Making black background for acylic tank

[bfin3]

How would I go about making an acrylic tank that is clear on all sides have a black or blue background that looks like it was made that way professionally.

 

[gmax111]

In the past I've gone to walmart and got the blackest window tint I could find then doubled it up and applied to the back. Looks great but you really have to make sure not to get air bubbles, esp around the seems because salt creep will get in. It's easy enough to do and makes the tank resell-able in the future to someone who may not want black background.

 

[mrx66699]

No need to put anything on it ....just paint it ....I have a 540 ATM and its an in wall so its black on 3 sides...you would think its black acrylic on the ends and back but it not....

 

[albano]

Most LFSs/Petcos sell reversible blue/black plastic background...run a strip of tape the entire length of the top to seal it, a few pieces of tape on the sides and bottom, and you're good to go...
IMO the blue is so much brighter for the tank!

 

[bfin3]

3 different strategies lol, more or less what I was expecting to hear. not sure which route I will go.

 

[biecacka]

I'll add one more....I took a very thin piece of black acrylic and attached it via velcro to the back of my tank.

Corey

 

[Mark426]

If you have the room, do a shadow box background. The coolest. I wish I had the space and I would do it. Sorry for slightly off topic.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1868825

Anyway...paint it on the outside with Krylon Fusion. Inexpensive, looks the best, almost foolproof and cant tell it from black acrylic.

 

[bfin3]

That is really neat thanks for adding. Unfortunately I will be having plumbing in the back for a closed loop so that will probably just give me pipe shadows haha. The paint is probably what I will do. Will be the easiest and look good too.

 

[Carlosroach]

Does the coralline end up covering most of it?

 

[Jen0221]

I just bought a piece of vinyl from a local sign shop and put it on the back of my acrylic tank. Looks like it was made with a blue piece of acrylic.

 

[Zer0.]

That is really neat thanks for adding. Unfortunately I will be having plumbing in the back for a closed loop so that will probably just give me pipe shadows haha. The paint is probably what I will do. Will be the easiest and look good too.

I did the sheet from tthe pet store on my first tank. It sucked glueing it on the back and getting all the bubbles out. Second tank I just painted with some acrylic paint and a sponge roller. Honestly the paint was easier, looked better and was even cheaper:bounce3:

 

[Jpugh73]

You can use Plastic Dip looks good and peels right off if you don't like it