Leave it or paint it?

[Ross B Reef'n]

My wife and I's aquarium is almost ready to be moved into its final position. The aquarium is in a wall and the sides have access, but will still be very hard to get to. My wife is painting the front of the cabinet as I 'speak'. While shimmying the tank the morning, the background that's applied reared some ugly bubbles . The background is on three sides. I've fixed the bubbles, but I'm worried about the longevity (years) of the background staying in place perfectly.
I'm at critical point where it's not too late to turn back and paint the tank.

I will also say that my wife likes how glossy the current background is...

Edit: the current background is the vinyl squeegee on type.

 

[Peace River]

My wife and I's aquarium is almost ready to be moved into its final position. The aquarium is in a wall and the sides have access, but will still be very hard to get to. My wife is painting the front of the cabinet as I 'speak'. While shimmying the tank the morning, the background that's applied reared some ugly bubbles . The background is on three sides. I've fixed the bubbles, but I'm worried about the longevity (years) of the background staying in place perfectly.
I'm at critical point where it's not too late to turn back and paint the tank.

I will also say that my wife likes how glossy the current background is...

Just to clarify, is it paint splatter where the paint was uneven when it was applied or are there spots where the paint did not actually adhere to the glass? Do you expect to keep the glass clean or let coralline algae cover the glass? Normally I would suggest that you leave it alone, but if it really will be that hard to get to then it may be worth taking the little bit of extra time to redo it. A new razor blade should remove the paint quickly. I am not sure how that you prepped the glass, but sometimes bubbles can occur if the glass was not completely clean (I usually wipe the glass with acetone). Either way, this looks like an exciting project and I look forward to seeing how it comes together and then how the tank matures. Good luck!

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

Just to clarify, is it paint splatter where the paint was uneven when it was applied or are there spots where the paint did not actually adhere to the glass? Do you expect to keep the glass clean or let coralline algae cover the glass? Normally I would suggest that you leave it alone, but if it really will be that hard to get to then it may be worth taking the little bit of extra time to redo it. A new razor blade should remove the paint quickly. I am not sure how that you prepped the glass, but sometimes bubbles can occur if the glass was not completely clean (I usually wipe the glass with acetone). Either way, this looks like an exciting project and I look forward to seeing how it comes together and then how the tank matures. Good luck!

Sorry if I didn't clarify, the tank currently has the vinyl petco type that you squeegee on. We also plan to keep the side wall glass clean.

And thank you

I think we would just be sad if we filled it up with water and 6 months later we ened up with a huge bubble we couldn't get rid of. We'd have to name it Frank or something.

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

Another note, the picture is the back side from the fishroom.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Once it’s filled with water, you won’t see the background on the sides, you will see reflection (like a mirror).

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

Once it’s filled with water, you won’t see the background on the sides, you will see reflection (like a mirror).

Very interesting!!!

 

[RobW]

I'm painting the back and overflow end of my tank like a deep blue color. I know most prefer black but I want it to be like the depths of the ocean in the distance beyond the reef. As for the mirror thing... my tank has 2 viewable panels. The face and one end. So I dont want to see the plumbing through the end panel of my tank.

 

[Ross B Reef'n]

I'm painting the back and overflow end of my tank like a deep blue color. I know most prefer black but I want it to be like the depths of the ocean in the distance beyond the reef. As for the mirror thing... my tank has 2 viewable panels. The face and one end. So I dont want to see the plumbing through the end panel of my tank.

Sounds awesome! Post a picture when you finish!