Tank Background: To paint or not to paint...

[aka_bigred]

What are people's thoughts on painting the background onto glass tanks?

I was originally going to use a plain black backgound and tape it to the back of the tank like I've always done to my freshwater tanks. Since I'm painting my fake oak tank trim black to match my stand sometime this week, I've been tossing arroung the idea of painting the black background right onto the tank as well. Not sure if I like the "permanant-ness" of the painting route though. I like to leave myself an exit strategy just incase I don't like something and want to change it.

What do others have-- Painted/Stickon and Black/Blue?

[otolith]

Eventually, it may not matter what you do when the back of the glass becomes covered in coralline. That said, if you're uncertain if you want it permanent or not, you're better off not painting the back glass.

[David Grigor]

Paint - With a straight edge blade you can easily remove it from a glass tank when you decide you don't want it. Just tape off the top and bottom molding so paint doesn't drip into the molding which can look sloppy when trim is visable from the inside.

Alternative ( which I have never found since ) was to use blue window tint which also can be removed.

Paper or the like can wringle or get water damaged.

I personally prefer to keep back clean from coraline on glass tanks. I don't like the look of it.

Probably doesn't matter much put I prefer white to black or blue becuase it does have more reflective qualities vs. black which absorbs light.

[clyde]

i would paint too

the stick on thing usually falls off after a while, that darn salt creep is not forgiving.

[Graham]

Another painter here. Anything other than paint and you may eventually have a salt creep background. A couple razor blades is all you need to remove the paint if needed.

[Dwayne]

Paint it.

Stay within the Feng Shui rules. Paint the back of the tank black. Water is for calm and Black is representative of financial. Doing this you will stay calm as you dump money into your reef.

[FastFish720]

Paint it

[Soltaker]

hang a blue shower curtain behind it

[Graham]

Originally posted by Dwayne
Paint it.

Stay within the Feng Shui rules. Paint the back of the tank black. Water is for calm and Black is representative of financial. Doing this you will stay calm as you dump money into your reef.

That's funny....in my world, financial is always associated with red.

[kjdeut]

I used the window tint from Menards. It is a plastic film that you apply using a a soapy solution and has been on for 2 years without any peeling. I dont remember if it comes in different colors, but I know it comes in different degress of tint.

Ken

[reeftanktime]

Paint. I had one painted a nice ocean blue. The new tank is black to match the overflow.