Painting a tank?

[dawgs]

i will be picking up my new tank on saturday. 120 gal. what is the proper way to black out the back of the tank? should i paint it? what kind of paint? what other back grounds do you guys use? im all ears

[crvz]

coroplast, a thin honeycomb plastic material, can be attached to the tank. You can get it at any sign store, ~$20 for a full 4'x8' sheet (may not be stocked, but should be a day or two to get it so call ahead).

[aquawolf]

I used Krylon Fusion paint when I painted the back of my tank blue. It covers and sticks to the glass very well. The only issue is it is semi-permanent so you need to make sure that is what you want to do before doing it.

I have seen others use black fabric with velcro to hold it on for easy removal. Others have used poster board type material which is very cheap and easy to replace as well.

Best of luck with it.

[ckusnierek]

I did not use coloplast or any other backing because I was scared the eventually salt crep would run down or work it's was back there..

I painted mine.
I had the paint store tint the primer (Zinzer)
I found that even the primer scrached off and would even rub off so I put a top coat of black enamel. the enamnel is very hard and protects the primer. It looks great!

[guitar8222]

I used latex paint on mine and it worked fine. It's pretty easy to remove as well too which works for and against you since it does scratch off kinda easy.

[crvz]

I've used the coroplast for 2 years without a trace of salt creep, but much of the tank is covered in coralline now in any case.

[fz6bill]

why not just order a tank background in a solid color they are under $20 or check that local sign shop for some inexpensive vinyl? no chips or scratches in the paint and you wont have to figure out how to adhere a panel or fabric to the glass.

[Big B]

Here is your laugh of the day!

I just used a black trash bag and used duct tape to keep it on. If you looked at my tank, you would never know. As already stated. Once it gets some coraline growing and the live rock is in there, it does not make much difference.

[tdwyatt]

Originally Posted by aquawolf

I used Krylon Fusion paint when I painted the back of my tank blue. It covers and sticks to the glass very well. The only issue is it is semi-permanent so you need to make sure that is what you want to do before doing it...

Ditto,

Make sure the glass is really clean to prevent peeling down the road. Although I personally prefer the royal blue, the black really makes coral coloration pop.

[Dragonist]

Originally Posted by Big B

Here is your laugh of the day!

I just used a black trash bag and used duct tape to keep it on. If you looked at my tank, you would never know. As already stated. Once it gets some coraline growing and the live rock is in there, it does not make much difference.

I used xmas wrapping paper and spary painted it black!

[kwdelre]

Here is mine. Doubled up fabric and velcro.

[Mr.Peanut]

My display is tinted black with something like car window tint.

I painted the back of my Q/T with Rustoleum satin black.

[Hop]

I've used a host of things in the past, but the krylon fusion was by far the cheapest and has held up very well.

[aquawolf]

The trash bag idea sounds rather intriguing as well. I am wondering if it might actually look like the tank has more depth if you did not pull it tight against the glass everywhere, and left crevices in it so to speak.

[Big B]

It does give the back some dimension in the beginning. Can't really tell anything at this point. It is mostly covered.