Painting Tank.

[swampymc8]

Hi all

Just quick question. What is the best type of paint to use. Am wanting to paint back of tank black.
Or any other methods

Thanks

 

[Mark Z.]

I would imagine as long as it is on the outside of the tank, it wouldn't matter what type of paint you use.

You might also think about using black paper or mat board and taping it to the back. It might give you a more uniform color and wouldn't be permanent should you want to change it.

 

[smithrc]

painting the back gives a great finish....

Blue can look good if you waters going to be clear.... I have a lot of tannins from bogwood so the blue I used looks green

The 850L was put in place in a bit of a rush, I didnt get chance to paint the back abd instead have painted a large board black and put that behind the tank... BUT water marks on the glass show up badly against the board.

If you want to be able to remove it relativly easily, use a gloss paint, then with a bit of warmth from a heat gun, you can peel it off.
oil based would be best for longevity. but water based will look just as good if you wont be getting it wet (splashes etc)

I'll be stripping the blue off of all my fish shed tanks and re-doing them black soon.

 

[coldcazzie]

I used spray paint - it gives really even coverage

 

[smithrc]

When I started I wasnt sure what to use... unded up using a brush...
after 2/3 coats the coverage looks flawless looking through the tank...
looking from the back there are loads of brush marks but your not looking at that side

as long as the glass is clean before you start, and you give it a couple of coats, rollers spray or brushes should all give a nice visible finish as its the glass that is providing the finished surface. does that make sense?

 

[swampymc8]

My tank not running yet so got time to sort it. Was thinking emulsion?
Didn't no gloss would stick to glass ( am bit thick lol)
Prefer paint

Thanks guys

Yep makes sense
Was thinking spray as well.
Cheers guys

 

[Tizer]

Still pondering a coat of black gloss on mine, im too lazy to move it now its in place though.

 

[smithrc]

Still pondering a coat of black gloss on mine, im too lazy to move it now its in place though.

its a whole lot of effort.... took 4 of us just to lift our tank into place... its not moving again

I did think about using a radiator roller... but having just wallpapered the wall behind it - i didnt want to risk getting it on the walls. Board it is.

 

[swampymc8]

Mine in my garage so got plenty time to do it before putting it in place. Just making sure no leaks ( just got it)

 

[Tizer]

Still pondering a coat of black gloss on mine, im too lazy to move it now its in place though.

its a whole lot of effort.... took 4 of us just to lift our tank into place... its not moving again

I did think about using a radiator roller... but having just wallpapered the wall behind it - i didnt want to risk getting it on the walls. Board it is.

I take it yours was the 6 foot version of my 5 foot then? I was able to move mine around with the father in law, it wasnt too heavy really.

 

[swampymc8]

Wish it was 6ft.
Only a juwel Rio 180

 

[CezzaXV]

Plain black backgrounds are cheap and easy to find, if you didn't want to permanently alter your tank.

 

[CrazyAirborne]

Black spray paint works great even the cheap can.