what to paint the back of the tank with??

[pecaco34]

I need to paint the back of my new tank black and was wondering what kind of paint people were using. My LFS told me to use spray paint but a buddy of mine said it would harm the glass and i needed to use an oil based paint. The overflow takes up the entire left side of the tank and though its set up against a wall now there is always the possibility it could be used as 3 sided tank in the future. Any input is appreciated.

Gabe

 

[aaronpentz]

Spary paint it. Doesnt hurt the glass and I would go with black. JMO.

Rolling paint on would take like 5 or more coats and spraying it always comes out better. easily removeable with a rasor blade.

Krylon Fusion is what others here use as its reef safe after its dry.

 

[jimbo045]

Spray paint is fine. JD

 

[jer1198]

i used water based "rustoleum" i think it was called painters choice, i used a foam roller, and made about 6 or 7 coats, i didnt want all the fumes and spray dust inside the tank, or my nose.

as far as spraying coming out better, i have seen "sprayed" tanks, and rolled tanks, they all look the same.

 

[stugray]

I used a $1 can of mismixed Latex from HD. It was blue and looks perfect. One coat

If I want to change later, it scrapes off with a plastic scraper.

Stu

 

[GARFVolunteer]

I used different shades of blue (light and dark) and black Fusion. It really gives the impression of depth...

Scott

 

[jeffb3t]

The different shades of blues and the black can look really cool. It might take you a couple trys to get it right though.

 

[dutt7]

i painted tanks black and blue before. best looking one is the one i used both on. i sprayed the blue lightly on the first coat then put few coats of black on after. instead of that dark dark black, it gave it a dark blue look. looks nice. i recommend to practice on a small (say 10 gallon) to get the effect you like.

 

[Chrsnwk]

limo tint for car windows from an auto parts store

 

[saltykirk]

Have tried the Black foam I've seen in a thread here, it removed itself by floating off the back. Unfortunate. Black Spraypaint on the back is really nice though

 

[pecaco34]

I went to home depot and all they had was Krylon H2O? Is this the same as Krylon Fusion or should I be looking at another store? I'm decided to do a test with spray paint and roll on on a 10 gallon. Better to mess that up than my 150.

 

[DesertBandits]

black flattens out your tank, makes it look less deep front to back. blue gives the illusion of depth, more distance from front to back. go with blue.

 

[TheFlyingTang]

If you can find an ACE Hardware store then you will find Krylon paints. Works great and drys fast.

Black seems to be best as it matches black overflow boxes.

 

[dtaranath]

Krylon H2O is different than the Fusion. Walmart carries both.

I used the Krylon Fusion Gloss Black. It came out great. But I got spray dust all over the garage.

Dark Blue definitely looks nicer, but as FlyingTang said, Black matches my black overflow box.

 

[GARFVolunteer]

If you get creative, you can blend the blue and black together so you camouflage the overflow box and give the impression of depth at the same time.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[stugray]

After using latex ( ONE DOLLAR TOTAL ), I always wonder why people keep talking about Krylon spray paint?!?.

It is: FAR more expensive, hazardous to the tankmates ( if you attempt application with the tank populated ), does not come off as easily, more difficult to clean up afterwards, and far worse for the environment......

So what's wrong with the latex?

Here's a pic of mine:

Just curious.....

Stu

 

[GARFVolunteer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7219514#post7219514 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stugray
After using latex ( ONE DOLLAR TOTAL ), I always wonder why people keep talking about Krylon spray paint?!?.

Because it is designed to go on plastic and glass so it works, it does not come off, and there is no need to clean up just do a little masking. I would think the latex would be more hazardous to tank mates since is it water soluble...

 

[drunktank]

I used window tint.. easy to apply and doesnt need to dry.

 

[stugray]

"I would think the latex would be more hazardous to tank mates since is it water soluble..."

Are some of you actually talking about painting the INSIDE of the tank???

If so, that's just crazy.

I paint the outside.

Stu

 

[GARFVolunteer]

Some use Krylon to paint PVC the goes inside the tank. I personally paint the outside...