Michael73 Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 I posted this question on Reefcentral and got very little feedback so I'm hoping for a little better response from the people in my own backyard. What are people using for their tank backgrounds and how are they attaching them. Also, who prefers blue over black or black over blue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooked Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 Hey Micheal, You must be making some progress. I painted mine, but it's glass--did you buy an acrylic tank? I think darker is probably better--mine's dark blue. Katrina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gobygoby Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 I painted mine as well. I used blue paint from wal-mart. Kyle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwalcott Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 I painted mine also. It's a medium blue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottw Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 spent the extra money and have a black acrylic background! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolfan0925 Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 I painted mine black. Flat black wall paint. I asked a while back on RC and I don't think I got the same answer twice. I like it painted if for no other reason than when a little water gets over the back of the tank it doesn't screw up the background. Some people will say that you'll see brush strokes if you paint it on with a brush, but it is hardly noticable. And if you have enuf stuff in your tank they won't be lookin at your background anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooked Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 Hi Tony I did mine with a brush--no visible brush marks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revance Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 I painted my last tank and have been happy with it. If you are opposed to painting, another option is to buy the background paper from a pet store (assuming they have the right size). A good way to attach it is to cover the back of your tank with a thin layer of petrolium jelly, place the background against the back (it should stick to the jelly), then use a credit card (or similar object) to squeeze the petrolium jelly out the sides. Do that until there are no more bubbles visible from the front. This provides a nice waterproof way to attach it to the back of your aquarium, have it look really nice, and not permanent. Spraypaint is easier though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolfan0925 Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 if you're lookin into the tank you can't tell at all, you can only tell when you look behind the tank, and that doesn't matter anyway. Here's my link on rc and a few others. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthre...threadid=412496 http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/search.p...rder=descending Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooked Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 If you use "paper" on a glass tank, it should slide under the frame enough to secure it at the top and bottom, then you can use tape (I used electric tape on my 46 gal) to seal it. Then I used the clear plastic cornerguard that is used on the walls in a house to seal the edges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael73 Posted December 8, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 Not to divert this thread, but yes, I'm slowly making progress on the 150gal reef Last week I picked up the 150gal RR perfecto tank and it now sits in my basement (next to the 125 which I REALLY want to get rid of!). Basically, I've spent my time doing some wood working to reinforce the pine stand I have. I also increased the stand's overall height to make sure it was easier to get my skimmer in or out in case of emergencies (I wound up getting a EuroReef 8-2). Second, I wanted to make viewing the tank easier. This week I went to see Jeremy at PA and picked up my Sequence Dart return pump, bulkheads and modular pvc. I've made numerous trip to Lowes and now have all the stuff to plumb 2 Durso standpipes for my drains and 2 returns through the dual corner overflows. I'm getting ready to work on building my sump so I need to make a trip down to Meyer Plastics to get the baffles and up to Lafayette Glass and Mirror to have the bulkhead drilled for the Sequence pump. At first when I heard about people taking months and month to get these things set up I thought they were nuts. Looks like I'm joining the nutty crowd! :> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooked Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 Hey, it's your thread--you can take it anywhere you want Sounds like you're going to have a busy weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gobygoby Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 months and months....I wish, try years and years..literally! Goby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael73 Posted December 8, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 gobygoby - Well, at least the benefit of spreading out the setup time over months or years is that it doesn't hit your bank account all at the same time reeftechie - I'm not sure I understand but the tank is glass, already made and in my basement. If you're talking about going to Meyer plastics and having a piece of black or blue acrylic cut to size, I called them yesterday and based on my approximate measurements, it'll cost about $40. I'm seriously leaning towards this over painting even though painting with Krylon seems to be the most popular method. I saw a thread on Reef Central and there's a guy somewhere here in the Indy area with 2, 210gal in-wall tanks and he's using some kind of fabric to cover the back of his tanks. I don't know how he attached it or what kind of fabric he's using. Maybe one of you know who I'm talking about and has seen the set up enough to know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottw Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 gobygoby - Well, at least the benefit of spreading out the setup time over months or years is that it doesn't hit your bank account all at the same time reeftechie - I'm not sure I understand but the tank is glass, already made and in my basement. If you're talking about going to Meyer plastics and having a piece of black or blue acrylic cut to size, I called them yesterday and based on my approximate measurements, it'll cost about $40. I'm seriously leaning towards this over painting even though painting with Krylon seems to be the most popular method. I saw a thread on Reef Central and there's a guy somewhere here in the Indy area with 2, 210gal in-wall tanks and he's using some kind of fabric to cover the back of his tanks. I don't know how he attached it or what kind of fabric he's using. Maybe one of you know who I'm talking about and has seen the set up enough to know... You got it bro well worth the $40 bro.. You can use a little bit of 100% silicone to hold it on, if you go to sell it bam, no paint to take off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DensityMan Posted December 8, 2004 Report Share Posted December 8, 2004 I used purple coralline on the inside... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sumphead Posted December 9, 2004 Report Share Posted December 9, 2004 While the acrylic is a good idea, forget the krylon and use a simple latex paint with sponge roller. It works and covers very well (I did this with a 72 Bow). The latex peals off very easily almost in entire sheets. So even if you use the silcone, you still have to break out the razor to clean it off. I used a midnight blue paint and the total was under $5 even with the roller. With paint you are limitless and could even do some fun colors and designs. note: This is probably the only time I will ever recommend anything over acrylic. :0) R- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael73 Posted December 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2004 After reading tons of threads on ReefCentral here's an idea - granted it's not the cheapest since it involves acrylic... Since I have a glass tank, get a piece of black acrylic and have it cut so it exactly fits between the bottom and plastic molding on the back of the tank. Using electrical tape, tape the top and bottom seams of the acrylic to the plastic molding so no water can get between them. For the left and right back corners, use clear plastic self-adhesive corner molding - the type you'd put on an outside corner wall to protect it from damage. Comments? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolfan0925 Posted December 9, 2004 Report Share Posted December 9, 2004 your perogative . I like mine painted better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gobygoby Posted December 9, 2004 Report Share Posted December 9, 2004 I dont think the acrylic idea is very practical. Problems.... #1 - latex paint ~$3.00 vs. Acrylic Sheet ~$40.00 #2 - You still have the same probelm as with a aquarium background, water can get between th e sheet and the tank and leave water spots. #3 - scraping the paint off......why would you want to do this?? my .02 Kyle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwalcott Posted December 9, 2004 Report Share Posted December 9, 2004 I agree with Kyle. That's 30+ dollars to spent on a coral. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggarner Posted December 21, 2004 Report Share Posted December 21, 2004 i used a flat black spray paint. My tank had already been drilled for overflows etc. All i did was tape off the inside and the holes and then clean it with rubbing alcohol. Spray the paint on... wait for 30 min put on a 2nd coat... 30min a 3rd coat, 30 min a 4th coat. Bam.. let it sit for a few hours and its done. No brush marks, if water gets on the outside it doesnt show. And bulkheads seal to it perfectly.. doesnt mess up the pain or anything. I have done this on a 75 and a 30g and worked perfect both times. Personally I prefer black to blue, as i have 2 tanks with black and my acrylic tank has blue, and the black looks much better i think. I think its just fater and easier than latex. If you want it off get a razor blade/aglae scraper and it comes of very fast too. Garrett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emurray Posted December 21, 2004 Report Share Posted December 21, 2004 I also agree with going with the paint. Buying a piece of acrylic to tape to the back of a glass tank seems redundant. Also, I recommend black as the color, as it helps to camoflauge the equipment that is sticking out, or hanging over the back of the tank. In addition, color theory tells us that bright, flourescent colors will "pop" more if set against a contrasting, black background. -eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt Posted December 22, 2004 Report Share Posted December 22, 2004 black rocks so much I am half considering going black starboard on my next tank... other than the reflection issue that does not exist wiht black.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael73 Posted December 22, 2004 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2004 Ok, cost considerations and logic has prevailed...I'll be buying latex paint and a roller and using the money on other tank related stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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