Back of tank: Algea or no algea??

[muckworm]

I know that some people like to have the algea grow on the back of the tank because eventually is will turn into coraline (however you spell it).... my question is which is better for the tank?? clean glass on the back of the tank or just let the algea grow? right now it is growing on the back of my tank and I want to keep it, but my girlfriend thinks its ugly and should be removed..... what are the pros and cons?

 

[splash1914]

I would get a black background so you wont tell as much....

 

[muckworm]

Splash, I do have a black background.... and by the way, I love your tank! I would love to get a leopard shark, or two.... whats the min size tank for one?

 

[ravenx]

Originally posted by Muckworm
I know that some people like to have the algea grow on the back of the tank because eventually is will turn into coraline (however you spell it).... my question is which is better for the tank?? clean glass on the back of the tank or just let the algea grow? right now it is growing on the back of my tank and I want to keep it, but my girlfriend thinks its ugly and should be removed..... what are the pros and cons?
omg i just clicked the link to the pics of your tank and damn, it looks really really nice. what size tank is that? 180? and what kind of lights did you use to make that blue effect?

 

[cap'n pete]

Most leave the algea on the back glass to ensure that their snails have enough food. Just a personal preference in my opinion. If you don't like it, clean it.

 

[pstanley]

You can usually hide it depending on what color light you have towards the back of the tank. Just don't use lights high in the green spectrum torwards the back if you can avoid it because it really highlights the algae.

 

[grayne]

I leave the back alone for reasons mentioned (also - snails, coral beauty like to pick at it, less to clean). In my personal opinion I sort of like the way it looks. Unless some realy funky bad stuff starts growing there, I would say you have little to worry about though.

 

[blutang]

Leave it, its always nice for the fish and other critters to have something to pick at.

 

[heavenly damsel]

The back of the tank is really hard to clean, so I don't mind coraline on the back, but it is a little much on the front and sides. Sometime you jusst have to put things in perspective. Let the stuff grow in the front and sides for a while and the back looks great!

 

[splash1914]

Thank you, it is a custom 180. 8'L x 2'H x 18". I use 20,000 K blue atinic and 20,000 K fullspectrum lighting. I am in the process of adding two power compacts since I have almost 200 lbs of LR. I did all the work on the stand and install so it didnt cost that much. Sorry for the late reply.