Opinions on back of the tank Painting or Background

[JKLUSAF]

Ok, so i've went through this thread looking over all the suggestions for my tank. Painting, looks like the way to go. My question to ya'll is; do i paint my 150 Black or Blue? And if blue what type and how hard is it to spray paint gl*****

Justin

[tebstan]

Using a roller didn't give a smooth texture and sometimes bubbled, but that may have been the roller I was using. The best effect came from using an airbrush gun, if you have access to a compressor. Even without much skill or practice, you can get some neat looking texture.

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.

This quote really caught my eye, and no one else commented on it... I've painted FW tanks to avoid a peeling background, but now that I'm doing a larger/reef tank I might try the background.

[AustinReefClub]

Here's some pics of mine painted blue:

[sampsonndelila]

I like the look of mine; it is black acrylic, not painted. I think you could easily have Ace remove the back glass and replace it with black acrylic. That would give you the glossy even black color you are looking for. They might even make it in different colors. Maybe you could get red if you corals are mostly red, just a thought?

[JKLUSAF]

I'm sure Ace could there "Sammy"

Justin

[msmith619]

If you use a printed background, the coraline algae will just cover it up unless you scrape the back wall of the tank. I don't paint mine, it gets covered by algae over time.
Mike

[sampsonndelila]

If you use a printed background, the coraline algae will just cover it up unless you scrape the back wall of the tank. I don't paint mine, it gets covered by algae over time.
Mike

Agreed!

[JKLUSAF]

I believe i'm just going to put a black sheet on the back of it

[hobogato]

not a good idea - acrylic doesnt bond well to silicone, so you could not build a tank with glass and acrylic. you could cut a piece of black acrylic to fit inside on the back and silicone it to back (since it will not be structural, it should hold.

I...I think you could easily have Ace remove the back glass and replace it with black acrylic....

[Texreefer]

Or have a thin sheet of black acrylic cut to fit the back and just velcro it to the back of the tank, then you can still remove it anytime for tank cleaning