Painted Background on a 150 gallon planted?-UPDATED WITH PICS

[DogFish]

Originally Posted by Evilgrin

I used about 1/2 of a 4 oz bottle to do my 55 with 2 coats of paint so 1 4oz bottle would be enough to get at least 2 coats on a 150....

I couldn't imaging you could get that coverage with 2oz of paint. Of course I've never measured out paint, so 2 oz. must be more than I realize?

[dastowers]

The planted 150 gallon is in my office and it is about a foot away from the wall so being skinny I can fit in there. LOL! I have seen some wonderful deep blue painted backgrounds. Have black already on the 120 reef tank (came painted). Would the water based latex craft paint run if water splashed on the outside of the tank? Poster board appeals to me also.

Is there a trend you can see? When I first started out 30 years ago we HAD to have the tin foil type background.. OMG!

[lochaber]

I've always just used spray paint, not real picky, whatever I could get. clean the glass well, and give it a few light 'dustings', and then a couple thicker coats.

It probably isn't as scratch resistant as some specialty paint, but it's cheap, easy, and once the tank is against the wall, there isn't much to scratch it.

For that situation, DogFish's suggestion of latex would probably work pretty well. It won't be easy, but if you have a bit of time and can work from both ends of the tank, you should be able to do it.

I'm not sure brush marks are a concern for a tank with it's back to the wall - brush marks only really show on the outside surface of the paint, and the inside surface will conform to whatever it's painted on (the glass). Maybe with light showing throw on a lighter colored coating?

[DogFish]

Maybe "brush marks" wasn't the best way to describe it. If you have incomplete coverage in an area the light will show through in spots that are the thinnest.

I solved that by alternating horizontal and vertical coats. Latex is nice as clean up is with water. Also less worry about taping as there is no over spay to contend with. Latex will come off very easily from scratches but not from a little splashed/dripped water.

[Evilgrin]

Originally Posted by dastowers

The planted 150 gallon is in my office and it is about a foot away from the wall so being skinny I can fit in there. LOL! I have seen some wonderful deep blue painted backgrounds. Have black already on the 120 reef tank (came painted). Would the water based latex craft paint run if water splashed on the outside of the tank? Poster board appeals to me also.

Is there a trend you can see? When I first started out 30 years ago we HAD to have the tin foil type background.. OMG!

if it's a constant drip it will thin that area of paint enough that it will start to loose adhesion against the glass and start to lift off, but the occasional drip will not affect the paint at all.

[Evilgrin]

Originally Posted by DogFish

I couldn't imaging you could get that coverage with 2oz of paint. Of course I've never measured out paint, so 2 oz. must be more than I realize?

I use this stuff to airbrush with you can get a lot of coverage even with a mini foam roller just have to thin out the paint a bit as it's fairly thick out of the bottle if you thin it out to say a pepto bismol consistency you effectively almost double the amount of paint you have in the bottle. Adhesion to glass is very good as well as plastic and wood. It has the added benefit of being non-toxic as well clean up is just warm water and a lil dish soap if needed.

[dastowers]

I am torn between a deep blue, soft light blue or black. My returns are black so they would blend in. Any thoughts? What does Amano (?)?do with his backgrounds?

[dastowers]

I am torn between a deep blue, soft light blue or black. My returns are black so they would blend in. Any thoughts? What does Amano (?)?do with his backgrounds?

[Msheresy]

Originally Posted by MikeS

I just the normal black aquarium background from pet store. Put scotch tap in a couple spots to hold it. Not the best, but works and cheap. I plan on having most of it covered by plants anyways.

I do the same thing. My Lfs has a large roll and they sell it by the foot. I have to trim it up when I get home but I find it to be easiest.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[dastowers]

I browsed a few more images of black backgrounds and pulled the trigger. Used the latex paint left over from the stand paint job. The black hides the canister inputs and outputs as they are black. The plants POP! And the black in the Angels stands out. The Philippine Blue angels are stunning with the black. Looks very natural. Will upload a pic once the second coat goes on. :-)

[Evilgrin]

Can't wait to see some pics.

[dastowers]

When the glare from the windows in my office goes away I will post them. :-)

[golfer_d]

Look forward to seeing the result.

I am in need of something as well for my 10 gallon. It is all set up but is on my work bench so I can easily access the back glass area. Was thinking of painting that portion black.

[dastowers]

Here they are as promised. NOTE: that is the SAME light! Same time of day, same iPhone camera settings. The difference in light rebound is amazing to me.

[golfer_d]

Looks good.

Did you just use a standard black latex paint?