Black Acrylic Merit/Demerit

[Sh0ckbyte]

So, I was looking for Tanks today (as I enter the large room in my house where I would put said tank into Sketchup) on Yahoo Japan. Found a guy selling custom acrylic tanks (prefab sizes, for a little extra get your exact dimensions) in clear and "black" acrylic. Black here being the transparent variety (think neutral density filter)

Link is here

I was thinking that this could be beneficial where the fish are in a shared room, so the strong lighting is transmitted less to the room, and room lighting at night is transmitted less to the fish, but also think that could lead to a hotter tank, and less viewable reef, depending on lighting choices. Anyone have experience with this kind of Acrylic Tank? Good or bad?

Placement is in a livingroom setting that includes a projector screen on the other side of the room. (7 meters away) Already, the 30 watts of actnics in my micro affects the screen, which is why I started thinking about black acrylic.

What should I ask the MFG about this kind of tank?

[mad_kangaroo]

"Black" Acylic will block all light used by algae and plants for photosenthisis. Pro, less unwanted algaes in your tank. Con, even with excellent lighting for the inside of your tank, it will dull the viewing color of your reef. Bronze Acrylic will allow the entire light spectrum into the tank but again, it will dull your viewing experience. If you are looking for an enclosed sump with almost no cleaning, the enclosed Black Acrylic is the way to go. For your viewing tank, I would never suggest it.