Background Change Help

[H2O_Beasts]

I think all ideas mentioned above would go well. Its just a matter of where your tank is located. If its inside the house and you went with paint you're gonna have to mask a lot of things because of over spray aside from the fact that you should get a low VOC paint because of the smell. If its out of the living quarters then just mask the tank and spray away. Weigh your options and good luck.

Cool. The tank is in my living room with not much space between the wall and the tank so I don't think I can paint it unless I empty it and move it

 

[Ryan Paul]

My tanks are all painted it looks much better than the other options. I would not attempt to paint the tank while it is running for 2 reasons. If the tank is upright it will most deffinatley run, paint does not stick to glass very well. You always want to lay the tank down so you can do at least 3 thin coates and it will hold better just make sure the glass is very clean. Reason 2, if you care at all about your fish and yourself do not paint in a closed area. The fish get their oxygen from the immediate area outside the tank. You could unplug your pump but it would have to be for quite awhile and your fish may get sick from strees of trying to get oxygen.

If you put thin coates your tank would be ready in a few hours to place back in the house it does not take long to dry. Get a 55 gallon drum and clean well then place your water that is in your tank in there along with your air pump and filtration. (you may need to cut the top of the drum in order to do this, I find the drums on craigslist all the time for 5$) Then paint your tank and place back in the house. This way you will not lose the establishment of your tank.

Hope this helps

 

[Ryan Paul]

I have done this same thing multiple times and been completed in just a few hours. It seems like a pain but it is worth it and you will love the out come here is a pic of mine.

 

[H2O_Beasts]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBrpZlTyk1A

Updated to black background today without painting. I think it looks much better than before!

 

[littlewangzfan]

Nice. Way to go!

 

[Ryan Paul]

nice

 

[Dr_Shakalu]

When I had my tank and wanted a black background, I went to Home Depot and got a thin board. Make sure the surface is even and not pine or anything because you will see swirls and wood markings. Anyways, I cut the wood piece to size and spray painted it black. I sprayed 2X just to make sure it was completely black. Don't use duck tape or any other adhesive to install the board. When water gets in between the board and tank, you won't be able to clean it and water stains just kills the look of a tank. Instead, I used velcro strips on the four corners so I was able to take off the boad when necessary to clean the back of the tank. Hope this helps, The Doctor.

 

[H2O_Beasts]

Nice. Way to go!

Thanks! It was a pain but definitely worth it. Think I can add any more fish? (there is 1 L114 in there but it was hiding when I filmed the video)

 

[Inglorious]

I hung velcro around the edges of my tank on the back and then stuck a giant sheet of felt to it to get my background black. This way it won't get water spots like paper backgrounds can, but I can change the color in a matter of minutes too.

 

[jakeowen]

Sorry to hijack, or sidetrack, but what type of paint is best?