503 · May 4, 2014

Just a thought, what about metallic black spray paint? It would be dark so it would create a nice contrast with corals and fish etc and possibly be highly reflective. I think the main issue would be it being too reflective and scattering the light in every direction and being distracting, but you'd just test that on an old tank first.

Pete polyp · May 4, 2014

I went with coralline for a while until I moved my tank.

When I moved the tank it all died off and I put a piece of foil over the back. I'm sure it reflects a bunch of light back into the tank

dsbud4u · May 4, 2014

Nice I like the foil look!! My buddy used a blue foil and his has great color and reflection.

Ryan2428 · May 4, 2014

But the foil would raise water temp correct . From the more reflection wrong or not

760mason · May 4, 2014

Since the tank is up and running painting it is out of the question. They sell peel and stick backgrounds in both blue and black. I prefer a a black background. It is just personal preference. I dont want to see the wires and drywall behind my tank. I let the coralline build up on my back wall so it has a more natural look. But it takes awhile for that to happen.

tyler1503 · May 5, 2014

760mason said:
Since the tank is up and running painting it is out of the question. They sell peel and stick backgrounds in both blue and black. I prefer a a black background. It is just personal preference. I dont want to see the wires and drywall behind my tank. I let the coralline build up on my back wall so it has a more natural look. But it takes awhile for that to happen.

It's not out of the question per se. You have to completely seal up the tank and cabinet and any other openings which isn't as difficult as it sounds. I haven't painted the back of a tank that is running, but I have used pest extermination chemicals in a room with an established tank. It's the same process except you leave the back wall uncovered.
Those background things are a much easier option though lol.