BLUE BACKGROUND?

Have a quick question. I have been seeing in a lot of pictures with some really nice blue backgrounds on tanks. What is the best way to have this look? To paint to back of the glass? Or to just add one of those store bought backgrounds to your tank? If there are other ways please let me know.

 

I think I might paint the back of my tank black or blue...as long as the paint doesn't randomly slip through the glass and poison my fish

 

Is there any type of special paint for aquariums??? ???

 

I think that is aquarium backdrop that you can get at petsmart.

 

ummm
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I was hoping someone would answer that, so I could do it also

 

I think that is aquarium backdrop that you can get at petsmart.

What do you mean aquarium backdrop? Is it that plastic film that you just tape up in the back of the tank?

 

yea that's it and I find most petsmart stores that I go in have a good variety of aquarium backdrops including the plain blue.. a lot of LFS's will too.

 

I seriously doubt if there's any type of paint that will seep through glass. Once paint is dry, it's dry. And any paint will dry WAY before it has a chance to seep through glass. I pretty sure just about any paint will work... the question is how durable it will be. Spray paint would probably work good and be the most durable... as long as you paint it before you set up the tank and cover the top really well. I doubt if paint fumes or overspray in the water would be too healthy for fish. But you'd probably need at least two cans to cover it completely. I just spray painted a window in my garage that already had a thin coat of paint on it and one full can still didn't completely cover it so that no light shows through.

If your tank is already up and going (or even if it isn't), I'd say it would be better to use a can of fairly high quality paint and brush or roll it on. Might not be quite as durable as spray paint, but it would cover a lot better. Either water base or oil base (if you can find it) would work.

The back of one of my tanks is painted black and it looks much better than the plastic backgrounds you buy at fish stores (I have one of those on another tank). Plus water doesn't splash behind a painted backdrop and make water marks like it does with a plastic background... then you have to take off or lift up the background... a pain in the rear (pun intended). But the paint does come off if you scratch something against it. My painted tank came painted, so I don't know what kind of paint was used.

 

well, my parents are out of town and I have nothing to do during the day, so I might try that...thanks for the info

btw, I was being sarcastic when I said I hope the paint doesn't seep through

 

Thanks guys... I might try to paint it a little later... I am going to move in Dec so I have to get rid off all my fish... I will do it when I am setting up again. Thank you for the info.

 

Thanks guys... I might try to paint it a little later... I am going to move in Dec so I have to get rid off all my fish... I will do it when I am setting up again. Thank you for the info.

where do you live, I wouldn't mind taking a couple of angels or swordtails off your hands

 

When setting up my tanks, I painted the back glass with a light blue gloss paint on hte outside. This has proved to be very effective and resiliant to moisture. So long as you clean the glass with methylated spirits the paint will take fine.

 

methylated spirits...can I get that at like a home depot or something?

 

yeah, it's just a spirit that evaporates and destroys any grease on the surface. Most hardware shops sell it.

 

Thanks guys... I might try to paint it a little later... I am going to move in Dec so I have to get rid off all my fish... I will do it when I am setting up again. Thank you for the info.

where do you live, I wouldn't mind taking a couple of angels or swordtails off your hands

I am in Hawaii, unless you live on the Island I am not sure that I will be able to get them to you. Sorry!

 

yeah...i'm in north carolina, so I don't think that would work

 

Sorry!

 

no prob...where are you moving to?

 

I think to Texas... I am in the military... And I have to pass recruiters school before I find out! I want to go to Texas though... I want to buy a house, and I hear that the market is good over there...

 

nice...but why would you leave hawaii?

 

Cause I am in the Marines. I am only stationed here. My 3 years here are up and it is time to move on to another duty station.

 

A lot of breeders paint the bottom,back and sides with dark blue or black paint. It's really easy to scrape off with a razor blade if you want to remove it.
Carol

 

I have never painted a tank, but I thought it would be an idea to have the tank upside down while you paint it, so any paint runs off the tank, rather than into the tank (if that makes sense?!). or if you spray it, so residue can't get in the top. just a thought I thought i'd pass on....

 

Thanks for all the good insight!!!

 

just by the blue backround.....I'm sure you would regret painting it...I doubt that would work very well,,,

 

Painting a tank is not difficult, or permanent. Gloss paint will stick to glass quite well and give you the desired result, and if you want to remove it later, it scrapes off easily. The effect is better than trying to stick a backing on, since it is in contact with the glass at all times, where a backing tends to break away and creates air bubbles.

My main tanks have all been painted and I haven't regretted it.

 

Yeah I agree..I like the painted backs better..I painted one of my tanks not so long ago..I also needed to have this tank barebottom so I painted underneath with stone paint..I love it..gives the affect of rock/marble type look.For the back I just purchased a sample pot in the colour I wanted..very cheap project and looks so much better than a shiny background..although the stone paint was a bit pricier at $25 australian.
Nicole.

 

Personally I like to use 3m avery vinyl on the backs of my tanks, ie the stuff you make signs out of. You just have to make sure to apply it smoothly and you end up with the crisp look of a painted backing, but if you ever want it off, you just peel it off.

This is a 3m black vinyl I just grabbed 2 feet from a 48 inch roll (gave me a 24x48 perfect for the back of my tank) and squeegeed it on while the tank was already running no risk of paint fumes etc. If your not comfortable applying vinyl you can always ask a sign shop to put premask or application tape on the vinyl first, makes applying the film much easier if you have not laid any before. You just have to make sure the premask is put on well, if you see creases or bubbles it will transfer when you apply it, any good sign shop should be able to apply the premask well though.

 

Great looking tank there!