Best Backdrop Color (Aesthetic)

I think that's a great question because perhaps the answer isn't as obvious as one might think.

If the back of the tank was made of black glass (just an illustration here, stick with me!!), it would absorb and perhaps hold heat to the extent to return some of that heat to the water.

With a layer of paint on the outside of the glass, since the black backing is behind the glass, I don't think heat transfer will be a factor. Let's say you used black paint, and painted the back of a 90 gallon tank. You have a layer of heat-absorbing color on a 3/8" minimum thickness of glass. Even if the thin layer of paint got hot (which it probably wouldn't), that heat transfer has to make it through that thickness of glass to deliver said increase to your water. I don't see that happening. Laws of thermodynamics, physics, electricity, etc. are all pretty well understood. Take electricity. Just as it will take the path of least resistance--so would heat. IF that very thin layer of paint got hot, the path of least resistance from hot to cool is not through the glass, but rather to the adjacent air.

My guess is that since the layer of paint is making direct contact with air, most if not all of the heat will dissipate into the air, rather than travel through the glass and back into the water.

 

I painted mine with krylon fusion. It says it sticks to glass. No problems so far. I would suggest you paint/tape/stick what ever color on it that is pleasing to you. I personnely like black but it is my tank so I got to pick. ;D look at different pictures of tanks on youtube,rate my tank and on here and pick what you like and go with it.

 

There has been numerous in-depth studies on if colors of sand and backgrounds make any difference what so ever in PAR values or temps, and the answer is always no. I believe Tangster himself did one of them.
It all comes down to personal preference. I had blue, then black, then back to blue now on my new tank. I like the blue a little bit better. I definitely feel you have to maintain it less than black, which to me just looks sloppy once all the coralline is all over it. The coralline doesn't seem to stand out as much with the blue. Just seems cleaner.
Go blue, black, green, fuchsia, magenta, cobalt, crimson, tie-dye, whatever you want The tank is YOUR canvas. Impressive tanks come from what and how healthy the inhabitants are, not by the background colors. You're the one that is going to look at it constantly, so whatever you choose, make sure your happy with it.
I do like the construction paper idea, but only as a color sampler But get a few colors and then pick one. Then paint it that color. Construction paper would be a messy, messy deal if used in the long-run.

 

There is a reason professional photographers prefer the black compared to the blue.

The colors show up better on black.



Mine on my 90g is dark blue, but my new tank is black, I like it a lot.

If it appears too dim, you don't have enough light

 

I painted mine with krylon fusion "royal blue" and I absolutely love it.

 

im gonna have to jump on the band wagon i like black better as well

 

is your absolute goal in life just to contradict me???

 

HAHAHA no i really have black and yes i like it BUT i did make that post bc i knew u would read it and post something like this hahah GOT YA!!!!:

 

I used the exact same stuff. Good thing about fusion too, is it's 100% safe even in the tank after it cures. You can paint overflows, power heads, the works. Gives the equipment the same "blend in" properties as the all black colors.

 

Thats cool and i didnt know that......