Opinions on back of the tank Painting or Background

[austinaquaman]

I am setting up a 75 Gallon tank and am trying to decide on using a background or painting it. What are your opinions of each?

If I use a background it will probably something simple, I don't want anything fake looking.

Thanks for the input.

[Texreefer]

I have a black trashbag taped to mine

[allan]

i painted mine black. Not sure if I will do black on my next tank, or blue... but I much prefer the solid color backdrop over a picture of a underwater scene or clear where all the hardware is visible.

[Captain Jack]

I think most reefers paint the back. But in last month's Tropical Fish Hobbyist magazine, they published an article where they demonstrated that a non painted back glass reflects more light back into the tank, where painted absorbs more. Non painted background had about 30% more light in the back half of the tank.

[zerreissen]

I think most reefers paint the back. But in last month's Tropical Fish Hobbyist magazine, they published an article where they demonstrated that a non painted back glass reflects more light back into the tank, where painted absorbs more. Non painted background had about 30% more light in the back half of the tank.

What about a mirrored back then?

Such as this one:

[austinaquaman]

A mirrored background might be cool, except for having yourself in every tank picture like the guy above .

Anyone have an idea how to make a mirrored background in a safe way for a reef tank? I guess you could use aluminum foil, although it does tend to tear easy. I saw a mirrored background online but the price was $45.

[coraline79]

paint it hands down. i have had mirror backs, blue taped backs, black taped backs, and black painted. The best by far is the painted black. The mirror back has made some of my fish freak out.

[jc]

I recommend painting the back with krylon fusion. They have it at wal-mart.

[austinaquaman]

Has anyone tried painting using a metallic paint? If so does it have a cool affect?

[AustinReefClub]

I painted mine blue last week with a can of Glidden Gloss latex from Lowe's. About $5, and I love how it brightens the aquarium while hiding everything in back. It's much easier than having the edges of a backdrop get wet or curl up. Just make sure to paint it while it's empty. It's much easier to turn the back side up and paint it than trying to paint it as a vertical surface.