I'm going to get back in and start over

[riche]

with that being said, I'm going to ask a bunch of questions

My first question is what's the pros and cons of painting the back of the tank either blue or black? Or not paint it at all

That's the first question for now, many more to come. I'm at the point I want to ask a ton of questions before doing anything as I have jumped in to fast in the past and got out just as fast

 

[SourAngelfish]

Painting the back of a tank does not necessarily have any pros or cons but If you don't plan on getting a background you'll have to look at the wall behind the tank, It really depends on what you think would look better. Good luck.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

Welcome back! Painting the back is simply aesthetics. It'll be able to hide any wires and/or plumbing behind the tank. A black background also makes the corals colors stand out a bit more against a black or blue background. I had an acrylic 90 with blue and now have an 80 shallow with black. I like the black background personally. But, over time it'll all be covered in coralline anyway.

 

[AllAboutThatWrasse]

The only pros I see are definitely all aesthetic. I second what TheReefer27 said that its better than seeing the wall and wires behind the tank. And with paint there no way for anything to get in between it and the glass when done correctly, that way you don't get salt creep or bubbles when using one of those unsightly laminated graphics.