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Easy ,clean looking background for aquariums.

3K views 9 replies 4 participants last post by  Tyyrlym 
#1 ·
Recently set up 56 gal column tank and found a textured spray paint (rustoleum) at walmart that looks just like sand and comes in two or three different colors. I selected a grey sand color with black flecks throughout for the background on this tank. It goes nicely with the black trim on the tank and black stand. Also selected black gravel. The paint drys in about fifteen minutes and takes approx three coats to cover evenly. Am quite pleased with the look and thought I would share. PS Have no idea how difficult it would be to remove ,but I ain't plannin on changing it anytime soon.
 
#3 ·
I love it too. Wish I would have thought about making last coat flat black as well. They had a dark chocalate color,a regular neutral sand color,and the grey with black fleck that I selected. Am seriously considering draining the 80 gal Electric blue Dempsey tank and using the dark chocolate color on that tank which has sand substrate with flagstone and driftwood with large river stones. Believe it would help create the Amazon look I am attempting in that tank.
On a related note,, The Dempsey is thriving and growing much more rapidly than those who keep them suggest is common. I attribute this to water changes every four days and a wide variety of foods. All is well.8)
 
#4 ·
My own RTBS is getting big but also a little chubby. Her and the cories get shrimp pellets and algae wafers pretty regular along with what drifts down from up top and some brine shrimp on occasion.

I didn't put the black on as just a good idea, I ran out of the flecked spray paint and had to use what I had on hand. Without a back light behind the paint it looked fine but with one I could see thin spots. Since I was just trying to seal up the paint and not leave thin spots the black seemed like a good idea.
 
#8 ·
Thanks for the responses.

This is what it looks like in my tank. Fantastic background. I used two coats with a final coat of flat black.
One more question: Did you paint the back and side walls, leaving only the front one open? Like I said it looks fantastic, but was there a reason? I would think you wouldn't be able to get a good look around your decor if that was the case.
 
#5 ·
I would've never thought to spray paint my tank, but yours looks really good. I'm jealous. Newbie question: you aren't spraying the inside of the tank, right? Just the outside panels?

Is the spray paint thing a better idea than those pay-by-the-foot backgrounds you roll out? I just bought a 20 gallon Aqueon deluxe beginner's kit and I'm looking for ideas.
 
#7 ·
As Aunt Kymmie said, paint the outside back glass. I taped off the sides with news paper and masking tape along with the trim top and bottom so that the paint adhered to only the back glass and not the trim around the top and bottom or sides.
 
#10 ·
As for painting vs. the stickons, paint it. It looks so so much better than any stick on background. Much like sand I don't anticipate ever going away from painting the backsides of my aquariums.
 
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