Painting the back of a new tank

grannybj · 07/16/2007, 03:09 PM

ok so I have researched and read and read and researched about painting the back of tanks but I wanted to hear from some of you guys about what you used if you painted the back or other options that are tried and true. All input welcome and appreciated.
BJ

joeycadre · 07/16/2007, 03:24 PM

plain old enamel house paint. just tape off thetrim and edges and go for it with a brush. it takes a few coats.

neuroslicer · 07/16/2007, 03:45 PM

I just buy a blue background and tape it to the back. After a few months it doesn't much matter anyhow, as all you can see if the layer of coralline algae on the back.

dtbradly · 07/16/2007, 04:01 PM

I bought household enamel paint in a spray can, I am sure it is much easier to use than the brush on kind.

Cabin3tGuy · 07/16/2007, 04:28 PM

I recommend Krylon Fusion it comes in many colors .... You don't want to use reg. spray paint ... you're looking for any brand that says its appliance spray paint basically ..... then all you need is newspaper and masking tape to cover what you dont want to get sprayed ....

sperry · 07/16/2007, 06:39 PM

Playing around on an old 10gal I painted the back and sides white, then after it dried I put a layer of black on. I used Krylon spray.

Larson · 07/18/2007, 08:29 PM

Granny, if you go to a "sign's place" Sign's first , signs fast etc. And get the latex self adhesive sticky "paper,plastic , whatever it is ". You can have it in the color and size that you want. You get some soapy water in a spray bottle saturate the sticker and the back of the tank. Then apply it , you can move it around freely. Then using a old credit card or small flat piece of plastic to work the air bubbles out. Use a fresh razor to trim the edges and cut around any holes. Let that dry over 24 hrs and you have an instant background that won't come off. That's what myself, Roy, and Dr Peaches all have on the back of our tanks.

grannybj · 07/18/2007, 09:33 PM

I had not thought of the latex stuff..neat idea and there is a 'sign place close to home so I will give it a shot. I like the idea that the latex would be a little more durable than the paint. I carried it out back today and did my leak test and I don't have leaks so now as soon as I get the sump..I am ready to get this party started.
BJ

teena · 07/19/2007, 06:06 PM

i went to hobby lobby & got a piece of matting that they use behind pictures, it comes in sheets like a poster board, but its thicker, you can cut it to size with a box cutter, they have all colors, then i taped it with clear duct tape,

keaton · 07/19/2007, 09:17 PM

Go black!!

teena · 07/19/2007, 09:31 PM

thats what i went with on my 29g,

grannybj · 07/19/2007, 09:46 PM

I will be getting the background tomorrow I hope and I was thinking dark blue ar black ..thanks for all your input...
BJ

07/16/2007, 03:09 PM	#1
grannybj Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: West Point , Mississippi Posts: 498	Painting the back of a new tank ok so I have researched and read and read and researched about painting the back of tanks but I wanted to hear from some of you guys about what you used if you painted the back or other options that are tried and true. All input welcome and appreciated. BJ

07/16/2007, 03:24 PM	#2
joeycadre Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: jackson Posts: 1,371	plain old enamel house paint. just tape off thetrim and edges and go for it with a brush. it takes a few coats. __________________ "it's not the heat, it's the humility" Current Tank Info: 90 gal. sps mostly. bubble master 200. pci cl-300 chiller

07/16/2007, 03:45 PM	#3
neuroslicer Old School Reefer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Memphis Posts: 1,238	I just buy a blue background and tape it to the back. After a few months it doesn't much matter anyhow, as all you can see if the layer of coralline algae on the back. __________________ Saltwater since 1980. Growing SPS since 1995. Science works, beaches! Current Tank Info: 125 gal mixed reef

07/16/2007, 06:39 PM	#6
sperry Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,244	Playing around on an old 10gal I painted the back and sides white, then after it dried I put a layer of black on. I used Krylon spray. __________________ For a mandarin to keep, a refugium you must have young Padawan.

07/18/2007, 09:33 PM	#8
grannybj Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: West Point , Mississippi Posts: 498	I had not thought of the latex stuff..neat idea and there is a 'sign place close to home so I will give it a shot. I like the idea that the latex would be a little more durable than the paint. I carried it out back today and did my leak test and I don't have leaks so now as soon as I get the sump..I am ready to get this party started. BJ __________________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain................unknown Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef

07/16/2007, 04:01 PM	#4
dtbradly Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 143	I bought household enamel paint in a spray can, I am sure it is much easier to use than the brush on kind.

07/16/2007, 04:28 PM	#5
Cabin3tGuy Moved On Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Collierville Posts: 346	I recommend Krylon Fusion it comes in many colors .... You don't want to use reg. spray paint ... you're looking for any brand that says its appliance spray paint basically ..... then all you need is newspaper and masking tape to cover what you dont want to get sprayed ....

07/18/2007, 08:29 PM	#7
Larson Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kermit's Reef Posts: 161	Granny, if you go to a "sign's place" Sign's first , signs fast etc. And get the latex self adhesive sticky "paper,plastic , whatever it is ". You can have it in the color and size that you want. You get some soapy water in a spray bottle saturate the sticker and the back of the tank. Then apply it , you can move it around freely. Then using a old credit card or small flat piece of plastic to work the air bubbles out. Use a fresh razor to trim the edges and cut around any holes. Let that dry over 24 hrs and you have an instant background that won't come off. That's what myself, Roy, and Dr Peaches all have on the back of our tanks.

07/19/2007, 06:06 PM	#9
teena Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: memphis tn collierville Posts: 1,219	i went to hobby lobby & got a piece of matting that they use behind pictures, it comes in sheets like a poster board, but its thicker, you can cut it to size with a box cutter, they have all colors, then i taped it with clear duct tape, __________________ im pouring all my rainey day money in my reef tank, Current Tank Info: 210 inwall w/soft corls

07/19/2007, 09:17 PM	#10
keaton Actually keaton's mom Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Brunswick, TN Posts: 345	Go black!!

07/19/2007, 09:31 PM	#11
teena Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: memphis tn collierville Posts: 1,219	thats what i went with on my 29g, __________________ im pouring all my rainey day money in my reef tank, Current Tank Info: 210 inwall w/soft corls

07/19/2007, 09:46 PM	#12
grannybj Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: West Point , Mississippi Posts: 498	I will be getting the background tomorrow I hope and I was thinking dark blue ar black ..thanks for all your input... BJ __________________ Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain................unknown Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef