Black back or no?
- Thread starter Mariette
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PaulPerger
Active Member
Black Paint works best. Get paint that is made for glass. It will still take several coats. Film can work, but many films have a "glue pattern" that is not visible when looking at the tint, but is visible when looking at the backside of the tint. If you choose to use tint, I would use Limo Tint that is made for glass and to be seen through, but if you get 5% or 0% you will not be able to see through it.
I prefer blue, and I do prefer paint to a vinyl roll. Black is okay too, I have one dark blue, one light blue and one black backed tank. Krylon Fusion on the back is what I would typically use.
PaulPerger
Active Member
One more comment... No matter what you use, be sure to expose bare glass around any holes you have cut in your glass. You want gaskets for bulkheads to be directly against glass. Tape if painting, if using film then cut some off around each hole.
Fin
Professional Procrastinator
Black helps camouflage dark colored equipment inside the tank (like overflows, powerheads, and even black PVC, if you need to use it inside of the tank). People have used just about every paint imaginable, so you have lots of options. On my last tank, I used 5-6 coats of plain old black latex paint and a roller. It was still on the tank with no scratches 12 years later.
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Mariette
Valuable Member
Black looks fantastic, no need to paint. You can buy rolls of amazon and its applied like a tint on the back glass if I'm not mistaken
I’ve tried the rolls. I hate them. Can’t grt em 100% flush. Water always ends up between glass and backing leaving impossible to clean streaks. So you take backing off to clean, it inevitably gets crumpled and looks horrible when put back. It doesn’t go on like tint. It’s a sheet. You tape it on.
PaulPerger
Active Member
Some units have gaskets on both sides. For example, most external overflow boxes will have gaskets on the outside. For a straight bulkhead with only one gasket, you are right, it isn't necessary, but it doesn't hurt to err on the side of caution.
saintsreturn
Well-Known Member
I have done both blue and black. Just bought a cheap sample from the big home improvement places. Love the look of the black but kinda miss the way the blue shimmered with the lights. For me, it varies based on the backdrop of the tank. Since i went to a grey wall, i would do black again every time.
To answer your other question, He is harping on non toxic paint to be on the side of caution. You do in fact paint the outside, but if its not cured you run the risk of fumes and wet paint getting into your system. Take his advise and let it marinate. Once that is done, pick a color and paint the back. Wait till the following day if you are rushed, if not, give it 24 hrs from the final coat before setting up. Done and done.
To answer your other question, He is harping on non toxic paint to be on the side of caution. You do in fact paint the outside, but if its not cured you run the risk of fumes and wet paint getting into your system. Take his advise and let it marinate. Once that is done, pick a color and paint the back. Wait till the following day if you are rushed, if not, give it 24 hrs from the final coat before setting up. Done and done.
saintsreturn
Well-Known Member
Perfect. Also, from my lesson learned.... Paint it with a couple coats so it looks finished and then have someone help with the moving of the tank. I tried to move my smaller one and ended up scratching the paint with my belt buckle. Talk about not being happy!
Even if the tank is light enough, two people reduce a lot of risks, including scratching the paint right off. Good luck and let us know which color you go with.
I will try to find my two build threads so i can show you the blue one i had versus my black one now. The blue also highlighted the algae growth on the glass, which is one reason i opted for black this time around.
d2mini
5000 Club Member
Black is best on a reef.
Agree with above about using a vinyl aquarium background if possible.
I have paint now which was easy to apply but you do have to be careful about it pulling off or scratching off if you attach anything to the back like frag racks, sticky tabs to hold powerhead wiring, etc.
Agree with above about using a vinyl aquarium background if possible.
I have paint now which was easy to apply but you do have to be careful about it pulling off or scratching off if you attach anything to the back like frag racks, sticky tabs to hold powerhead wiring, etc.
saintsreturn
Well-Known Member
Blue before:
Blue with more whites in my lights
Black backdrop with blues on
Blue with more whites in my lights
Black backdrop with blues on
link81
Well-Known Member
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Mariette
Valuable Member
Ugh that sucks. I’m gonna need serious help moving it cuz I’m going w a larger tank and it has to go down an extremely awkward set of stairs to my basement. Looking forward to those threads if u find em
