What do you use for background?

[PotRoast]

I have used the store bought backgrounds and taped them on....they work ok I guess.

I just bought Blue Life Watercolors. Apparently you squeegee it (a thin film) on and it binds to the glass.

Now I am thinking I should return the watercolors background and just paint the glass.

Then I am thinking....
1. Will the paint be resistant to salt water if it gets on it?
2. Will the paint be resistant to 'salt creep'?


Does anyone have any experience with Watercolors backgrounds and/or painting the back glass of a tank?

 

[Sploke]

On most of my tanks I have hung navy or black fabric on the back of the tank, which works well. I spraypainted my reef tank. Most spraypaint is oil based, so it should stand up to water and salt creep.

 

[Reefscape]

Last reef i built i used normal wood gloss paint...this current reef, store brough black plastic.

Note....If you use gloss paint, do not paint the silicon as it will errode it..

 

[jmarsh3253]

I use Krylon flat black spray paint. Once it's good and dry, I cover the paint on the outside with blue painter's tape. This protects the paint from getting scratched off by anything that may come in contact with the back of the tank.

 

[almo75]

Good tip jmarsh. Thanks!

 

[Ace25]

Ya, awesome tip, thanks, I will be doing just that on my new tank.

 

[ChangDriX]

good 'ol spray paint, i think it was a satin finish black

 

[Almondsaz]

One of the people I know with a reef used dark window tint on the back of the tank. Looks great and you can either permanently install it or just use a squeege (sp) and soap/water mix to start the static. That is what I am going to do so that it isn't permanent.

 

[pokoloco]

I have been letting my coralline cover. But I do have a few bare spots might try the window tint thing, maybe mirror.
Thanks for the inspiration.