Black Background?
- Thread starter rshew
- Start date
Definitely recommend the painting option!
Ive done both. Really depends on the tank for me. For instance, i just built this tank, a peninsula design:
Im going to have it right up against the wall behind the tank like its sitting, and so will use a piece of painted cardboard on the wall side because if i ever switch the layout i dont want to have to remove paint. At the same time, im gonna coat the bottom and manifold panel in black pondarmor epoxy because those panels will more or less always be obscured.
Im going to have it right up against the wall behind the tank like its sitting, and so will use a piece of painted cardboard on the wall side because if i ever switch the layout i dont want to have to remove paint. At the same time, im gonna coat the bottom and manifold panel in black pondarmor epoxy because those panels will more or less always be obscured.
I always paint the back of my tanks. The best paint I've ever used is just a basic exterior weatherproof paint. Most of these exterior paints have a % of latex in them to prevent cracking.
The very best thing about them is that if you choose to change your mind at some point in the future they just peel off, in one big thin flexible sheet.
I was breaking down the 180g tank in the picture and moving it on to another hobbyist. So I peeled the back off so they could do what they wanted with it. No scrapers or heat guns needed. Just pick at the corner and peel.
The very best thing about them is that if you choose to change your mind at some point in the future they just peel off, in one big thin flexible sheet.
I was breaking down the 180g tank in the picture and moving it on to another hobbyist. So I peeled the back off so they could do what they wanted with it. No scrapers or heat guns needed. Just pick at the corner and peel.
When I lived in the north country, I liked to paint sheets of styrofoam matt black, to be duct taped to the back and sides of the tank.
Beside the color, the styro helped insulate the tank, and hold water temps stable, which came in handy during winter power outages.
I also kept sheets of styrofoam cut and at the ready for the front of tanks, for power outages.
Beside the color, the styro helped insulate the tank, and hold water temps stable, which came in handy during winter power outages.
I also kept sheets of styrofoam cut and at the ready for the front of tanks, for power outages.
I've painted the backs of tanks black, blue and green. They all looked pretty good. Really depends on what you want. Also, depends where you're keeping the tank. My current 166 has the overflow painted black, but the rest of the tank isn't. This is in case I want to move the tank into an open area one day and be able to look at it from every side.
Look at that. That paint is perfect. I love how you had the presence of mind in the moment to snap that picture: "MFKers will want to see this."
There is a product called "plasti dip" that peels off even better than the exterior paint, It's literally made to be removable. Either will work though.
I usually just tape up a background. If you go that route, get a plastic background and not construction paper, as the paper will get wet and deform.
I usually just tape up a background. If you go that route, get a plastic background and not construction paper, as the paper will get wet and deform.
