Coraline Glass vs. Scraped

sleeper · Oct 4, 2009

Well, I have seen a few threads lately discussing if the back glass should be scraped or left for coraline to cover. I understand that everyone has their own preferences but I honestly couldnt decide so I took some pics and scraped my back glass. I offer the pics up for comparison and opinions on the subject. Right now I love the cleaner look of the glass but that may just be becuase it is different.

Sorry for that quality of the pics, any comment are welcome!

Psychographic · Oct 4, 2009

I like the clean black background it gives a false sense of depth.

Russellaqua · Oct 4, 2009

+1. I like clean glass too.

chuckle_berry · Oct 4, 2009

I like the clean look but with HOB equip. it hides easier with coralline on the back.

JR's Reef · Oct 4, 2009

I like the clean look also but I let mine grom on the glass then get sick of it then clean it

xrayrider · Oct 4, 2009

Our club did a comparison on PAR (Photosynthetic Available Radiation) which measures the amount of available light in the spectrum that is usable for photosynthesis. We compaired several things, including a tank with clear glass, and one with the back of the glass painted blue. It was amazing how much light is reflected by the glass if it is left clear. If a plastic backgroung is used to hide what is behind the tank, it barely affects the PAR, but painting the back panel on the outside drastically reduced PAR. I would assume the Coralin Algae does something similar, although we never tested that. Just something else to consider, although I must admit I chose to cover my back panel with various Zoanthid strains, so I am sure I lost some PAR too. I prefer clear to Coriline myself.

Robert

revhtree · Oct 4, 2009

Clean look for me as well!

sleeper · Oct 4, 2009

wow, so everyone likes the glass clean, I must say I am a bit surprised it is so one-sided. I never thought about the PAR being affected but I must assume that the outside of the tank being painted black can't be worse than coraline covering the inside glass. I know that HOB equipment is painful to look at but everytime I get extra money I buy corals and can't seem to save enough for a sump, overflow, return pump.

ahayes13 · Oct 4, 2009

i have to agree. i love the clean glass too. if i had to choose i would rather have the equip stand out a little more than to have the dirty back glass. also if you look at the pics everything in your tank, rocks, corals etc. stand out a lot better with the clean back.

litenyaup · Oct 4, 2009

well i think it is a loose loose situation....it grows so fast to really keep it clean, and i really dont have the time to clean it. i have a black back as well and dont mind the coraline algae anymore. i guess it just comes with the hobby.

ahayes13 · Oct 4, 2009

thanks to revs recommendation i have one of these........it cleans it up super easy and quickly. i dont know how i ever did without it.....

from lowes......
Kobalt
Single Blade Straight Handle Safety Scraper

firsttime · Oct 4, 2009

+1 on clean back glass.

sleeper · Oct 5, 2009

Hey Amanda,
Thats great, I used a 3 inch firm blade drywall scrapper. Took me about 15 minutes to get it all off and only becuase I was moving slowly so I wouldnt slosh all the water outta my tank. Next time I will do this before I top off so I have a little sloshing room.

Paul_N · Oct 5, 2009

I like the dark background in an open tanks like yours. I like the coralline when the tank has the wall of rocks and then blends into the coralline on the back glass.