Frag Tank - White Paint or Black Paint?

[nickkohrn]

I’m in the process of setting up a 40-gallon breeder frag tank. It will be bare-bottomed and house only SPS. I want to paint the back, and possibly sides of the tank. Black paint seems to be the way to go, but I’ve considered white paint to help reflect light around the tank. It will be lit by a six-bulb ATI SunPower with Coral Plus and Blue Plus bulbs. Obviously, I’ll have to keep the glass clean or white paint will be pointless. However, I don’t like coralline on glass, so I’m good at keeping the glass algae-free.

What do you think about using white paint instead of black paint?

 

[Peace River]

You can use scraper magnets to clean the glass on unpainted sides, but those don't work as well on the painted sides so you will need to consider an alternate approach to clean the glass on the painted side (preferably that keeps your hands out of the tank as much as possible). Black can be calming for fish, but I have noticed that it seems to suck the light out of the tank. Another possibility to split the difference is royal blue which is also a popular color for tanks. As a side note, I typically use Krylon Fusion to paint tanks. Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[nickkohrn]

You can use scraper magnets to clean the glass on unpainted sides, but those don't work as well on the painted sides so you will need to consider an alternate approach to clean the glass on the painted side (preferably that keeps your hands out of the tank as much as possible).

I like using my long-handled Continuum scraper, which helps keep my hands out of the tank. On a 40-gallon breeder, I’ll should be able to employ enough leverage against the glass to get almost anything off of it.

Black can be calming for fish, but I have noticed that it seems to suck the light out of the tank.

I didn’t realize that it can be calming for fish. However, I should have thought of that since many fish are shipped in bags that block light, which likely helps calm them and prevent light shock in transit.

I like black paint because it makes it easier for me to view the corals, but my top priority is health and growth. I figured I would ask about white paint because I have only seen tank bottoms painted white to simulate a sandy bottom in bare-bottomed systems.

Another possibility to split the difference is royal blue which is also a popular color for tanks.

I don’t recall seeing blue in person, so I’ll see if I can find some photos that will give me a good idea of the aesthetics that it will provide.

I typically use Krylon Fusion to paint tanks.

Have you had any issues with drips when using a spray paint? I see a healthy mix of recommendations for Krylon Fusion and oil-based paints with a soft roller. Do you think either could cause issues with bulkhead seals?

 

[Peace River]

Have you had any issues with drips when using a spray paint? I see a healthy mix of recommendations for Krylon Fusion and oil-based paints with a soft roller. Do you think either could cause issues with bulkhead seals?

Drips can happen, however they happen a lot less with a new can of high quality spray paint with a better nozzle like what is on the Krylon Fusion can. If you put several thinner coats then you will usually be able to avoid drips, runs, or other issues with the paint. I usually do about 3 coats, but you can use your own judgment - the more coats you apply then the less opaque. I have used a roller - it does change the texture slightly so if you do it that way it is a good idea to stay consistent with the pattern. All of that said, if there isn't light shining behind the tank then any minor blemishes probably won't show. You will want to have the bulkheads against glass not paint so I install the bulkheads first (even if I plan to tape them off). Good luck!

 

[Dempsey941]

I painted the bottom of my frag tank white, its nice because now I see all the detritus on the bottom when I do a water change

 

[andrewkw]

I painted the bottom of my frag tank white, its nice because now I see all the detritus on the bottom when I do a water change

I painted the bottom white too. I have mine setup as a peninsula.

Great for top down photos too

I scrape the bottom every month or 2. As you can see by clove polyps I have some invasive marco in the tank currently so I'm periodically cleaning up the tank anyway.

 

[Cdipasquale]

The white look nice and crisp. Does anyone paint frag tank bottoms any other color like black or blue. I just finished gluing up a new frag tank and trying to decide on leaving the bottom clear or painting. Any pics for ideas?

 

[Hijinks_78]

I remember watching a YouTube video that was doing a lot of testing with Vortech. They preferred the white racks in the tanks because of light reflection and the black at retail locations because the coral looks so much nicer. I believe they said that there was a good amount of light reflection that was beneficial.