Black background

**Mith** · 02-21-2010, 03:32 AM

First... DAAAAYUM that paper's expensive. I know I could have gotten something cheaper, but I guess this plastic's kind of thick and easy to handle.

Well, people always talk about what kind of backgrounds they like. I finally made a change and went to black. I think it's pretty nice, but I do notice the reflections of the fish more.

Anyway to stop that? The background's not right on the glass, rather... an inch or so....

**Northernguy** · 02-21-2010, 03:35 AM

If it has a gloss finish on it you will get reflection.
I use flat black!
It looks great though

**jackson17** · 02-21-2010, 03:36 AM

STOP! Your making me want to start up my tank again!!!

Oh and erm, nice tank? =D

**Crispy** · 02-21-2010, 03:45 AM

you know what they say Mith... once you go black, you never go back. I love my black background. Cheers!

**Cliff** · 02-21-2010, 03:55 AM

Like I said before, I really like the look of your black background better than the other look you had, just my $0.02.

As I’m getting ready to set up a new 75 gallon tank, I’m thinking about something similar to your tank. I just have one question, if the black is reflective would it highlight scratching on the glass more ?
I would be interested in your opinion

thx

**Mith** · 02-21-2010, 04:24 AM

Originally Posted by Cliff

Like I said before, I really like the look of your black background better than the other look you had, just my $0.02.

As I’m getting ready to set up a new 75 gallon tank, I’m thinking about something similar to your tank. I just have one question, if the black is reflective would it highlight scratching on the glass more ?
I would be interested in your opinion

thx

Well, I don't know about scratcues.....but when I first put up the background....(lol) it showed EVERY SINGLE SPECK OF DIRT ON THE GLASS! By dirt, I mean water deposits (on the outside) and algae (on the inside). I didn't notice any sxcratches....but then I'm not sure that there are any scratches back there.

NOW I might have to change it (the background) to a flat black to get rid of the glare.....but then, in the picture I posted I forgot to turn my bubbles on......so the bubble curtain actually hide the reflections nicely.

**Garrett** · 02-21-2010, 07:32 AM

The back of my 55 came painted with water-safe black latex paint. It was way too much a pain in the arse to clean it up, so I patched it up with some paint I picked up at AC Moore. I think it probably looks better than the tank would without the black, however there are definitely some spots that need patching up, the tank's got little spots where the paint bubbled. The kid I bought the tank from didn't do too hot a job with the tank, and I'll be honest and had too much of a 'kid in a candy store' moment setting it up to sit down and properly redo it.

**lowlight** · 02-21-2010, 08:44 AM

Tank looks good. A black background will show scratches more then some algae fills it in and it doesn't look to bad, unless you have a big gouge in it.

**DrNic** · 02-21-2010, 01:54 PM

Looks great!

I have black backgrounds on most of my tanks now as well. I just use large sheets of black construction paper which has a 'soft' feel. Doesn't reflect too much and it's really cheap and easy to setup.