Paint tank or not?

Motoreefer99 · 02/07/2016, 03:21 PM

So I'm in the process of setting up my tank and was wondering should I paint the back of the tank or not??

thelawnwrangler · 02/07/2016, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motoreefer99

So I'm in the process of setting up my tank and was wondering should I paint the back of the tank or not??

I likes the looks of painted back wall- haven't done it bc I have an all in one with black acrylic back, but supposedly not hard.

dpulve · 02/07/2016, 03:32 PM

Easy to do and looks good only issue I ever had was scratching the paint when working behind it, but it does look good.

cloak · 02/07/2016, 03:40 PM

I prefer to use those vinyl backgrounds they sell at the LFS. They're real easy to apply and if you ever get tired of the black you can change to blue or vice versa. Also, if you ever decide to sell the tank the buyer will be able to decide which color they want as well. Definitely a plus IMO.

Sk8r · 02/07/2016, 03:40 PM

I just got through stripping mine, a process made easier because it was sticky-film. It restored the reflectivity (I have a wedge tank.)

I wonder if applying auto film would be quicker and neater.

CarrieB · 02/07/2016, 04:00 PM

Ha. I just got done stripping the blue vinyl off the back of the tank I just acquired. I may just leave it bare.

gotskillz11 · 02/07/2016, 05:58 PM

I've used limo tint before, looks great and easy to remove with soapy water solution.

scubadan206 · 02/07/2016, 11:13 PM

Use plasti-dip from the automotive world. Comes in many different colors and can be peeled off easily if you want to change it...

SoloGarth · 02/08/2016, 12:14 AM

Dark window tint. I got mine at Walmart. Appears black from the front but you can see through it from the back.

MondoBongo · 02/08/2016, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scubadan206

Use plasti-dip from the automotive world. Comes in many different colors and can be peeled off easily if you want to change it...

that's actually genius. i didn't think to get any of this when i was doing my tank, and ended up using a semi-gloss acrylic to paint it.

it worked well enough, but it took about 3 coats to cover well.

to the OP: it is my preference to use something on the back of the tank. be it paint or other. my first tank i did not cover the back with anything and it always looked kind meg. you could see wires and plumbing, not what i wanted. but after i set it up, it was too late to change it without having to drain the while thing and move it out.

gone fishin · 02/08/2016, 08:54 AM

I initially painted mine but over time coralline has covered the back anyway. But some folks don't like the coralline covering the back of the tank.

scooter31707 · 02/08/2016, 11:13 AM

Some people paint them, use window tint. I went to Michaels and brought a piece of black cardboard. I cut it to size and use doubled-sided tape to apply it. A grand total of $4. They come in black and blue.

cloak · 02/08/2016, 11:27 AM

I tried the cardboard one time, (sort of a baby blue color) but over time water did in fact find it's way onto the cardboard and it not only warped it, but it left spots as well.

FortyFour · 02/08/2016, 11:29 AM

I'd paint it black but the window tint idea sounds good as well.

E46er · 02/08/2016, 11:57 AM

i painted mine black when i got into this hobby 8-10 years ago, i havent regretted it yet.

wookiefever · 02/08/2016, 02:37 PM

I have mine painted and I really like it. Just used krylon fusion and it comes off nicely with a razor blade.

all in all it costed me $10 and I don't have to worry about air bubbles or water.

Motoreefer99 · 02/08/2016, 08:25 PM

Painted it today with black krylon and it looks great!! Also it helps hide the overflows which is a bonus!!

leviburns89 · 02/08/2016, 08:39 PM

I used a high strength black enamel. About $6 for a spray can.

A solid background brings your point of focus to the rocks/inhabitants of the tank, vs the back of the tank.

Plus you don't want to look at all the wires from the various equipment.

TimeConsumer · 02/08/2016, 09:50 PM

Just to mention painting the back of the tank reduces the mirror-effect that glass has on your lighting. In essence it reduces the amount of light available to the tank. See here: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/5/equipment

Essentially when light passes from the optically dense glass to the less optically dense air the result is the phenomenon of total internal reflection. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_internal_reflection

So if higher par at the back of the tank is important to you I would not paint the background nor use tint. The taped-on vinyl backgrounds would still leave the air gap to allow for TIR.

CarrieB · 02/16/2016, 03:37 PM

BTW, automotive window tinting is 2' wide. Since my tank is taller than that, I went to Lowe's and got the regular window tinting. Worked great.

aclark · 02/16/2016, 04:44 PM

Just picked up a tube of black acrylic paint from Michaels today. After not painting my 75 gallon FW, and having to use a black garbage bag taped on, I am planning ahead on this one. Note: the 75 gallon doesn't look terrible, but its not ideal either.

kmbyrnes · 02/16/2016, 06:46 PM

I have both a black vinyl and blue painted background on my tanks.
Krylon Fusion worked well.
Either way is a better option than seeing wires and plumbing behind your tank.

jj reef · 02/16/2016, 09:01 PM

Cloak said it the best

xmas_one · 02/16/2016, 09:09 PM

I've done a few tanks, both reef and planted with privacy "frost" film, it turns out real nice. It adds depth to the tank.

02/07/2016, 03:21 PM	#1
Motoreefer99 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 5	Paint tank or not? So I'm in the process of setting up my tank and was wondering should I paint the back of the tank or not??

02/07/2016, 03:40 PM	#5
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I just got through stripping mine, a process made easier because it was sticky-film. It restored the reflectivity (I have a wedge tank.) I wonder if applying auto film would be quicker and neater. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

02/08/2016, 12:14 AM	#9
SoloGarth Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Otis, MA Posts: 1,126	Dark window tint. I got mine at Walmart. Appears black from the front but you can see through it from the back. __________________ 120G Miracles Starfire SPS system Calcium Rx, Bio Pellets, Radions and Gyres My Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2549420

02/08/2016, 08:54 AM	#11
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	I initially painted mine but over time coralline has covered the back anyway. But some folks don't like the coralline covering the back of the tank. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

02/08/2016, 11:57 AM	#15
E46er Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: BC Posts: 136	i painted mine black when i got into this hobby 8-10 years ago, i havent regretted it yet. __________________ 250G DD LED SPS corner blow out RIP 300 G build in progress 80”x36”x24” 180G LED see thru

02/07/2016, 03:32 PM	#3
dpulve Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Woodhaven MI Posts: 68	Easy to do and looks good only issue I ever had was scratching the paint when working behind it, but it does look good.

02/07/2016, 03:40 PM	#4
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	I prefer to use those vinyl backgrounds they sell at the LFS. They're real easy to apply and if you ever get tired of the black you can change to blue or vice versa. Also, if you ever decide to sell the tank the buyer will be able to decide which color they want as well. Definitely a plus IMO.

02/07/2016, 04:00 PM	#6
CarrieB Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 526	Ha. I just got done stripping the blue vinyl off the back of the tank I just acquired. I may just leave it bare.

02/07/2016, 05:58 PM	#7
gotskillz11 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 36	I've used limo tint before, looks great and easy to remove with soapy water solution.

02/07/2016, 11:13 PM	#8
scubadan206 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Kenosha WI Posts: 985	Use plasti-dip from the automotive world. Comes in many different colors and can be peeled off easily if you want to change it...

02/08/2016, 11:13 AM	#12
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	Some people paint them, use window tint. I went to Michaels and brought a piece of black cardboard. I cut it to size and use doubled-sided tape to apply it. A grand total of $4. They come in black and blue.

02/08/2016, 11:27 AM	#13
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	I tried the cardboard one time, (sort of a baby blue color) but over time water did in fact find it's way onto the cardboard and it not only warped it, but it left spots as well.

02/08/2016, 11:29 AM	#14
FortyFour Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 371	I'd paint it black but the window tint idea sounds good as well.

02/08/2016, 02:37 PM	#16
wookiefever Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 167	I have mine painted and I really like it. Just used krylon fusion and it comes off nicely with a razor blade. all in all it costed me $10 and I don't have to worry about air bubbles or water.

02/08/2016, 08:25 PM	#17
Motoreefer99 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 5	Painted it today with black krylon and it looks great!! Also it helps hide the overflows which is a bonus!!

02/08/2016, 08:39 PM	#18
leviburns89 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 652	I used a high strength black enamel. About $6 for a spray can. A solid background brings your point of focus to the rocks/inhabitants of the tank, vs the back of the tank. Plus you don't want to look at all the wires from the various equipment.

02/08/2016, 09:50 PM	#19
TimeConsumer Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Orleans, La Posts: 1,919	Just to mention painting the back of the tank reduces the mirror-effect that glass has on your lighting. In essence it reduces the amount of light available to the tank. See here: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/5/equipment Essentially when light passes from the optically dense glass to the less optically dense air the result is the phenomenon of total internal reflection. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_internal_reflection So if higher par at the back of the tank is important to you I would not paint the background nor use tint. The taped-on vinyl backgrounds would still leave the air gap to allow for TIR. __________________ Steve - Retired from reefing, for now.

02/16/2016, 03:37 PM	#20
CarrieB Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 526	BTW, automotive window tinting is 2' wide. Since my tank is taller than that, I went to Lowe's and got the regular window tinting. Worked great.

02/16/2016, 04:44 PM	#21
aclark Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Crown Point, IN Posts: 8	Just picked up a tube of black acrylic paint from Michaels today. After not painting my 75 gallon FW, and having to use a black garbage bag taped on, I am planning ahead on this one. Note: the 75 gallon doesn't look terrible, but its not ideal either.

02/16/2016, 06:46 PM	#22
kmbyrnes Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 2,055	I have both a black vinyl and blue painted background on my tanks. Krylon Fusion worked well. Either way is a better option than seeing wires and plumbing behind your tank. __________________ 125g Mixed Reef 5/26/2015; 350 Butterfly Dominated FOWLR 11/26/2015 - 11/17/20217 & 07/31/18 to ??? ; 100g Mixed Reef 11/16/2013 to 06/16/2017 Current Tank Info: Too small

02/16/2016, 09:01 PM	#23
jj reef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 11	Cloak said it the best __________________ Josh

02/16/2016, 09:09 PM	#24
xmas_one Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: long beach, ca Posts: 181	I've done a few tanks, both reef and planted with privacy "frost" film, it turns out real nice. It adds depth to the tank.