Should I try painting my aquarium background?

A

asincero

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Jan 16, 2006
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I just tried applying a self adhesive aquarium background to my 72" long 150 gallon tank and have failed miserably. The thing was simply too long to do single handedly. It would've been a lot easier if the tank was lying on it's side, but it's already mounted on the stand and I'm not about to ask a buddy to help me take the tank back down and then back up again. It was bad enough the first time.

So I'm about to order another one from Foster and Smith when it dawned on me that simply painting the background might be a hell of a lot easier. Nothing fancy; just a solid shade of blue. Should I just do this instead? And will I be easily be able to get the paint off should it not work out? Probably use some paint remover or something? Would paint remover somehow damage the glass?

Maybe I should practice first on a cheapie joe 10 gallon tank so I don't ruin my brand new $700 150 gallon. Some input would be appreciated...
 
I paint the backs of all of my new tanks with orchard supply hardware's flat black spray paint. I don't know how hard it would be to get it off, but I have scratched it off accidentally before so it shouldn't be too hard.
 
Asi, first let me express my extreme jealos...er I mean happiness at your acquisition of such a huge and glorious tank. :)

I vote "no" on the paint, simply because it is sort of irrevocable should you change your mind or want a change at a later date. I assume the tank is going to be up against a wall of some sort (or else there would be no "back" to apply a background to.) How are you going to get at it to remove paint once it's in place and filled?

Then there's the matter of getting the paint off once you get to it...scraping? (ouch, said the glass.) Paint remover? (ew, ick, fumes, said the fish). Major PitA.

Maybe a paper background but not-self-adhesive? Just paper. You tape it in place at one corner then slowly unroll it down the tank, adding tape every foot or so? Then once it's in place and straight and everything you go back and run a solid strip of tape down the length once you don't need six other arms to hold it in place as you go.

Try a Hobby Lobby sort of place for a piece of paper in the color desired. They might even have plastic sheets, I dunno. Fallback is paperboard, of the sort used for framing pictures; I know that comes in 4x8 sheets in multiple colors as I used to buy it. Something translucent or opalescent could be very striking, yet easy to change out if need be.

Just a thought. :)
 
I have painted a lot of tanks. I have used spray paint,brushes,and rollers. I have use acrylic,laytex,oil,and enamel paint.

Rolling is the easiest.And since the tank is already on the stand,probably your best bet.

Buy some sponge rollers,the fuzzy kind will get the fuzzies stuck on the tank.It doesn't hurt,but sponges work better IMO.

Tape the sides of the tank,the top and bottom trim,and go to town. Turn the tank light on so you know when you have enough coats,and PRESTO! A pefect background that will never have water get between it and the tank.

Here is a pic of my painted 180 gallon.

IMG_0726.JPG
 
There is no try... there is only do or do not. And yes. =)
 
when i find some neon pink paint im going to paint one of my tanks so it matches the gravel :)
 
HI, I PAINT WITH ACRYLIC PAINT WHICH YOU CAN REMOVE BY WETTING IT AND IT SCRAPES OFF VERY EASY, I PAINT SCENES ON THE BACK GLASS AND USE A SOLID COLOR ON THE BOTTOM GLASS.. SMALL TUBES ARE CHEAP AND GP A LONG WAY...YOU CAN PICK THEM UP AT A GRAFT STORE...
 
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