Tank Back Painting

[mcox33]

Okay I think I have decided to paint the back of the new tank BLUE.

Anyone know what kind of paint is best for this and about how much it will take to do the back of a 90 gallon dual corner overflow?

 

[reefnetworth]

Marine Paint, is my only choice. :thumbsup:

 

[fishmon]

We used oil base on all our tanks at the store, it takes much longer to dry but is well worth the wait, very durable. I have tanks that have been in use for years and look great. Make sure to clean the outside with rubbing alcohol before you start.

 

[jmccown]

Krylon Fusion - you can get it at Wal-Mart. They have a very nice blue as well as black. I've used it on all my tanks with good results.

 

[LowCel]

Just so you know I painted my tank blue when I had my reef going. I quickly regretted it and wished that I had gone with black instead. Black just seems to make the corals stand out more and give the tank more depth.

This is especially true if you have black overflows in the tank. With a black background they just blend right in. With a blue background it makes the black overflows stick out like a sore thumb.

Just my two cents.

 

[firefish2020]

I agree with Bruce, Black does look best.

 

[jmccown]

Agreed, Black is nice. I've tried both, black is much better.

 

[apapas]

i have mirrored tint on the back of mine

 

[mcox33]

okay perhaps I will stay with Black then, I just thought the blue would be more oceany looking. But Black will match the room better as well. So Black oil based Exterior Paint, right?

 

[radone]

I used rustoelum black and did 3 coats, really doesn't matter much especially if it is covered with coraline. I know it took way less than a quart do do the 125

I used a sponge roller for a smooth finish

 

[igotsalt]

mirrored tint?

mirrored tint?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11104852#post11104852 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by apapas
i have mirrored tint on the back of mine

Do you like the mirrorred tint? Is this the sheets that you adhere to back of tank? I wondered if it was durable after cleaning the coraline off back of tank with magnet? Does it mar it or tear it up??

 

[carb850]

Has anyone tried the acrylic or vinyl adhesive backing?

 

[LowCel]

I'm using the vinyl adhesive backing on two of my tanks, a 55 gallon and a 210. It is the best backing I have ever used, it looks just like paint just not as messy to apply.

 

[fishmon]

I've used the vinyl backing on a few client tanks and my home tank, it looks great and works great you just have to take your time putting it on so you don't have bubbles. A tiny bit of dawn dishwashing liquid mixed w/ water, spray the back of aquarium until very wet and also saturate the actual vinyl sticky as you peel the backing away, lay the vinyl on the tank and use a squeege or credit card to work out the bubbles starting from the middle out. The water/dawn mix gives you longer work time on the vinyl in case you put it in the wrong place and keeps it from sticking together too. any small bubbles left use a hair dryer to heat them and work them out or take a needle or razor blade to pop them and work the air/water out. trim out the excess and your done. You can buy the vinyl from most any sign company.