Tank Background Color - Black or Blue

afamousjohnson · Apr 20, 2015

What does everyone think? Black looks great and pops but boxes in While blue seems to pop also and open up the space.

Have usually gone with black but thinking I may try blue this time around. Interested in what others think on this with any pros n cons for each.

steve&mari · Apr 20, 2015

We had blue before n was very nice. This new build I've went black for a change. I really liked black I had for fw before. I think the black will absorb light more just a thought. Good luck and God bless......Steve

Pete polyp · Apr 20, 2015

I used aluminum foil and I really like it.

afamousjohnson · Apr 20, 2015

Ya wish I was good enough to build up a shadow box and be done with it - those are sick. Seems the foil reflection does the into the deep effect. Does it shine light more bouncing off of it?

Pete polyp · Apr 20, 2015

afamousjohnson said:
Ya wish I was good enough to build up a shadow box and be done with it - those are sick. Seems the foil reflection does the into the deep effect. Does it shine light more bouncing off of it?

I'm sure it does to some degree, but I have no clue how much. I have thought about using a silver metallic paint on the back of my tanks, but didn't get around to it.

KoleTang · Apr 20, 2015

I'm going to try out blue as well.

After seeing A Reef in the Sky, Chris' Elos, and SonnyX's Tanks I can't resist trying it out. I'm thinking about trying something like this: 240 Inwall Construction (Image Intense) - Page 18 - Reef Central Online Community Archives

afamousjohnson · Apr 20, 2015

KoleTang said:
I'm going to try out blue as well.

After seeing A Reef in the Sky, Chris' Elos, and SonnyX's Tanks I can't resist trying it out. I'm thinking about trying something like this: 240 Inwall Construction (Image Intense) - Page 18 - Reef Central Online Community Archives

good point. I was thinking about doing black bottoms and blue backs - gonna have to check it out tho.

revhtree · Apr 20, 2015

I've always went black but I have see some awesome blue background tanks!

AdamNC · Apr 21, 2015

I've always gone with a deep blue look. Personal preference though.

jsker · Apr 21, 2015

I am waiting for the coralline algae to take over the back. If I have to choose it would be blue.

thejuggernaut · Apr 21, 2015

I've always used black Krylon Fusion. I saw something recently that looked kind of cool though. They use window frosting for the back ground. Although it might seem weird at first, I bet it would look good on a mangrove setup or something like that.

Check out his gallery. He is a local guy who specializes in freshwater. His stuff is pretty awesome.

Hardscapes:

Aquarium Design Group custom aquarium design installation and service in Houston Texas

Planted:

Aquarium Design Group custom aquarium design installation and service in Houston Texas

shred5 · Apr 21, 2015

Black looks better on narrower tanks but tanks that are deep front to back look better with blue.

scardall · Apr 21, 2015

What would look good to YOU

I chose blue. Idea: Using an Epoxy that dries clear, glue a mirror on the back.(OUTSIDE ONLY) OR create a custom Background instead. Rocks Molde suff etc.

Reefcowboy · Apr 21, 2015

Just went from black to blue....wow what a change. Never had a tank that had a different background from black, and always wondered what was missing. Blue BY FAR brings up more of the colors of the corals, fish and overall mood of the tank. Tank as a whole is brighter and more natural looking. Try it for yourself and find out

French27 · Apr 21, 2015

thejuggernaut said:
I've always used black Krylon Fusion. I saw something recently that looked kind of cool though. They use window frosting for the back ground. Although it might seem weird at first, I bet it would look good on a mangrove setup or something like that.

Check out his gallery. He is a local guy who specializes in freshwater. His stuff is pretty awesome.

Hardscapes:

Aquarium Design Group custom aquarium design installation and service in Houston Texas

Planted:

Aquarium Design Group custom aquarium design installation and service in Houston Texas

I really am intrigued by the frosted glass background. I was thinking a blue tinted/painted frosted glass look might be really cool. I wonder if such an animal exists or if you could just paint the back of the frosted glass as you would a normal tank.

joss.gamble · Apr 21, 2015

Reefcowboy said:
Just went from black to blue....wow what a change. Never had a tank that had a different background from black, and always wondered what was missing. Blue BY FAR brings up more of the colors of the corals, fish and overall mood of the tank. Tank as a whole is brighter and more natural looking. Try it for yourself and find out

Interesting, I've not thought about blue before as I've seen some thanks that I've thought looked messy because of it. I like the idea of it looking more natural though, I guess to a certain extent that is what we are all striving for?

Pete polyp · Apr 21, 2015

scardall said:
I chose blue. Idea: Using an Epoxy that dries clear, glue a mirror on the back.(OUTSIDE ONLY) OR create a custom Background instead. Rocks Molde suff etc.

If you use a mirror many fish will kill themselves fighting the reflection

afamousjohnson · Apr 21, 2015

Haha - that is so true

afamousjohnson · Apr 21, 2015

The awesome part here is I usually don't paint (go figure with all the painting I do on my tanks) the DT background. I like being able to have a removable option for both inspection and viewing (I can usually get behind my tanks) - hence I velcro on cloth material.
I will be making one of each with black and 1 blue. They can be switched out and soon we will have a side by side comparison for each.