Black background?

[hmspradlin]

Okay- trying to decide if I should paint the back of my new aquarium black.. I've never painted a background on an aquarium so what kind of paint? Do you think it makes a difference? What are your opinions overall?

 

[CrazyEyes]

I think black looks the best. You can use cheap $1/can flat black spray paint and the glass will make it look glossy.

 

[risin]

I did blue on my current tank. I like it, but black is probably safer.

 

[hmspradlin]

Safer? Just curious not trying to sound mean I just don't know what that means

 

[rogergolf66]

All personal preference. I like blue back rounds but yes do something with it so u can't see pipes and wires

 

[magnoliarichj]

Just use plastidip works great

 

[hmspradlin]

So just black spray paint huh? Flat is best not to cause extra reflection?

 

[CrazyEyes]

Its the same concept of adding clear coat to a car, the glass is going to make whatever color you paint it look glossy. Mine is spray painted with 98 cent home depot flat black spray paint and you'd never know it was flat black looking through the tank.

 

[SuperDodge]

Agreed.

I usually spring for high end paint for EVERYTHING because it is easier to apply, looks better and holds up better. In this case, it just doesn't matter. Go CHEAP!

 

[Webmanny]

I did mine flat black, same as some of the guys here. I think they say black is safer because it absorbs more light. If your tank is going against a wall, you should be fine, but if there is a window behind it, black will cover the light better.

Just my two cents.

 

[flipstyle72]

So just black spray paint huh? Flat is best not to cause extra reflection?

someone above suggest plastidip. I 2nd that. You can easily peel it off if you need to so it's not permanent. depending on paint used, probably cheaper too.

 

[risin]

Safer? Just curious not trying to sound mean I just don't know what that means

I meant safer in terms of how it looks. Blue is a bit bold.

 

[hmspradlin]

It's going straight up against a wood grain wall. there is a window to the side, but cant paint the side right?

Okay so OT- but Im wanting to waterproof/seal the bottom of my tank if say--spillage. I've read Kilz, I've read rustoleom epoxy... I am a woman-- hence you should see me in a home improvement store. I have no idea the difference between shellac, epoxy, blah blah, man talk.

I like the color of my stand.. and If I was going to waterproof/seal the bottom I wouldn't be objective to painting it all, but most of the stuff people recommend are hideous colors because they're only painting the inside. Basically, is there a waterproof something or other I can paint on that won't change the color of my stand?

 

[CrazyEyes]

I think blue would look decent on a 90g. I think blue makes the tank look deeper than what it is. My g/f's tank has a blue background and I personally think blue backgrounds look terrible,

 

[CrazyEyes]

I think you should silicone the inside with a caulk, then primer it with a water based primer like kilz, then finish it up with gloss white water based Kilz latex paint.

 

[hmspradlin]

I think you should silicone the inside with a caulk, then primer it with a water based primer like kilz, then finish it up with gloss white water based Kilz latex paint.

My only issue is I really like the wood grain look. It goes well with my room.. So if i did what you suggest I'd only wanna do that to the bottom, inside. So you couldn't see it from the outside

 

[CrazyEyes]

On my stand I only water proofed the inside, the outside just has regular black paint on it.

 

[planedoc]

A clear floor finish would protect your stand for decades. It would take several coats to get all the cracks sealed but it would be 99 % water proof. I like minwax polyurethane. It would make your wood look beautiful and you could even stain the wood before you apply it. It's for hardwood floors it's very tough

 

[bmullikin1]

I used bLack vinal window tint from lowes, works great and comes off easy if you need too.

 

[Mlongnecker11]

I used a matte black from homedepot and it looks really good, not that it really matters on my tank because you can't really see the back. Just be sure to tape it off really good so you don't get any over spray. But definitely go with some sort of background, it gives such a cleaner look to the tank.