Color other than blue or black for back glass?

[longgonedaddy]

Originally Posted by Wayne Dwops

I am probably going to do a dark purple background for my 20g long. I am a huge fan of dark purple with green and I *think* it will look good in a fish tank. I'll let you know

That was actually the color I was thinking of when I posted this. Let me know how it turns out for you


Thanks to everyone for the links, pics and input!

[bluestems]

Wow!! I love the watermelon background with the oranges and blues! It even highlights the wood nicely. Wouldn't have ever thought that would look good, but it looks great!

Thanks for posting this link

[Mahlady]

I have decided to go with this watermelon color on my latest cichlid tank, wondering what kind to get, latex semigloss, gloss, satin or flat?

[Tenor1]

Benjamin Moore has a color called Amazon Soil that I really liked and I'm going to paint my new tank using something close to it. The shop recommended a water-based paint, which the Amazon Soil is NOT. But there is a water-based color that is VERY close to it. What is even better is you can buy a sample bottle, which should be more than enough to paint your tank. The color I chose is "Bonne Nuit AF-635.

This color is somewhat close to the purple color tank further up in this thread, but not quite as bright. I suggest going to a paint company site and check the color chart (it doesn't have to be Benjamin Moore). Take the names of the ones you are interested in and get the paint-sample cards. I got 6 cards and put them under the tank light. It's surprising how different the cards look using tank lighting. The sample bottle is only $4.00. Remember that you need a water-base paint.

[bcfishhead]

I was also in search of a background when a friend dropped off a quote poster from my all time favorite movie. The Big Lebowski

it is in black and white and i think it looks great in the tank as my background.

something different right! the picture of course doesnt do it any justice

[DogFish]

Originally Posted by lochaber

In the past, I've had good experience with spraypaint, but considering I'm in a studio apartment not on the ground floor (and dealing with bigger tanks), I'm gong to try the latex paint. When I was in Home Depot, they had these little ~7oz sized trial for a couple dollars, that you can get tinted (I got mine black). container says it should cover a 4x4 area, which should be enough for 2+ coats on most tanks.

I saw those two but if I remember correctly the tints were darker than I wanted?

The 1st coat is the most important color wise when you use latex. If it's a bit too dark the 2nd coat use white. I had to to cross hatch my layers as I let the paint get to tick. I painted out doors in July and I should have cut the paint with water. I didn't get the smoothest finish. Still turned out O.K.

[Knotyoureality]

Nor are you limited to solid colors. This was a bit of an experimental treatment for a holding tank for excess plants and fish, a sort of "junk" tank. Since it would potentially be thin on plants at times, I wanted a background with some built in depth and complexity.

Painted in about nine layers, the colors range from metallic golds and copper to various greens, blues and browns. The final coat was a solid dark pine green.



And how it looks planted:

[DogFish]

Knotyoureality - I've seen some of these look great with various highlights and darker areas. That light defuser panel I have on my 40 is the closest I've come to what it really looks like underwater. But, I only achieve that in the evening with subtle backlighting. During the day addition ambient light derails the effect.

[Jeffww]

I've used a white board background with a fluorescent strip at the bottom to do some retrolighting effects:

It looks much brighter in person though, almost like the ADA set ups.

[Tenor1]

To get that shade of purple I would still suggest getting a few paint-card samples and see how they change with your lighting. I was surprised when I did this. You can then go back and make the adjustment lighter or darker to match the color we see on our computer screen.

[DogFish]

Originally Posted by Tenor1

To get that shade of purple I would still suggest getting a few paint-card samples and see how they change with your lighting. I was surprised when I did this. You can then go back and make the adjustment lighter or darker to match the color we see on our computer screen.

Good point, the pain always seems darker when it's on the background.

[jhays79]

Originally Posted by bcfishhead

I was also in search of a background when a friend dropped off a quote poster from my all time favorite movie. The Big Lebowski

it is in black and white and i think it looks great in the tank as my background.

something different right! the picture of course doesnt do it any justice



Attachment 71417

I dig it!

[Mahlady]

here goes nothing, coat 1. Color Red Berry Melon


Will post when finished, just thought I would show you the color, and the "initial before pic"


Mahlady

guess I got bored sitting in the house, its only 9 degrees here today and snowing. So I went to the paint store =)

Wish me luck.
I am excited, I love the color


and yes, I painted the front, its all scratched up and we are turning it around, the other side is very clear and hardly any scratches on it.

[ADJAquariums]

This is what i was thinking! a very nice magenta would be cool looking

[UDGags]

Hmmm, I don't know about that color but I'm curious that's for sure. Can't wait to see the tank full.