Need advice on painting back of tank

[wdhdoc]

Here's a real "newbie" question: what type of paint should be used to paint the back of my all-glass 30 gallon tank black?.Any other advice regarding this paint job?
I plan to put a few African shell-dwellers in this tank if that makes a difference.
Regards and thanks in advance...

[NJ Devils Fan]

Instead of painting it, I would recommend taping a few pieces of construction paper to the back. It works very well. That's what I did on mine and you just place the tape on the top and bottom rims so you don't ever see it. It's also better because if you change your mind and want another color, you can easily peel it off.

[Mrditty]

I paint the black of all my tanks Black Gives a sence of added depth to the tank. Any inexpensive spary paint will do.

If you don't like it you can eaisly remove it with a shap razor blade whhen its dry.

[JSchmidt]

I painted the back of a 75 (I used a brush-on enamel, I believe), but I don't think I'll bother. I really don't see a great difference between it and tanks with a plastic background taped in place. I don't know how hard or how easy it would be to remove the paint (has anyone actually done this?), but painting seems like overkill to me.

Jim

[Mrditty]

A can of spray paint can be had for under $2.00. A paper based back ground would run you that much per foot


I used to manage a highrise window cleaning company and yes it is real easy to remove the paint. The thiker it is the better if you think you might be removeing it.

But I will agree it would be easier to remove a few peices of tape.

But then again I have never had the need to.

[NJ Devils Fan]

Construction paper costs pennies. You should just tape some on the back even if you don't want to and see how it looks because of how cheap it is. You will end up liking it because it looks exactly the same as being painted.

[125gJoe]

I agree with NJ Devil.. And, actually painting the back seems extreme to me. I sprayed Pam (no stick cooking spray) on glossy black aquarium background and put it on the back of the tank. Use a credit card, or something similar to push or scrape trapped air bubbles that are between the glass and background.

:)

[Slappy*McFish]

I painted the back of my 55 with flat black enamel...and taped black paper on my 10 gallon....what ever floats your boat...large tanks are better off with paint I think...plus it looks better.

[125gJoe]

Slappy McFish,
Can you share a pic or 2 of the painted glass?

Thanks..

[wdhdoc]

Thanks to all who took the time and trouble to reply. I think I'll try the black construction paper method, as it appealss to me in that it allows for an easy change of mind if I want to try blue or other background in the future.
It's great to have aquaria central forums to help us newbies!

Regards to all

wdhdoc

[NJ Devils Fan]

Slappy, it's the same thing, there is no difference. I have seen both and there is no difference.

[Mrditty]

Chiming in one last time If you use construction paper and it gets wet it will look like crap. and will have to be redone. and it will get wet.

This is not a big deal if the tank in question is on the small side but most of my tanks are on the larger size. And the thought of working in the 2" gap between the tank and wall amidst all the hoses and wires tiring to realign a paper backing or replace it, is a little freighting.

[NJ Devils Fan]

If he is worries about it getting get, then Joe's method would work very well. I have gotten mine a little wet and nothing happened.

[wdhdoc]

Good point Mrditty, and it swings me back towards paint. I have a LFS purchased plastic background taped to the back of my 36 gallon bowfront, and it's starting to look a little ragged due to water getting between the tank and the sheet. The tanks in question are a new 46 gallon bowfront and a 30 gallon rectangular tank I'm setting up now...
again thanks to all for their opinions, and will keep an eye onn any other opinions for a few days before a finnal decision...

[Slappy*McFish]

NJDevilsfan..like I said..I have both as well, and I can tell the difference...especially if the paper gets wet, or starts to fade with age...unfortunately, I don't have a digital camera..otherwise I would have posted tank pics ages ago...and the camera I do have is a total POS..it wouldn't do the tanks justice.

[NJ Devils Fan]

Slappy, is the camera so bad that the tanks don't even show up? ;)

[Slappy*McFish]

It would show up...but with flash glare, and the colors would be all wrong, not to mention out of focus....maybe I can borrow my brother's-in-law digital camera...he's got a bad *** one.

[carpguy]

I went to an art supply store (actually a paper store) and bought a nice natural textured sheet of paper (not really sure how readily available this might be). I feel like the texture gives an added depth your not going to see with flat paint. I had thought of protecting the back with some sort of mounting board but because of my canopy it hasn't been a problem. Mounting the background would also make the background easier to remove (fit between rims and tape the top.

As far as paint goes, lots of folks seem to like spray paint. If I was concerned about ease of removal I'd go with an acrylic. Has anyone tried texturing paint?

[Slappy*McFish]

IMO, the purpose of a black background is to not actually "see" a background, but to provide a black backdrop for your plants and fish...I chose enamel because of it's durability and strength, and as I have no intention of using any other color for my background, I won't be removing it...I brushed mine on...put about 3 layers on there....but as stated by a few others, I agree that acrylic would be easier to remove if one chooses to do so.
But really, all this boils down to personal preference. Backgrounds are really just part of the aquascaping, and everyone has their preferences concerning as to what looks pleasing to the eye. Variety is a good thing.