Black all the way! Clear is tough to keep looking good without constantly scrubbing it, and then you're probably damaging the silicone. Also, I doubt they put UV stabilizers in the clear silicone so the MH lighting will break it down somewhat over time (black is immune as it is not transparent).

Depends what colour your stand will be. Clear if the stand will be a light colour, black if it'll be a dark colour. I have both. Can't imagine the tank with black silicone on the white stand or the clear silicone on the black stand.

Clear on a tank without black trim for sure, I've also done black before but I just prefer clear. If you do it right and minimize the bead there really isn't much to get dirty and the actual seams look better IMO.

Plus I'm looking at mine right now and the silicone looks new in and out, tanks been in use for about 2 years give or take, never once have I cleaned the silicone. Come to think of it I recall my previous cube, I had one spot on the back I didn't bother cleaning up very well when I siliconed it cause I figured algae would soon cover it up, it never did and it really bothered me.

Exactly what I used to think. And it's true. I just realized after trying clear again that I liked not having things framed. For me the black was a bit distracting. Mine also doesn't get that dirty. My Kole is always grazing it madly.

long term, black silicone is best

short term, clear is best...

My new tank (although it's just sitting in a box right now) is all black.

My stand is black. I have clear silicone on the tank that is there already. I don't like this particular silicone on the tank because it looks like crap. It's a pretty poorly made tank (I didn't make it :razz:). Crappy tank aside, the clear isn't all that bad on the black stand though the seams are looking a bit grungy.

Frig, I can't make up my mind. Anyone have a good pick of their tank (hopefully rimless) that could sway me in either direction?

How do you see the fish if your tank is all black?

While mine isn't rimless you can sorta get a feel for clear:

http://www.fishbrains.net/images/97/tv.jpg

:lol:

Can you come clean my moniter off Brett? There is pop all over it now.