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Painting The Dorsum Of Aquarium?
I'm going to be painting the backside of my new tank blackness and was wondering what kind of finish to use. I effigy I'll employ a blackness latex pigment merely not sure what cease (i.e. apartment, gloss, or whatever) I should use.
If anyone has whatsoever idea what result the different kinds would accept I would love to know, like does a high gloss cease reflect too much low-cal or does the flat merely look bad. Thanks.
Dave
May I suggest getting a black background, the paint is then much harder to remove than a background. My tank came with a painted black background and I really dislike it because I tin can't come across any night fish and if I want to remove it I would take to pull out a razor and cut information technology
Off
I've painted many tanks black & you will find that the paint finish volition accept very little impact on the visual event. Considering it is on the outside of the glass, y'all will discover that the within of the rear glass is what will give off reflections. I have used high gloss, satin & apartment black paint on several tanks & they all look identical. My advice would be simply to use whatsoever is going to be cheapest for you. Personally I merely use $3 spray cans in whatever stop I happen to grab. Brand sure if you utilize spray cans that y'all seal up the top of the tank actually well to preclude whatsoever paint getting inside. I use plastic painters drib sheets sealed upward with masking tape & then duct tape to stop paint getting inside or onto the sides where I don't desire it.
Something that people have been suggesting recently is using wrapping paper - you lot tin record it to the outside of the tank, it'southward VERY piece of cake, temporary, inexpensive, and you can alter it every bit often every bit you want.
I know that at places like Walmart, you can get solid colored papers, I assume they have black.
Gouramiguy - The pigment will come off very easily if you empty the tank, place it on information technology's front end glass on a blanket or piece of polystyrene. Very advisedly apply pigment stripper to the area you want the paint removed from. Leave half an inch or so all the fashion around the edge of the paint so that the stripper does not come in contact with whatever of the silicone or get inside the tank. After 15 mins you will be able to become it all off with a paint scrapper no problems. Any left over pigment can exist removed with a scourer. Pigment stripper residue can be done off with manifestly water once the tank is back in the upright position. Done it plenty of times & yet have the tanks I've done it to in use. Just exist carefull not to get the stripper on the silicone or in the tank when you are scrapping it off. The stripper volition damage the silicone & the paint residual volition remain inside the tank. The stripper itself will wash completly away with only h2o leaving no residue backside at all. If your wary of, or not confident using pigment stripper, you can use rags soaked in mineral turpentine to aid remove the paint. Simply let the soaked rag sit for a few minutes on the painted surface area & and so scrape of the paint as the turps soaks into it.
If you don't want to actually paint the back of a tank I would advise using contact to stick to the back to achieve the desired effect. Contact is the sticky stuff that comes in rolls like wrapping newspaper & is used to encompass kids school books. Piece of cake to utilise, no air bubbles between the groundwork & the glass when properly applied, easy to remove & easy to cut to shape so that you can combine colors to achive different effects.
Paint is very easy to remove. Just takes a razor blade. I'll never use a paper background once more straight on the back of the tank. I e'er paint.
I utilise plainly Krylon paint from Wal-Mart, the indoor/outdoor stuff.
Thanks for all the input, exactly what I wanted to know. I don't like the paper backgrounds considering eventually you will get water in between it and the glass and I hate how it looks, and I hate going through the trouble of changing it. I plan on using a paint roller to whorl it on, merely I'1000 glad the sheen volition accept no effect. Kinda figured it wouldnt but didn't wanna find out the hard way I made the incorrect guess.
Cheers again everyone,
Dave
Howdy Dave
I didn't like the expect of the groundwork on the back of the drinking glass was never clear always tedious until I tried Sea View the stuff really works every bit long equally the groundwork doesn't have whatever creases or folds. With this stuff my rock background looks existent. Check out the video on the site.
Floyd
Thanks for the info hop2jr, but I just finished putting the third coat of paint on my tank. I'chiliad hoping to order my powerheads for the UGJ's and and so I can finally get the tank set-upwardly and aquascaped. Almost there
Dave
UGJ's? Do y'all mean UGF'south? If you lot exercise mean nether gravel filters I feel I should warn yous that they are a bad idea in planted aquariums. The roots will block them up & if you lot run the reverse flow method the plants won't like information technology also much.
Brand sure you mail service some pics of the build so that we tin can all run into your progress & the terminate result.
UGJ, under gravel jets. I can link the build if you lot desire to see it, simply it's basically a powerhead plumbed through some PVC pipe and it comes out in jets to keep the junk off the substrate and keep the water moving. Pretty basic build but information technology seems to have some powerful results.
Dave
I pulled the wrappings off my tank and stood it up and judge what I found, a bunch of trivial pinholes I could see through fifty-fifty after three coats. And so at that place I was putting a fourth coat on. What a mess. I guess information technology could be worse.
Dave
My sincere apologies. I should have realised to tell you that you need to wash the surface to exist painted with soapy water & and then wipe it downwards really well with methylated spirits to remove any residues that may exist on the outside rear drinking glass.
Sometimes I forget that near people don't know as much about painting equally I practice. Over again, my sincere apologies.
I've used the fine finish foam hotdog rollers to paint a bunch of mine with a variety of latex paints all with decent results. Cleaning is definitely the most of import part. Usually 2-3 coats of blue or black are acceptable depending on what'south behind the tank.
Tried the wrapping paper...and of course information technology all ended upwardly getting moisture. Not every bit cheap equally paint but easier to live with and remove is vinyl, the kind you see used for shop graphics and window designs. Near sign shops can print digitized photographs onto the vinyl, non cheap just unlimited artistic options, and you tin apply to the back of your tank, or you can just purchase a small coil of it in a solid color and cutting your ain. You can practice the same thing with the vinyl cling-on material. For smaller tanks foam presentation board is fast and easy but information technology still has a paper face and doesn't accept getting wet too well.
Thanks, I've had the tank I started this thread for painted for ii months and it'south gorgeous. I'grand really waiting for the quaternary coat of my new tank to dry before I apply the final 5th coat. I like the paint to be really thick, I call up it holds up better to scratching.
Dave
To tell ya the truth, the thicker yous put it on the easier it is to scrape / peel off if you want to change it subsequently.
I utilize the big sheets of affiche boards on the back of my tanks if I want to change the color. I just slide it up and tip the filters a tiny bit to fit the sheet nether information technology and that will help to concur information technology in place. Then I just use a little piece of clear tape to hold the sides. With the affiche boards the changing colors is very easy to do.
I'm actually wondering the aforementioned matter this thread mentioned, and although most of the questions were answered, I had another question. I'm also going to apologize in advance to the TC for a mini-hijacking of his threat, only I figured it'd be best to post here rather than start a whole new threat.
I was merely wondering if anyone had any input equally to whether or non it'southward ameliorate to spray the paint on, or to use a roller? Thanks for whatsoever replies.
I prefer to spray but make sure the tank is actually well sealed up & masked off earlier you do. I use plastic painters drop sheets fastened with masking tape & then double sealed with duct record. Well-nigh spray paints incorporate stuff that is highly toxic to fish and so any overspray in the tank is really actually bad news. Use a roller or castor if your not confident that you can seal the inside of tank off 100%.
I adopt a medium blue background. Black creates reflection problems if you want to photograph or video your fish. I apply spray pigment and vary the coverage, information technology makes a very squeamish visual affect. the thicker areas of paint announced darker than the thin areas of pigment. The bright blue color as well makes your tank appear brighter. I accept both black and blue tanks and anybody prefers the blue.
Hither is a link to painting your tank
Black creates reflection problems if you lot desire to photograph or video your fish.QUOTE]
Never had any reflection problems cause by any color. I'm very surprised that you experience whatever difference at all.
Another thing that I'm experimenting with is really applying a thin layer of clear varnish to the back of the tank & while it is nonetheless moisture, covering it with brown sand. Several coats similar that & the theory is I will have a background that resembles a natural sand bank. So far I've simply done two coats of varnish & sand. One time I've finished the project I'll post pics so you can all run into how it turns out. (might take a couple of weeks. pretty busy lately)
That sounds really cool Nutter, I hope it turns out how you expect. I sympathize being busy, especially with all the projects you lot're working on
Dave
Black creates reflection bug if y'all want to photograph or video your fish.QUOTE]
Never had any reflection bug cause by any colour. I'grand very surprised that you experience any deviation at all.
Some other thing that I'm experimenting with is really applying a thin layer of clear varnish to the back of the tank & while it is still wet, roofing it with chocolate-brown sand. Several coats like that & the theory is I will have a background that resembles a natural sand bank. So far I've only done two coats of varnish & sand. Once I've finished the project I'll mail service pics and then you can all see how it turns out. (might accept a couple of weeks. pretty busy lately)
Now the sand thought sounds really swell!
Sand Idea sounds AWSOME! let us know how it goes! Pics soon!?
Still havn't put a tertiary coat on information technology yet. I'm suffering from a chronic case of over worked at the moment trying to get the new shop on it'due south anxiety. If I'm not at piece of work I'k spending fourth dimension with the kids or doing water changes.
Maybe I shouldn't exist so lazy aobut getting it finished. It is only a 5gal tank that I'm trying information technology on. I'll see if I tin get information technology finished this week one-time. I'll create a thread for it when I do get it finished.
I was thinking about painting my glass aquarium a background. Was thinking black and or blue. What type, brand pigment tin I utilize?
As long as you aren't using the paint Inside the tank whatever sort of enamel paint should work. You lot can notice several varieties at whatsoever arts and crafts store such as Michael's. Merely make sure that it isn't a type of pigment that needs to be oven cured
I used a tin can of Krylon spray paint on a 5' tank with great coverage. Just mask off with tape and newspaper, a quick degreasing with rubbing alcohol and shoot it.
Personally I went the super cheap road dollar store acrylic pigment and sponge roller.
ane trivial canteen did my 20 long and my 10
I prefer acrylic for the simple reason that if I get bored with it, it comes off hands with a razor blade. Effortlessly. Y'all just scrape the exterior back and information technology comes off in sheets.
I prefer black, or blues with majestic that are extremely dark. Blue will pick upwards and throw back light a flake better, but black makes the fish look better and is bully for photos.
Information technology takes 2 or 3 coats for a matte look, You lot can besides accept fun with it. I take a turtle tank my kids painted fifteen years ago, and it is all the same fun to look at.
So afterwards information technology is dry, how long do I wait to utilise the tank again? Exercise I have to expect for the olfactory property to go away etc? Is one coat enough?
That going to depend on the pigment. What I used was ready after 24hrs.
I volition probably apply stronger paints once I decide what I similar the best, but for now I just use apple barrel paints. I think the well-nigh of import matter if you go this route is to get yourself a foam roller. Wally Earth had one that worked swell for $ane.97. You tin can also get them from home depot for a bit more. It will scratch in time but it looks fine and as long as yous don't get putting it into the tank you'll do not bad. It is easy to scrape off if y'all paint in the wrong place, or become yourself a role of painter's tape and tape over the edges and the trim.
Good luck!
The acrylic paint dries afterward 20 mins requite or take. I painted with all the equipment and fish in.
I too have painted tanks while they were in use. You are painting the outside, and acrylic is not strong smelling. 2 or three coats though.
The acrylic paint dries after 20 mins give or take. I painted with all the equipment and fish in.
I didn't have a option with a v' tank, it had to be washed prior to install.
Imo I would stick with water based paints similar acrylic just for the scent gene
I didn't accept a selection with a 5' tank, it had to be done prior to install.
I was just giving my 2 cents worth
Thanks guys, I will give acrylic paint a try, once I get some.
Today I took out some painted 1 gallon aquariums that used to firm bettas. I had painted them with apple barrel paints. A quick soak in warm water and the paint came right off.
acrylic pigment and a cream roller for polish surfaces and yous should get swell results. May take a couple coats though then be patient and let each coat dry before applying the adjacent. Also, with each coat attempt to go on going in the same direction don't become up and downwards so side to side on the aforementioned coat. For example to side to side let it dry and then on the side by side coat if y'all want to get upwardly and down that's fine. Going the aforementioned direction with each individual coat will give a overnice uniform seamless look.
Okay so I yesterday I painted 2 of my aquariums with Majestic Blue acrylic paint and cream roller.
acrylic paint and a foam roller for smooth surfaces and you lot should go great results. May accept a couple coats though and then be patient and let each coat dry before applying the next. Also, with each coat try to keep going in the same management don't go up and down and so side to side on the same coat. For example to side to side let it dry and then on the side by side glaze if you want to go up and down that's fine. Going the aforementioned direction with each individual glaze will requite a prissy compatible seamless look.
Yeah, at first I'd screwed upwardly, considering I didn't let the showtime coat dry beginning. Ended up using more paint then needed. After the beginning aquarium finish painted, the 2nd 1 came easier. Did 3 coats and let each coat dry for most 45 minutes. I hated how sometimes the roller doesn't want to ringlet.
Today I went to Walmart and got some matte black acrylic pigment. Going to do 2 more tanks. Walmart carries acrylic paint, but they weren't at the pigment department. They were in between the pets supplies and electronic section. It is a lot cheaper than where I got the first ones at Mernards.
Aye, at beginning I'd screwed up, because I didn't let the first glaze dry start. Concluded upwards using more paint then needed. After the first aquarium terminate painted, the 2nd one came easier. Did 3 coats and let each coat dry for nigh 45 minutes. I hated how sometimes the roller doesn't want to roll.
Today I went to Walmart and got some matte black acrylic paint. Going to exercise two more tanks. Walmart carries acrylic paint, but they weren't at the paint section. They were in between the pets supplies and electronic section. It is a lot cheaper than where I got the first ones at Mernards.
Looks skillful. I plant the cheap roller I grabbed from the dollar store didn't want to either merely hey I'thou no Picasso lol
Can I use spray pigment to paint the back of my tank? If the fumes got in the tank, would that be bad? even with the tank being completely empty?
Aye, but effort to tape on height of the rims and partially down onto the side pane of drinking glass too, that will greatly reduce the chance of getting any paint onto the other parts of the tank.
I paint my tanks exterior to foreclose polluting the air within the house, and and then let them to fully dry before bringing them back within.
It would be unlikely that yous'll get the paint within the tank, mine never had that issue, simply you could always plow the tank open up end facing down and paint the dorsum that way.
I use black "Cream Lath" taped to the dorsum of my tank. It's waterproof & inexpensive. Y'all can get information technology at Hobby Anteroom. Probably a niggling easier than painting.
I agree with A201, information technology may be easier to get blackness paper or poster lath to use instead. The issue with spray paint is that it'south extremely tricky to ensure you have a smooth coat without pools of paint in one expanse.
Depending on the size of the tank you can do many things. Since mine is so small I use construction paper. I have seen people utilize white backgrounds and that can expect nice as well. If it is really big and then I would get a black poster board and record it to the dorsum. If you want to paint it you can. The all-time way would be to curlicue it on or use a brush.
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