Painting new tank
- Thread starter ctkecth
- Start date
indymatt
Member
I used Patriotic Blue Krylon Fusion Paint from Walmart. It is speficially made for glass/plastic. Be prepared to paint forever, I have about 5 coats on my 55 which was an entire can and just bought another can to put another 5 coats on. Reason being is that light can shine through the paint on the back giving it a blotchy look.
jamie814
Member
Stay away from spray paint for the back of a tank it is much easier to roll on. Takes a few coats still but much more even coverage. look for a flat or satin ACRYLIC BASED paint it's the safest to use around a tank and easy to apply. Gloss paint only makes the back look more shiny and reflective which you want to avoid. I prefer black over the dark blue especially if you have a black internal overflow like I do. Using a blue paint will only make it stand out more. Here is a pic of my 4 month old 90 all glass reef ready tank. Enjoy ***) and good luck :happyfish The back will be coverd with coraline in time also.
just ignor the powerhead that has seem to fallen off the back. Closed loop going in this weekend and good by to the ugly powerheads
just ignor the powerhead that has seem to fallen off the back. Closed loop going in this weekend and good by to the ugly powerheads
hot883
Active Member
Originally Posted by ctkecth
I have a new 90 gallon on the way- I want to paint the back- what kind of paint should I use- Blue I assume would be the best color, what shade?
When I remodled my office (where my 125 gallon is) I used a blue color on the wall behind the fish tank. I then used the same paint on the back glass of the tank so you look at the tank and it blends in very well with the wall. I used a brush and 2 coats. My blue shade is "Harbor Mist".
I have a new 90 gallon on the way- I want to paint the back- what kind of paint should I use- Blue I assume would be the best color, what shade?
When I remodled my office (where my 125 gallon is) I used a blue color on the wall behind the fish tank. I then used the same paint on the back glass of the tank so you look at the tank and it blends in very well with the wall. I used a brush and 2 coats. My blue shade is "Harbor Mist".
slick
Active Member
Originally Posted by hot883
When I remodled my office (where my 125 gallon is) I used a blue color on the wall behind the fish tank. I then used the same paint on the back glass of the tank so you look at the tank and it blends in very well with the wall. I used a brush and 2 coats. My blue shade is "Harbor Mist".
Thats a really good idea. Don't think I have ever seen this before. Looks good.
When I remodled my office (where my 125 gallon is) I used a blue color on the wall behind the fish tank. I then used the same paint on the back glass of the tank so you look at the tank and it blends in very well with the wall. I used a brush and 2 coats. My blue shade is "Harbor Mist".
Thats a really good idea. Don't think I have ever seen this before. Looks good.
chipmaker
Active Member
Color is really all a personal choice. Lots of folks like Black. I have seen some a mottled black, blue and purple look and it too looked good. As for paint type use what ever is chepaest or most readily available. Regular water based latex paint is sufficient as is oil or lac. Brand or type is not important, nor is how it is applied, brush, roller spray etc, nor is flat, semi or gloss, although gloss is better if you spill saltwater on the outside at all it is easier to keep clean, but it all looks glossy from inside due to the glass.....Just beaware if the tank is acrylic, oi or lac based paints may start a premature crazing effect, and Fission / Fusion paint by Krylon is NOT recomended fo ruse on acrylic plastics.......nor is any paint really suitable for glasss overall or at least none thats sold in big box stores, as real truye glass paint is either baked on or has an etchant in the paint which is pretty well a haz mat item.......(hydroflouric acid IIRC) but fortunately most paints work just fine on glass for this purpose anyhow. My choice is usually flat or semi flat latex paint, applied by small roller.
blazehok68
Active Member
i used a marine quality epoxy based spray paint. stuck to the glass real good, just had to put it on in very thin coats. i used 3 cans for my 120. the only problem i found was after painting for a while, the sprayer got a little clogged and started "spitting" at the tank and i ended up getting a couple of drip marks, but they arent really noticeable on the inside of the tank.
chipmaker
Active Member
A lot of talk has gone on in regards to mirrowed backs of tanks. Lots of pro and lots of con opinions. Just the other day I seen some company whose name I forget, is now making tanks with the backwall mirrowed........For some reason i just do not think I would like a mirrowed back wall on a tank....
jamie814
Member
Originally Posted by chipmaker
A lot of talk has gone on in regards to mirrowed backs of tanks. Lots of pro and lots of con opinions. Just the other day I seen some company whose name I forget, is now making tanks with the backwall mirrowed........For some reason i just do not think I would like a mirrowed back wall on a tank....
It is not a good idea to put a mirror on the back. Many fish fight with their own kind and a mirror will stress them out.
A lot of talk has gone on in regards to mirrowed backs of tanks. Lots of pro and lots of con opinions. Just the other day I seen some company whose name I forget, is now making tanks with the backwall mirrowed........For some reason i just do not think I would like a mirrowed back wall on a tank....
It is not a good idea to put a mirror on the back. Many fish fight with their own kind and a mirror will stress them out.
tankslave
Member
Vinyl is same idea as Dingo and you can get it in widths of 15" 30" 48". If you tell them what you want it for unless they are just mean sign people they may give it to you. If not it should not be real expensive. Also tip for applying if you've never done it....get a spray bottle of water add drop or 2 of dish soap mist glass lightly this gives you a little leeway.
If dry once it sticks it's there, if moist you can sorta slide the wrinkles and bubble out
Comes in lots of colors too. If you choose this they would probably show you how to appy.
If you are picking up locally you could just swing by on way home with tank and have them apply. Only takes about 5 minutes if you do it a lot and they won't leave wrinkles or bubbles
If dry once it sticks it's there, if moist you can sorta slide the wrinkles and bubble out
Comes in lots of colors too. If you choose this they would probably show you how to appy.
If you are picking up locally you could just swing by on way home with tank and have them apply. Only takes about 5 minutes if you do it a lot and they won't leave wrinkles or bubbles
albertbill21
New Member
Nice Discussion to all of you. It's really informative for us. Please doing work done and keep sharing to all of us.
God bless you. Keep it up. Stay home stay safe.
God bless you. Keep it up. Stay home stay safe.
Keep calm and reef on! 
I personally like good ole roll on rustoleum. Works great, scratch resistant as well.