Black or clear background

[Alexervin239]

I've been going back and forth between a black or clear background on my 17g cube reef. The black looks sleeker but makes the tank look smaller. The clear shows some wires but makes the tank look much larger as the wall behind it is off white and where the water ends/wall begins is almost impossible to see. Thoughts?

[dandelion]

Possible to route all wires along the two back corners?

 

I've been going back and forth between a black or clear background on my 17g cube reef. The black looks sleeker but makes the tank look smaller. The clear shows some wires but makes the tank look much larger as the wall behind it is off white and where the water ends/wall begins is almost impossible to see. Thoughts?

 

[Kellie in CA]

I really like the look of the white backgrounds but any equipment or wires showing would drive me crazy, so I always go with black.

[Alexervin239]

I was thinking of something like that, maybe using cable routing suction cups to route the wires behind my aquascape. The tank has a scape in the center like a sea arch so any wires running down the center are almost totally hiden

[burtbollinger]

clear sounds like best option...but I've seen light blue backgrounds on a few tanks here that look reallly cool.

also seen darker blue at some pro aquariums I've been too.

 

[sam_the_reefer]

frosted?

[Alexervin239]

Thought about frosted. I actually had it black for awhile but the acrylic paint was becoming an issue with my the peg's of my hob filter rubbing off some of the paint. I'm really liking the clear for now, once I have the light installed and running the light bleed may be an issue but I can deal with that later. Anybody with a clear tank have some input on cable management?

[Clown79]

I always do black. Black makes corals stand out

[squamptonbc]

I prefer black just so everything is easily hidden. Plus the AIO I have didn't give me any other option...

[Alexervin239]

I found that the black made the tank seem cramped but I do like how it forces you to focus on what's in the tank. I think having the back clear with the white wall behind it is somewhat akin to putting mirrors in a room. I bought the background and applicator to make the background black but after I took off the old black that was peeling I found the clear looked really nice

[xmas_one]

Frosted looks really good if you take your time and install the film right.

[sam_the_reefer]

I have a clear back and currently use a cable raceway to hide the light cord. Not so elegant, but it's better to look at than the black cord (IMO).

[Sunstar]

if black is too dark, do go white - however it means maintenance on the background. But all in all, it would look more sexy, and brighter for your corals. it may have the added benefit of reflecting light back into areas that are getting shadows.

clear sounds like best option...but I've seen light blue backgrounds on a few tanks here that look reallly cool.

also seen darker blue at some pro aquariums I've been too.

 

the light blue is quite attractive too.

[Scorched]

Clear!

 

Makes my tank look 2-3 times bigger than it actually is. But if you have anything showing on the back (powerheads, filters, cords, frag racks, overflows, or even excess coraline algae) it breaks the illusion and looks tacky in my opinion. If any of those distract from the viewing I'd go black.

[Alexervin239]

The only thing that'll be going on the back is the mp10 and the small CPR hang-on-back refugium that will hopefully hide the heater and temp probe

[Scorched]

A hang on the back refugium!? Thats probably the biggest thing you could put on the back glass.

 

Honestly black is going to be the best for you. A clear aquarium is going to show that refugium and it is never as clean, and pretty as they make it look in the promotional photos. Its going to get messy and have algae growing in there. The filter is also going to make cleaning the inside of your back glass more difficult and having a clear back is going to show every bit of grime.

 

Isn't one side of the refugium black already? Your tank would look half clear and half black and show the cords. Id just paint it and hide everything.

[Alexervin239]

That's something I hadn't considered, the black refugium background as well as the maintenance required to make keeping the back clear a viable option. I'll try applying the black background later tonight and see how it goes. Shouldn't be too hard; with the tank setup already I know there's gonna be some tricky areas to apply.