Blue background or black?

Should I paint the back blue or black? What are the pros and cons of each?
Pictures would be helpful. I'm thinking blue will make the halides really shimmer? I just don't know which color to go with

 

Painting the back will absorb a certain amount of light, where leaving it bare will allow it to reflect back into the tank. There have been discussions and arguements for and against this on the boards. My 150g, I put black background on it. On my other tanks, they don't have any. It's a personal choice really. I don't see any difference in illumination with or without the background.
Metal Halides will have a shimmer effect regardless of background color, and will shimmer if you have it or not.

 

i painted mine black. but doesnt really matter any more , with the amount of live rock and coraline , cant really see the back anyways. lol

 

I'm gonna vote for black. I think there are very few tanks that look good with a blue background. Just my opinion.....

Ivan

 

+1 for the black. Once you get the tank really built up, as divott stated, the background wont be noticeable. But I would say until then paint it black. It really makes everything in the tank pop! I personally don't think the blue looks that good, but it is more of a personal preference.

 

Maybe a dark blue almost blackish would be a good medium I have seen it done before looks pretty good I am still deciding on what to do with mine as well

 

I'm also lost on this one.

I haven't painted mine either color yet, but I did read a good post somewhere on here last night, about going to walmart and getting a piece of limo tint for 14 bucks. It saves the worry of getting fumes / chemicals in your water, and that way you can decide if you like the black. If not, take it off, and get some paint. (make sure it's roll on and water based!)

 

Personaly I like Black the most!

 

I just use those photo paper backgrounds.. usally there double sided.. so if I get tired of one side I just untape it and turn it over. they sell black and blue side ones..

 

i like blue backgrounds