No Black Back Glass, Why Why WHy?

[hankstanks]

I have always bought acrylic tanks because of the weight and the option to have a solid black black (or blue).

After countless times re taping that crappy film on the back of the AllGlass tanks I gave up and switched to acrylic.

Well, I just scratched the front of my acrylic set up pretty deep (final touches on the aquascap;(

Has anyone ever had luck painting the back of a glass aquarium?
If so, please let me know because it will take less than 2 seconds for me to call the LFS and order one. If I can paint it, glass it is, if I cannot then I am going to build a Glass tank with a black acrylic back....

Hit me back if you have ever done this. I have never had luck painting on glass (for other projects in the past...That is why I am asking before screwing up a tank.

Hank

[dwall174]

Brand name made by rust-oleum!
I used one of those small sponge style rollers & applied three coats! It's been on there for three years now & still holding!

[dwall174]

Heres a view from the front.

[adrianleewelch]

the best paint will prolly be pc (polycarbonate) paint from the hobby store, I think they use it to paint remote control car bodies from the inside since they come clear, it leaves no brush marks on the viewed side, I think it works on glass, ask the hobby shop to be sure, my lfs uses blue latex paint on all their display tanks, it looks great !

[mnreefgeek]

ditto on the rustoleum. Make sure when you paint you alternate your stroke direction between coats, i.e. first coat = top to bottom/ second coat = side to side. This will help to ensure that you've covered the whole piece of glass and that there are no hidden unpainted streaks.

[hankstanks]

I am going to go ahead and paint the back of the tank.

I appreciate the insite...

[ManInTheJar]

You know i've been thinking about trying Limo Tint something like a 5% or less .I think you can even get like a 2% or less .Haven't tried it yet but something to think about ! Anyone have any Pros or Cons on the Idea?

[gumhead]

I just use regular acrylic latex exterior house paint. I have been painting tanks for 10 years with no prob. I use a roller, it does take a few days, maybe even a week to fully dry so be careful but after that its pretty tough...

Just make sure you paint the outside not the inside it will last longer.... Just kidding

[Chip Wick]

I painted the back of my All-Glass 72 gallon bow front with blue (acrylic I think). Absolutely zero problems. Unlike the REST of the tank!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even if you get what looks like an uneven coating (i.e. if lit from behind the tank, which I thought looked pretty cool, or lit from within the tank and viewed from the back) it doesn't show up when the tank is lit from within and viewed from the front, so don't go too nuts on it. I think I did three coats, and it's absolutely flawless (excuse me while I break my arm patting myself on the back)

[meiamcool]

That limo tint idea sounds like a good one. Just go to a tint shop and ask how much a peice is. They make a 2% tint also by the way. I'd even check AutoZone for some. Since it won't be under any kind of heavy light it shouldn't fade or bubble. Unless you just completely screw it up.

[thefatman]

i've used everything from expensive acrylic latex paint, to cheapo big lots interior latex, to rustoleum for metal paints. all have worked fine. been painting the backs of my tanks for 8 years.

i prefer latex the best. after a while if you get tired of the color, it can be peeled off and a new color can be put on.

agree with the other posts, use a sponge roller, and alternate directions with each coat. i usually get by with three good coats.

also, be certain the glass is CLEAN.. particularly no fingerprints. the oils will cause the paint to not stick to the glass, and will create "holes" in the paint job, that are near impossible to cover.

[big t]

Just so you know you can not build a glass tank w/ a acrylic panel. it will absolutely not stick w/ any type of glue. How thick is your tank? I bet you could get the scratch out

[hankstanks]

scratches aren't that bad but they are dead center of the tank.
I will give it a try...

THanks everyone!

[caesura]

Oceanic makes tanks with tinted back glass.

[CaymanLoversII]

Instead of taping the black or blue vinyl on the back of my tanks I cover the glass or vinyl with a thin coat of vegetable oil, put the vinyl on the glass and squeeze the air bubbles out with something round and relatively firm but not sharp, like a ballpoint pen, slid sideways across the vinyl from the center out in each direction.
I have also used car window tint on the side walls to reduce outside sunlight from coming in and increasing algae growth.