DIY Tank Backgrounds

thor32766 · #1 03/20/2006, 09:22 PM

Hello,
I am in the stages of setting up my 220 gallon tank. As far as backgrounds, I dont want the old type where you tape in on the back. Does anybody have pics of their tanks with painted backgrounds to see what they look like. Or any advice is also welcome.

thanks for your time
brian

cmhollis · #2 03/20/2006, 09:55 PM

Here is a photo of mine. I painted the sides and back as it will be eventually built in to the wall:

Mike

cmhollis · #3 03/20/2006, 09:57 PM

I used either Rustoleum or Krylon in a rattle can, can't remember which. I used a blue, but sometimes I wish I would have went with black so that the overflow boxes wouldn't be so obvious.

panaboy95 · #4 03/20/2006, 10:32 PM

mine is being built into a bar in my basement i just went to autozone and bought some 2% window tint. worked perfect.

thor32766 · #5 03/20/2006, 10:40 PM

hey cmhollis
thanks for the pic. I see your Warfare Pin there. I was an OS (Operations Specialist).
thanks for the replys everyone.

marino420td · #6 03/20/2006, 10:48 PM

I bought my black backing from my LFS. It was applied to the back of the tank like window tinting.

tptp279 · #7 03/21/2006, 02:24 AM

i just spray paint mine, have 4 tanks all spray painted...

dweakl01 · #8 03/21/2006, 07:29 AM

Mine is spray painted with Krylon Fusion.

GoldStripe · #9 03/21/2006, 08:17 AM

I'm glad this question was asked because I'm about to do the same thing!! I guess I'll go with a spray black.

Runner · #10 03/21/2006, 08:18 AM

I painted on navy blue acrylic enamel. Three coats. It doesn't look as uniform as spraying because you see the brush strokes, but I like it. It is mostly covered now, anyway. Here is a pic right after I first set up my tank:

And another:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...6275G_Tank.jpg

My old picture in my gallery from the side doesn't show you anything on the paint...

reg828 · #11 03/28/2006, 01:32 AM

black is the best background because you can see the color of the corals better. what im saying is the color is more noticeable, especially with actinic light. it also hides the algae best.

Runner · #12 03/28/2006, 08:08 AM

I wanted to do black for the reasons you stated; however, I have a 6" mechanical chase at the back of my tank and a light on 24/7 over the refugium in my sump. The navy background lets just enough light through to give a soft "moonlight" glow that a black background would not do.

newnano · #13 03/28/2006, 01:09 PM

all most all spray paints are petroleum based and some have acetone in them. can that eat away your silicone?

wildcats · #14 03/28/2006, 01:21 PM

There shouldn't be any silicone on the outside of the tank. so that shouldn't cause you any concerns.

I hadn't thought about the window tint idea. I like that option as it would be cleaner/easier to change.

There is a website which I had seen that sold many different vinyl based backgrounds for this purpose> I can't for the life of me remember where it was, maybe someone else can chime in

sales weasel · #15 03/28/2006, 10:08 PM

Has anyone rolled or brushed on their paint? After all the preparation, I forgot to paint mine and it's now filled and stocked.

Runner · #16 03/28/2006, 10:23 PM

I did. See above. I applied acrylic enamel paint with a paintbrush. It took three coats to cover over all the spaces in the brush strokes, though.

hahnmeister · #17 03/29/2006, 03:37 AM

I am making aragacrete 'walls' to place along the back wall of the tank so that I dont see the acrylic.

GABONE · #18 03/29/2006, 11:55 AM

I like misting the tank with black spray paint, and then going over with a royal blue color. It gives a deep water look to the tank, the blue is clearly visible, but the black adds some shadowing. Give it a try on some spare peice of clear plastic. Good luck!

alien9168 · #19 03/29/2006, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cmhollis
Here is a photo of mine. I painted the sides and back as it will be eventually built in to the wall:

Mike

Nice sand fluctuation.

-alien

alien9168 · #20 03/29/2006, 02:16 PM

Use krylon fusion. That stuff adheres really well to glass.

-alien

alien9168 · #21 03/29/2006, 02:17 PM

It also comes in alot of different colors. So its "custom"

-alien

sn8kbit · #22 03/29/2006, 06:02 PM

I'm not sure if this counts, as it's not in use, yet, but I'm using some leftover Heat Control Film on my 40g breeder frag/grow out. The base and two sides will have it. I'll be using a T-5 light, and I figure this will keep more light in the tank (?) since it has a mirrored finish. I'd do the back also, but that's a lot of paint to scrape, very time consuming as I've already had to scrape each side.

alien9168 · #23 03/29/2006, 06:08 PM

what is heat control film? How do you apply it?

Thanks.

-alien

leaffish75 · #24 03/29/2006, 06:22 PM

I bought some limo black tint vinyl stuff for my room windows. this stuff would work on the tanks. I got it from Joanns fabrics.

sn8kbit · #25 03/29/2006, 07:07 PM

It's similar to window tinting. Picked it up at home depot a while back. I don't remember exactly how much, but very cheap for the amount of film. I originally purchased it since I was getting extreme temps in my living room with my main tank through "greenhouse" effect with my patio doors.

Application is simple, I use a water bottle on the surface I'm applying to, and the film as you peel the outer layer off. I then go over it with a hair dryer while squeeging (sp?) out the air bubbles. Small size sides you can apply yourself, but I'd recommend a second person to help apply a back side or base to keep the tint from sticking to itself.