The biggest one I've ever had...

[aclockworkorange]

A black background would help but the fish will still try their best to camouflage to the substrate, which is why darker makes them more colorful.

I would say try that idea of mixing the sands, and ill be checking to see how that goes because if it adds more colors to fish im all in for it. The fish in my 75 have also faded colors since putting PFS and replacing the black gravel.

Im pretty sure its not that the fish are stressed out or anything, but more of a matter of adapting to the tan substrate.

I never said anything about fish coloration.

IME with blue acara, they will be much lighter colored over lighter substrate, and a VERY dark blue over black substrate. I don't think they're stressed either.

Nice avatar btw, are they cutteri?

 

[Gruntking]

Just a black convict

 

[fishmamma]

Not sure about the sand color thing.............maybe you should do your background/back of tank first? Would it be easier to figure out which 'look' you like better then? **How about just putting up some black fabric or black paper behind your tank, "just to see", and then figure on the sand color after you've sort of seen the tank with the black behind it? I'm not saying to keep the paper or fabric on your tank, just saying to place it there for a few minutes, just to give yourself an idea of what it might look like later. Hope this helps!

I planned on using black fabric but not just for practice, but I've never seen it done so I'm not sure I'll like it.. I'd like to paint it..but it freaks me out that it's so much more permanant...

Yeah, the back of that tank should be black.

I agree...

A black background would help but the fish will still try their best to camouflage to the substrate, which is why darker makes them more colorful.

I would say try that idea of mixing the sands, and ill be checking to see how that goes because if it adds more colors to fish im all in for it. The fish in my 75 have also faded colors since putting PFS and replacing the black gravel.

Im pretty sure its not that the fish are stressed out or anything, but more of a matter of adapting to the tan substrate.

For sure I'm going to try this first, I really don't want to go all black sand..

On another note i just noticed you have a fluval heater on one of the pics with your BP.

I have the same one, but remember these are not submersible, put it a little up between the 2 wave markings that it has!

Ooops, it's been done... My rim is so thick, it's hard not to submerg it...

 

[dotbomb]

Ooops, it's been done... My rim is so thick, it's hard not to submerg it...

Don't sweat it. The fluval M series heaters are fully submersible. They have to put those lines on the heaters to pass certification in Canada.

I contacted Fluval about these heaters right after the marineland stealth recall and they confirmed they were fully submersible and apologized for the confusion about those lines.

 

[Gruntking]

Don't sweat it. The fluval M series heaters are fully submersible. They have to put those lines on the heaters to pass certification in Canada.

I contacted Fluval about these heaters right after the marineland stealth recall and they confirmed they were fully submersible and apologized for the confusion about those lines.

Its weird that they would even have that you cant fully submerse them in the isntruction booklet, but thanks for the info!

 

[dotbomb]

Its weird that they would even have that you cant fully submerse them in the isntruction booklet, but thanks for the info!

Yeah the whole thing is weird. The packaging when you buy it says "submersible" then you open it up and everything else says it isn't. Really poor on their part. I'm sure they get a lot of returns over this issue.

 

[fishmamma]

Yeah the whole thing is weird. The packaging when you buy it says "submersible" then you open it up and everything else says it isn't. Really poor on their part. I'm sure they get a lot of returns over this issue.

Now that you say this, I remember it clearly... and it clearly confusing me, so I said eff it and did it anyway.... Thanks for the info, much appreciated!!

 

[Pandamania]

Sh*tty directions.^.....what can we expect? They probably make the same kind of heater for more than one company, and some are submersible and some not?, and when they're packaging it maybe they put the wrong instructions with it? Just don't accidentally electrify your fish!

 

[bassguy]

I planned on using black fabric but not just for practice, but I've never seen it done so I'm not sure I'll like it.. I'd like to paint it..but it freaks me out that it's so much more permanant...


I had to remove black paint from a glass tank, It comes off very easy with a razor and no scratches. I wouldn't worry about it being permanant. I love black paint on my big tank!!

 

[fishmamma]

Sh*tty directions.^.....what can we expect? They probably make the same kind of heater for more than one company, and some are submersible and some not?, and when they're packaging it maybe they put the wrong instructions with it? Just don't accidentally electrify your fish!

Nah, I figured it would be ok... that's why I did it anyway...

I had to remove black paint from a glass tank, It comes off very easy with a razor and no scratches. I wouldn't worry about it being permanant. I love black paint on my big tank!!

I've been told it's easy to take off... but it would be a pain in the *bleep* to paint it now that it's all set up...

So just any kind of black paint would be ok? Is there is a specific brand that should be used... ?