To cover or not to cover the ends of my tank

**gronlaura** · 02-28-2013, 12:25 AM

What is the general opinion - do you cover the ends of your tanks?

I would like to keep the fish from seeing their reflections, but I also use the end views to check how well I cleaned along the back.

What do forum members do?

**Strider199** · 02-28-2013, 12:34 AM

The ends stay as is on my tanks. Only the back is covered to hide stuff and bring out the tanks insides.

**Aeonflame** · 02-28-2013, 01:48 AM

I leave the ends uncovered. The more viewing space I have to keep an eye on things is better for me and my tanks.

**CrunchyLeaf** · 02-28-2013, 02:18 AM

I also keep the sides uncovered. Having a decent view around the backs and sides of plants and decor is important in case a fish dies or is sick and you can't see it in the front. I also like to make it so my filter intakes, heater and thermometer are not visible from the front, but I can peek at them from the sides to make sure everything is in order.

**Lady Hobbs** · 02-28-2013, 02:34 AM

Covering the ends would never work for me. I, too, check clarity end to end. Who cares if the fish can see their reflection? If they don't see it on the sides, they would from the front. They get used it to and pay no attention after awhile.

**steeler58** · 02-28-2013, 02:40 AM

I keep mine uncovered as well.

**Jayoneseven** · 02-28-2013, 02:50 AM

Sometimes leaves die at the back of my tank and I wouldn't see them if I didn't have the sides open. Also I have a dry erase marker that I write on the glass with in the back bottom corner where it isn't visible. (keep track of past water tests and levels etc.)

**korith** · 02-28-2013, 05:46 AM

I do have a tank that has its sides and back painted. The person I bought the tank from was using it to breed fish and was trying to limit their view of fish in other tanks. Nothing wrong with painting the sides. Worst case scenario you decide you don't like it, easy enough to scrap the paint off with a razor blade and a sponge, takes just 10minutes.

**Cermet** · 02-28-2013, 10:56 AM

The only criteria is what you want - if breeding, some fish do better with all sides covered; for a viewing tank, better to cover only the back to hide stuff unless a 'two room tank. If direct sunlight is an issue (a window somewhere), then painting a side to prevent algae makes sense.