Background and other questions

[Embittered]

Hey what background color would bring out the best colors on orange heads? I was thinking about going with a flat black but after looking around im not too sure since people say black kind of dulls the fishes colors. My other question is basically stocking suggestions. The tank i have is around 100gallons 60x18x24.
How many orange heads would be a good amount to have in a tank that size and what other fish do you guys suggest i put in there with them? I was thinking of putting some schooling fish in there but not too sure what kind. I also had severums in mind but yeah im open to any suggestions. Also iv been looking around on orange head info but every where i look i get mixed up info, where should i look to get the most accurate info on them? Thanks guys.

 

[CLDarnell]

Hello!

I have a 29 with black background that I am using temporarily to house my Lab breeders. They are light orange in color. It does tend to wash out their color.

Another member, Brian_Indiana, uses crumpled aluminum foil. He painted it black in his 125. I think it would be worth a shot to see what it looks like on your tank unpainted. The shiny side might set off your fish's color. If not, you could always paint it. It would be a pretty economical way to try a few things to see what works

Here's a link to one of his tanks (hopefully Brian doesn't mind!):

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=378922

 

[fishluvr12]

Black is my favorite all around for most fish but You also have to take into consideration the substrate.If it's real dark ,You may want the background a little lighter

 

[JK47]

1) Welcome to MFK
2) Thanks for researching fish before you buy. That's refreshing.

In a tank that size I would say buy 10 if they are fry/small and thin them out later to get a good male female ratio. In the end, 2 males and 4 females would make a lovely active tank. I grew out a group of 10 with a black background and would say mine have beautiful colors. If you click on my name, I have an album in my profile if you would like to see pics. Their coloration has more to do with overall health and husbandry than background color. The "washed out" orange heads you see pics of all the time are IMO because of stress, poor diet and water quality. Instead of moving my group I decided to built them a 300 gallon with a 3D background (dark grey/black) and their colors are the same as their old tank. Happy fish are pretty fish.

 

[Aquanero]

1) Welcome to MFK
2) Thanks for researching fish before you buy. That's refreshing.

In a tank that size I would say buy 10 if they are fry/small and thin them out later to get a good male female ratio. In the end, 2 males and 4 females would make a lovely active tank. I grew out a group of 10 with a black background and would say mine have beautiful colors. If you click on my name, I have an album in my profile if you would like to see pics. Their coloration has more to do with overall health and husbandry than background color. The "washed out" orange heads you see pics of all the time are IMO because of stress, poor diet and water quality. Instead of moving my group I decided to built them a 300 gallon with a 3D background (dark grey/black) and their colors are the same as their old tank. Happy fish are pretty fish.

Very well put Justin!

I always use black backgrounds with pool filter sand 70% mixed with black sand 30% looks great and brings out the fishes color (I've also seen 50/50 mixes look great too). I perfer to use 10K lighting with this type of set up relly gets the colors to pop.

 

[JTRG05]

Very well put Justin!

I always use black backgrounds with pool filter sand 70% mixed with black sand 30% looks great and brings out the fishes color (I've also seen 50/50 mixes look great too). I perfer to use 10K lighting with this type of set up relly gets the colors to pop.

+1
I also use black backgrounds, PFS and T5's and have never had problems with fish looking washed out.

I have heard rumor that certain fish, like flowerhorns, do wash out significantly with dark backgrounds, and though I'm sure it may affect all fish, it would likely be a very subtle, unnoticable change.

 

[bbortko]

Here's some that I used to have with a black background

 

[Embittered]

Alright thanks guys. I just finished painting it black and it looks pretty good so far. So stoked to fill it up.
I wasnt able to find pool filter sand so i went with paving sand. Im not too sure if the grains are too small but im too inpatient to wait an other week to find some sand haha. Whats a good way of rinsing the sand? Im thinking about filling 1/4 of the tank and then just pouring the sand in there and letting it sit there for a few days. Or is that the complete opposite of what im supposed to do?

 

[Aquanero]

Sometimes that sand can be very messy but some guys use it. It should be rinsed real good put it in a bucket stick the hose in and let it run till the water's clear.

 

[NixMix]

I have a black painted background and just recently mixed up some white and black sand. The colors are gorgeous together and everyone pops. Here's some pics!