paint the background?

sterlinggirl

I would like to paint my tank black like ive seen here on this forum.. tryed finding the answer but came up empty. first question.. what type of paint do i use? and second.. do i remove all the fish and water when i do this? thanks for your help.. this is my project for this weekend..

JImi

You paint the outside of the tank so you wouldnt need to empty the tank. As far as paint goes, I guess whatever paint sticks to glass and make sure its Matt.

I could be completely wrong about all this though so check online as well lol

Jimi

Geomancer

Yes, you need to empty the tank, and in addition completely mask off the top.

Typically people use spray paint, make sure the glass is 100% clean and dry before painting. Do quick, even passes, and make sure to keep your distance so the paint does not run. A lot of people tend to get too close with spray paint. Wait for a layer to dry before doing a second (and third if required). Once dried, be careful when moving it. The paint will scratch off glass very easily (your finger nail is enough).

This is really best done before you even add fish. You can get the same effect by just taping black poster board onto the back, and save your fish the trouble ;) Disturbing the substrate can cause a mini-cycle so be on the lookout.

Inga

sterlinggirl

Well i chickend out on the paint job, but.. i did find a local pet store here that has some amazing salt water fish,, ( now i think i need one of these too ) a background that is self adhesive.. did not know there was such a thing,, it was very easy to apply and looks great, just the look i was hoping for and i belive my fish are more comfortable too, since i have applyed this they are all over the tank and not hiding , i get to see all my lil beautys, including the albino BN pleco comes out durring the day now to feed on the glass and rocks.. Thanks for all the help folks:)

GwenInNM

I just painted the back of one of my tanks. My husband mixed acrylic paint, that he has for painting pictures, which he does occassionally. I'm very happy with the color. It's such a dark blue, it looks close to black, but I like the hint of blue in the color. We just used a brush, and painted the back, with the fish in the tank. At first I freaked a bit, seeing the lines of the brush, but interestingly, from the front, looking into the tank, you don't see that at all. I plan on doing the same to my other tank someday. I do not like the backgrounds that stick on, because you always see bubbles, and I can never cut mine perfectly to fit

Gwen

sterlinggirl

happy that your tank turned out so well, i guess i just got lucky with my stick on backing, by using windex like the guy at the store told me about and applying it just like wall paper it turned out awome, no lines no bubbles, just clear black, the neat thing is you can pull that off if you start to smooth and dont like how its goin on so much easier with the windex.. i was to afraid i was goin to get somthing in my tank and kill my fish , so happy i found this stuff.. glad your tank turned out well for you!!