What color do you paint your back glass?

[Fish4udog]

Blue looks more natural than black just a personal opinion

 

[Coral Hygiene]

I find black to be appealing as it adds depth and helps the colors of coral and fish pop out more.

 

[rushbattle]

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.

All of the light reviews show the PAR maps. Here is the latest one.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vide...-led-light-a-great-option-for-sps-reef-tanks/

 

[Dsnakes]

The blue paint wasn't covering well... so I went with waves in my breeding tank

 

[Reefer Reboot]

Curiosity question, has anyone tried painting the back with mirror silver paint? This could make the tank look bigger while increasing the PAR.

 

[HomeSlizzice]

Curiosity question, has anyone tried painting the back with mirror silver paint? This could make the tank look bigger while increasing the PAR.

That sounds like a very interesting idea, I'd love to see this done.

 

[Tjakes680]

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

 

[Antegon]

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

Haha yes I agree. Was more thinking baffles/parts of HObs/etc to block light and growth, or just making things look sharp. Good to know, thanks!

 

[siggy]

Mirrored window film would be worth try, any recommendations on brand or type?
Maybe I can get a look at the back of the rocks too

 

[Will Milberger]

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.

I've got grey walls. I was also thinking about not cleaning back glass issues.

 

[Jamie7907]

I can see tangs fighting with their self in the mirror lol. I might try the mirror on a new build, seems like it would make the tank appear twice as large. I do wonder about hot spots though.

 

[Flexin]

All of the light reviews show the PAR maps. Here is the latest one.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vide...-led-light-a-great-option-for-sps-reef-tanks/

Thanks for that. This was a hard video to watch since they were discussing the AP700 that I’m drooling over

I’ve seen these videos, I honestly can’t tell what their test tank looks like in regards to the wall color and if it’s painted outside, just the back wall or also side walls. Some of the mapping shows the sides low in addition to the light placement has a huge impact which changes everything depending on placement. Thank you though... Back to the AP700

 

[Pete Paschall]

I just went through the same dilemma and ended up using a gradient approach - blue near the top transitioning to navy blue near the middle, and then black toward the bottom.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I tried black, and ended up scraping it all off a year later. Just did not do it for me. My other tanks I never painted. I guess one is against a red wall, but you cannot see the back much anyway as it ages (I cannot get to it to scrape).

 

[Will Milberger]

I just went through the same dilemma and ended up using a gradient approach - blue near the top transitioning to navy blue near the middle, and then black toward the bottom.

Very interesting.

 

[Reefer Reboot]

I like that gradient approach, very reminiscent of deep water diving. I wanted to try a mirrored background but my tank has a coast to coast overflow on the back which is already black. I thought I'd be slick and tried some Mylar sheeting on the back wall during tank set up and testing. Yeah, it was a bonehead maneuver. Saltwater strips the reflective coating right off. Luckily I didn't have any critters in the tank yet. What I did end up doing is placing a sheet of Mylar under the tank, which having a clear bottom and running bare bottom, gives me a nice rippled light reflection on the undersides of the overhangs.

 

[shred5]

I do not use any of that I use Blue life vinyl background. It comes in different colors and goes on like window tinting. You can get the same stuff from sign shops much cheaper. It stays on and comes off if need be. It goes on with soapy water and a squeegee


I have sold tanks in the past and people do not always want the same background you have so paint stinks.

 

[Yati]

I prefer mine covered in coralline but I think I like the black background...

 

[DracoKat]

I have black on my 75g and blue paper from the petstore on my 9g. I like them both.. I feel like the blue makes the tank feel bigger, but the black shows the corals more

 

[Reef-junky]

I prefer a more natural look. I like to use a dark blue for the bottom 1/2 and then a light blue for the top to give the illusion of depth. A touch of yellow at the very top. I have never done one but I think shadow boxes are pretty cool as well.

Layered colors