background

[Suryc]

what does everyone use for the back of their tank? I tried painting it with some nice blue sparkle poster paint but it peeled off the next day. Is there better paint that will stick or do you all use something else to cover the back?

[ssgibby]

I have used with success outdoor latex paint.

[tangwang]

Go to the craft section of your local WalMart, and get acrylic enamel. It is especially designes for glass and ceramics,won't crack or peel, and if you ever want to change it, it is very easy to scrape off. I've used this method for ever and it warks great.

Matt

[dave_at_winterpeg_ca]

pardon my ignorance, but what do you use to apply it?

a regular paintbrush? a foam brush? a roller?

i'm looking to paint my tank tommorrow...

[TheDogofWar]

pardon my ignorance, but what do you use to apply it?

a regular paintbrush? a foam brush? a roller?

i'm looking to paint my tank tommorrow...

it should be available in both brush on and spray on. I wouldn't use the spray unless you tape and cover the tank if it's in use. Spray is the neatest way though.

If you brush, I tend to have less brush strokes using the foam brushes. You might think about a texture roller. I haven't seen that done but I'm thinking that it would look great and add the illusion of depth.

[dave_at_winterpeg_ca]

Thats a great idea actually; I have a few of those since being thrown into a home renovation project that is never ending. The tank is empty right now, so it will have time to cure etc. Will let you know how it turns out.

[TheDogofWar]

Thats a great idea actually; I have a few of those since being thrown into a home renovation project that is never ending. The tank is empty right now, so it will have time to cure etc. Will let you know how it turns out.

well thank you, I thought it was pretty genius myself. 8) I would really like to see some pics if you could.

[TheDogofWar]

uhh, I'm not sure this will work as well as I originally thought or not. :oops: I'm concerned that the texture won't really be defined because we are talking about the opposite side, does that make sense?

you might have to experiment a bit, like using a coarse roller and doing light coats letting the layers dry completely in between so it doesn't just melt together on the underside. Or maybe you could use a couple different colors. Add a little white to lighten up whatever color you choose between coats.

but hey, just try it! Then we'll know. :) I might play around with it myself but that can't happen until this weekend.

GL

[dave_at_winterpeg_ca]

I'm not having too much success today - with anything it seems - manged to screw up the staining of my new stand - fixable.. installing my ro/di unit is giving me a leak, and acrylic enamel on the back of my tank is making it look blotchy. I used aerosol spray, I think i'm going to have to take it off and try a roller. i guesd tommorrows a new day :|

[tangwang]

I use a small sponge roller, to paint the background on all of my tanks. The sponge paintbrush works just as well, just takes a bit longer. The key to avoiding blotchiness or uneven coverage, is to put on a few coats. Put on the first, let it dry to the touch, then put on a second, let it dry, etc., etc., etc. All of mine look nice and even. The multiple coats may take longer than just slapping on a plastic background, but it looks much better, and you don't have to worry about water, saltcreep etc., getting between the background and glass.

Marr

[dave_at_winterpeg_ca]

I did mine with 1.5 bottles of Acrylic Enamel; and it looks good - I was frustrated the other day after it looked very blotchy, but then realized that It needed alot more coats than 3 to cover the entire thing. So far so good, and cleanup is easy, as I've got some overspray on my floor - I couldn't bring myself to lug the fishtank out into the garage when its -40 out.

Thanks for the DIY Tip everyone.

[salinity]

I was thinking about painting also, but I was at the auto part store and saw some static cling window tint. It is 5% limo black, so it is dark and goes on easy. The roll is 26" wide and 6 feet long, so it will fit almost any tank. It cost $9.99 It took me about 15 minutes to get it on there nice and smooth with no bubbles. Good thing is you can always peel it off and use something else if you want. The only drawback is that it only comes in black.

[c1ownfish]

I just painted mine recently and had no problems with a Flat Enamal paint... Found that it was best to use a foam brush after using a foam roller to get the majority of paint on the glass!! Hope that helps!

[hounddog]

painted mine with black acrilic paint and used a roller. Looks great.

[bzzbee2]

Dang... i want to paint the back of my tank... however its filled with fish and stuff now. would i harm anything by painting with the fish in it... using a brush or roller of course...