What color do you paint your back glass?

[Will Milberger]

Starting a new build. Just curious. I was thinking blue.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Semi gloss black rustoleum oil based paint. Taken by the advice of BRS. Did this to my current tank, and it was easy and turned out great
Black allows your corals and fish to pop more IMO

 

[madweazl]

I prefer black; I dont want a bright color to distract from what is on display in the tank, I just want the background to go unnoticed.

 

[andrewkw]

I prefer blue but black is the most popular.
Of my 3 painted backed tanks I have regular blue, a darker shade of blue and black. I think more important then the colour choice is keeping the back clean.

 

[Antegon]

Quick question - is this (or any) type of paint aquarium safe?

 

[KJAG]

My back is black to hide the black coast to coast, but I did the sides( it’s an in wall) Flexidip Cobalt Blue, then rolled over that with a flat blue just to prevent scratches/ wear on the paint.(Since plasti/flexidip wears easier if you were to knock into it w something etc) The little bit of metallic in the flexidip adds way more depth when filled with water from the viewing display than a tank I did years ago with regular blue paint. (IMO)
Just a thought.

 

[eschulist]

Kept it clear. Gives the illusion that the tank is larger.

 

[HomeSlizzice]

Also look into tanks with frosted/opaque backings.

 

[Bouncingsoul39]

I like Blue. I love to snorkel and it just feels more natural to me to have a blue background. You're not likely to see any corals against a black backdrop in nature. It also give a brighter feel to the tank in general that may be hard to conceptualize without seeing it in person. Whereas a black one gives a darker feel.

 

[ntayler]

I am partial to black, but for whatever color is desired I like Plastidip (spray can). Easy to apply, and easily removable if a change is desired.

 

[Flexin]

My first tank is black. Second went with a dark flat blue. Love em both..

 

[Radman73]

Considered blue but was worried I wouldn't like whatever shade I picked lol! Black was easy and looks good IMO.

 

[Tjakes680]

Painting the back of your tank actually takes away par and strength of light your using I read a article yeRs ago that the paint will absorb light so it actuallity it is taking away light instead of reflecting it off clear glass What i do is paint the wall behind the tank it looks real good and u keap the glass and reflection of light The darker u paint the tank the more light is absorbed so it actually seams like a backwards statement but its not

 

[Flexin]

Painting the back of your tank actually takes away par and strength of light your using I read a article yeRs ago that the paint will absorb light so it actuallity it is taking away light instead of reflecting it off clear glass What i do is paint the wall behind the tank it looks real good and u keap the glass and reflection of light The darker u paint the tank the more light is absorbed so it actually seams like a backwards statement but its not

I would agree if you painted in inside of the tank, then light would be absorbed. However, light that reaches the outside of the glass where the paint is, I would think, would be light that would continue to travel to the wall behind it, and not return to the tank. So, respectfully, I would question that theory.

 

[defasum]

I went with black for my latest build except I used the darkest window film I could find instead of paint. My previous build I used black paint and window film was so much easier. done in 10 min. and didn't have to wait for it to dry

 

[Flexin]

Also, the only way the statement you read would makes sense is if you painted the back outside wall white, then all the light would bounce back. We need BRS Investigates

 

[rushbattle]

BRS has done it many times. PAR near black rear pane is always lower than u painted sides and front. See and light review of theirs.

 

[Dennis Cartier]

Quick question - is this (or any) type of paint aquarium safe?

Umm, the paint goes on the outside of the tank back.

However if you are asking for other reasons (like painting PVC tubing), then Krylon is the prefered paint that is aquarium safe.

Dennis

 

[Flexin]

BRS has done it many times. PAR near black rear pane is always lower than u painted sides and front. See and light review of theirs.

Kindly share the link. I suspect the back wall is from an AIO tank and not painted on the outside. I’m also courious if the drop is signifigant enough to make the statement. Thanks for sharing.

 

[afuel]

I agree with eschulist. No paint on the back glass makes the tank look larger, more open. Consider the color you want on the wall behind the tank that’s my preference.