Painting back of tank?

SaltSolutions1 · 08/10/2008, 07:44 AM

I hear people all the time on here talking about painting the back side of their tanks. I purchased the balck on one side blue on the other background from lfs but it doesn't always sit right with cleaning equipment and moving things around.'

What do I use to paint it.....what is the best color for a reef tank and should i paint the 2 sides too?

billdogg · 08/10/2008, 07:48 AM

i use black enamel and a throwaway roller - others use spray - whatever is easiest - i would not paint the sides unless it is an in-wall tank

SaltSolutions1 · 08/10/2008, 08:07 AM

the tank is already setup though with fish and corals. Is it safe to paint it while I have livestock in it?

Hornet · 08/10/2008, 09:22 AM

If use a roller as billdogg states above and some regular latex paint you will have no worries as long don't go splash crazy with the paint.

As far as color it's really personal preference. I did a lot of surfing before painting my tank and there seems to be a lot of people with both blue and black.

I think the tanks with black look better. But I have seen pictures a couple of tanks with blue background that look decent.

HaleMoana · 08/10/2008, 09:50 AM

I used this... looks VERY good. I highly recommend.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_search...20USA&parsed=1

reefnetworth · 08/10/2008, 10:05 AM

wal-mart, petsmart, & petco have it in stock, you dont have to wait or pay shipping.
buy it oversized and cut it with a razor, then apply tap water to it and use a credit card to remove air bubbles and it will stay in place and also look brighter then just placing it on the back.
i like black as far as the ones ive seen, it gives the appearance of depth better than blue, IMO...

chuggy · 08/10/2008, 10:19 AM

they sell this stuff called clear view gel you put it on a background and it adhrees the background to the glass it works awesomne.

08/10/2008, 07:44 AM	#1
SaltSolutions1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stuart, Florida Posts: 1,010	Painting back of tank? I hear people all the time on here talking about painting the back side of their tanks. I purchased the balck on one side blue on the other background from lfs but it doesn't always sit right with cleaning equipment and moving things around.' What do I use to paint it.....what is the best color for a reef tank and should i paint the 2 sides too? __________________ Happy Reefing! Current Tank Info: Allow me to share my passion with you by viewing my albums and build thread.

08/10/2008, 07:48 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	i use black enamel and a throwaway roller - others use spray - whatever is easiest - i would not paint the sides unless it is an in-wall tank __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

08/10/2008, 08:07 AM	#3
SaltSolutions1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Stuart, Florida Posts: 1,010	the tank is already setup though with fish and corals. Is it safe to paint it while I have livestock in it? __________________ Happy Reefing! Current Tank Info: Allow me to share my passion with you by viewing my albums and build thread.

08/10/2008, 09:22 AM	#4
Hornet Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Hampton Roads, VA Posts: 145	If use a roller as billdogg states above and some regular latex paint you will have no worries as long don't go splash crazy with the paint. As far as color it's really personal preference. I did a lot of surfing before painting my tank and there seems to be a lot of people with both blue and black. I think the tanks with black look better. But I have seen pictures a couple of tanks with blue background that look decent. __________________ 150 gal, 40g sump, Constellation T5 Light Fixture, Octo Ext. 200, ACIII, OM-4way Current Tank Info: 150 gal, 40g sump, Constellation T5 Light Fixture, Octo Ext. 200, ACIII, OM-4way

08/10/2008, 09:50 AM	#5
HaleMoana Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Philly Burbs Posts: 433	I used this... looks VERY good. I highly recommend. http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_search...20USA&parsed=1 __________________ HaleMoana = Home of the Ocean - Delaware Valley Reef Club - Current Tank Info: Custom Starphire 220 In Wall Wrasse Retreat

08/10/2008, 10:05 AM	#6
reefnetworth Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 3,810	wal-mart, petsmart, & petco have it in stock, you dont have to wait or pay shipping. buy it oversized and cut it with a razor, then apply tap water to it and use a credit card to remove air bubbles and it will stay in place and also look brighter then just placing it on the back. i like black as far as the ones ive seen, it gives the appearance of depth better than blue, IMO... __________________ GIVE A MAN A FISH, YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY. TEACH A MAN TO FISH, HE FEEDS HIMSELF FOR LIFE. (NEVER, underestimate another man's greed) Current Tank Info: SPS dominated barebottom display with BB sump since 2005, most consistant parameters in 19+ years of reefkeeping.

08/10/2008, 10:19 AM	#7
chuggy Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: 44143 Posts: 2,300	they sell this stuff called clear view gel you put it on a background and it adhrees the background to the glass it works awesomne.