Aquarium Background

[reefcrazed]

Does anyone know where I can order or purchase a background for my reef tank, preferably made of some kind of plastic or similar material in blue or black. Any information about specifications (e.g., thickness, etc) would be appreciated if you have the same.

RC

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Why not just do what most of us do...paint it?

 

[purplegorilla]

Yeah Krylon can works best. Just tape it up and blast away. Most of the time the back wall would be covered in coralline and live rock anyways, so doesn't make sense to spend money on decorating it.

 

[jusney]

It's not my intention to hijack this thread, by I thought of doing the same just incase I did not like the way the tank looked after painting it. Not sure if that is the concern of Reefcrazed.

 

[cr500_af]

I'm a long way from you, but I have a roll of blue that you can have.

 

[jcook54]

I got a roll made by Blue Life. It applies like window tint and looks really good. You have to be careful when you install it but the end result looks like paint and is a lot quicker/easier. Of course that was on a new tank so painting may be a better option for an existing setup.

 

[basscyn]

I used a roller!
I suppose that would be a viable option on an existing set-up.

 

[raisedonnintendo]

Yep paint it will work. I like to use a Mylar on my tanks so you can see everything in the back. Like those little fish that never come out. Not to mention it keeps the par up by reflecting the light back into the tank

 

[acroholic]

RaisedOnNintendo;601702 wrote: Yep paint it will work. I like to use a Mylar on my tanks so you can see everything in the back. Like those little fish that never come out. Not to mention it keeps the par up by reflecting the light back into the tank

I attended a lecture at MACNA '08 here in Atlanta that talked about the very same thing, how lighter/more reflective backgrounds put a bunch more light in the tank than black backgrounds did. It was significant.

I guess one needs to decide if the light increase is worth the color they'd have to use to get it vs any aesthetic qualities a blue or black background would give.

 

[gnashty]

BASSCYN;601680 wrote: I used a roller!
I suppose that would be a viable option on an existing set-up.

I did the same - if you dont like it, break out the razorblade and remove it...

 

[raisedonnintendo]

Acroholic;601706 wrote: I attended a lecture at MACNA '08 here in Atlanta that talked about the very same thing, how lighter/more reflective backgrounds put a bunch more light in the tank than black backgrounds did. It was significant.

I guess one needs to decide if the light increase is worth the color they'd have to use to get it vs any aesthetic qualities a blue or black background would give.

True if it blue looks better to someone it's there eyes that's eased. If you like the mirror effet and seen all around your tank. I guess it be your wallet that's eased cause you don't need so much light. So not so much on the power bill

 

[tgriffin]

Einstein Aquatics carries the aquarium film. I plan on spraying mine when I do it.

 

[reefcrazed]

Looks like I started a good discussion. I've painted tanks in the past and was not happy with the results. In any case, for my existing tank, the tank is recessed in the wall and I can access the back and sides of the tank from a room behind the tank. I wanted to see what "temporary" (and perhaps less messy) options existed these days so I can still view the tank from the back by temporarily removing the background. I don't know if anyone has replied to my original question. Perhaps no one has taken that route using some kind of colored plastic or acrylic. I have however seen pictures of tanks on-line with it and it looks great, just not sure of what the exact material is and where to get it.

Here's another option...has anyone painted some kind of paneling or board (paper, wood or other material) and placed it behind the tank?

RC

 

[reefcrazed]

By the way, thanks CR500 af for the offer. If I'm ever over your way I'll let you know.

 

[gcgrad]

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I used black and navy blue krylon fusion spray paint. Simply painted the bottom black. Then started the back black with a transition to the dark blue. I think it looks good! Took no time as well.

 

[rjrgroup]

I hate to admit this but I crinkled some aluminum foil and adhered it to a panel of wood and buffed it. Shhh, please don't tell anybody but it looked ghetto-fabulous!

 

[cr500_af]

Acroholic;601706 wrote: I attended a lecture at MACNA '08 here in Atlanta that talked about the very same thing, how lighter/more reflective backgrounds put a bunch more light in the tank than black backgrounds did. It was significant.

I guess one needs to decide if the light increase is worth the color they'd have to use to get it vs any aesthetic qualities a blue or black background would give.

I've read that this can be an issue with certain fishes... some will tend to fight with their own reflection.

 

[redstang]

cr500_af;609568 wrote: I've read that this can be an issue with certain fishes... some will tend to fight with their own reflection.

Yeah, I was wondering about using a mirror and if it would cause some fish to fight their reflection. My tank will sit in an alcove so a mirror would be nice so I could see the back side.

 

[chuckn16]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5Ng6GeF9mA&feature=player_embedded">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5Ng6GeF9mA&feature=player_embedded</a>

[IMG]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFn69PmcmfA&feature=player_embedded">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFn69PmcmfA&feature=player_embedded</a>

 

[carpenter981]

chuckn16;616730 wrote: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5Ng6GeF9mA&feature=player_embedded">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5Ng6GeF9mA&feature=player_embedded</a>

[IMG]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFn69PmcmfA&feature=player_embedded">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFn69PmcmfA&feature=player_embedded</a>[/QUOTE]

dont think thats what he means by background