Painting My Aquarium

MIKEMARTIN · 10/05/2006, 07:07 AM

I'm setting up a 120 gal reef and my lfs guy told me to paint the back and sides of my tank with black enamel paint to enhance all the colors in it. Is this a good idea or is there another way to enhance the colors?? I don't want to put the paper stuff because it always falls off. Also I don't know if I want it black or a nice blue.What's the best way to do this??? your info and advice are greatly appreciated!!

kstuart · 10/05/2006, 07:21 AM

Have a look at this thread, good ideas

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=942026

kraze3 · 10/05/2006, 07:23 AM

Many paint the backs of their aquariums. The sides is up to you. If your tank can be iewed from the sides then I would leave them unpainted. No sense in blocking any views. You could get a 1/2 inch piece of plywood or a piece of cardboard and paint that and prop it up behind your tank. This way if you want to change the color you can without scraping paint off your glass. You can also buy black or blue tint and apply that to the back glass, it peels off fairly easy.

Lydo · 10/05/2006, 08:10 AM

I painted the back of my aquarium Blue. I did that last week. If your worried about making a mess don't worry. The paint comes off very easily with a rasorblade. I made a few mistakes that show on the outside of the tank but not on the inside.

imtheonlylp · 10/05/2006, 08:26 AM

ive read before that the Krylon paint works well...i personally have the blue paper background clear-taped to the back of mine...im sure it doesnt look as good as a painted back, but its too late to paint it now lol

Shagsbeard · 10/05/2006, 09:00 AM

It's all about contrast. A black background really makes colors stand out. It's much better than seeing 1970's wood panelling behind your reef. My tank is 360 viewable, so paint isn't an option.

oldsaltman · 10/05/2006, 09:10 AM

FWIW, I used painted cardboard on the back of mine and I think it looked great. Now the back is covered in coralline algae and you can't see through it anyway!

I don't scrape the back only the sides and front. The back also has pods all over it. Once you stop cleaning the back the coralline really takes off!

Runner · 10/05/2006, 09:16 AM

I painted the back of mine with multiple coats of Navy Blue. Black might have given more contrast, but I like it. The multiple coats add a "depth" to the tank by giving color variation as some areas get double/triple coated and other areas are thinner.

Bonus: I have a light in my sump that is on 24/7 and the glow from behind the tank makes for a nice "moonlight"...

Here is a link to a 1.5 year old picture in my gallery:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...pleteSetup.jpg

MIKEMARTIN · 10/05/2006, 09:38 AM

Did you guys use enamel paint or just any kind of paint from home depot?

iamjero · 10/05/2006, 09:40 AM

Quote:

I have a light in my sump that is on 24/7

I am assuming that the light on your sump is for growing macroalgae. I do know that terrestrial plants grow the best under 18 hours of light and 6 hours of dark. Is macroalgae different in this regard?

Runner · 10/05/2006, 11:01 AM

I used a small can of enamel from Home Depot, actually. The paint-on kind, not the spray kind. I brushed it on so that the strokes to give variation.

@iamjero: Yes, the lights are for the macro in my sump and it does not need a rest respiration period like the more complex plants need . The lights on 24/7 keeps it from reproducing by releasing a bunch of stuff into the water. It grows faster under constant light.

MIKEMARTIN · 10/05/2006, 11:11 AM

Thanks alot guys!!!!! Going to Home Depot tonight

10/05/2006, 07:07 AM	#1
MIKEMARTIN Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 100	Painting My Aquarium I'm setting up a 120 gal reef and my lfs guy told me to paint the back and sides of my tank with black enamel paint to enhance all the colors in it. Is this a good idea or is there another way to enhance the colors?? I don't want to put the paper stuff because it always falls off. Also I don't know if I want it black or a nice blue.What's the best way to do this??? your info and advice are greatly appreciated!!

10/05/2006, 07:21 AM	#2
kstuart Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 413	Have a look at this thread, good ideas http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=942026 __________________ Computers allow us to make mistakes faster then any other invention in history....except for tequila and handguns Current Tank Info: 90g RR Display, 2x250w PFO HQI MH's, Phoenix 14k, ASM G3, ACJR, Tunzes/Multi Controller, Kalk Reactor, Basement Sump Room

10/05/2006, 08:26 AM	#5
imtheonlylp Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Columbus, Ga Posts: 465	ive read before that the Krylon paint works well...i personally have the blue paper background clear-taped to the back of mine...im sure it doesnt look as good as a painted back, but its too late to paint it now lol __________________ "Tomorrow is the only day that appeals to a lazy man" - Jimmy Lyons Current Tank Info: 75g glass, 20g sump/refugium, QueenTS200, CA2300 return pump, (2) AquaClear4000 powerheads

10/05/2006, 09:10 AM	#7
oldsaltman Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ga Posts: 1,333	FWIW, I used painted cardboard on the back of mine and I think it looked great. Now the back is covered in coralline algae and you can't see through it anyway! I don't scrape the back only the sides and front. The back also has pods all over it. Once you stop cleaning the back the coralline really takes off! __________________ "No honey I can't just send it back. It's all wet and they won't take it back now!" Current Tank Info: 90g inwall with a 30g sump

10/05/2006, 09:16 AM	#8
Runner Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 3,196 Blog Entries: 1	I painted the back of mine with multiple coats of Navy Blue. Black might have given more contrast, but I like it. The multiple coats add a "depth" to the tank by giving color variation as some areas get double/triple coated and other areas are thinner. Bonus: I have a light in my sump that is on 24/7 and the glow from behind the tank makes for a nice "moonlight"... Here is a link to a 1.5 year old picture in my gallery: http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...pleteSetup.jpg __________________ -Scott "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." -George Orwell Current Tank Info: 24G Reef cube with Cree LED DIY Retrofit

10/05/2006, 07:23 AM	#3
kraze3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: RI Posts: 2,373	Many paint the backs of their aquariums. The sides is up to you. If your tank can be iewed from the sides then I would leave them unpainted. No sense in blocking any views. You could get a 1/2 inch piece of plywood or a piece of cardboard and paint that and prop it up behind your tank. This way if you want to change the color you can without scraping paint off your glass. You can also buy black or blue tint and apply that to the back glass, it peels off fairly easy.

10/05/2006, 08:10 AM	#4
Lydo Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 121	I painted the back of my aquarium Blue. I did that last week. If your worried about making a mess don't worry. The paint comes off very easily with a rasorblade. I made a few mistakes that show on the outside of the tank but not on the inside.

10/05/2006, 09:00 AM	#6
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	It's all about contrast. A black background really makes colors stand out. It's much better than seeing 1970's wood panelling behind your reef. My tank is 360 viewable, so paint isn't an option.

10/05/2006, 09:38 AM	#9
MIKEMARTIN Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 100	Did you guys use enamel paint or just any kind of paint from home depot?

10/05/2006, 11:01 AM	#11
Runner Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 3,196 Blog Entries: 1	I used a small can of enamel from Home Depot, actually. The paint-on kind, not the spray kind. I brushed it on so that the strokes to give variation. @iamjero: Yes, the lights are for the macro in my sump and it does not need a rest respiration period like the more complex plants need . The lights on 24/7 keeps it from reproducing by releasing a bunch of stuff into the water. It grows faster under constant light. __________________ -Scott "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." -George Orwell Current Tank Info: 24G Reef cube with Cree LED DIY Retrofit

10/05/2006, 11:11 AM	#12
MIKEMARTIN Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 100	Thanks alot guys!!!!! Going to Home Depot tonight