Painting tank

Briguy350 · Jan 9, 2015

How do you guys like to paint the back of your tank? It's gonna be black. Should spray or roll it on with the same paint I'm using for the stand. My current 75g I painted with a brush same paint as stand and it's been flaking off over the last few years. Also I have a DIY stand I'm painting black as well, do I have to primer the whole thing before painting? Or just a few coats. It's made out of 2x4 and plywood. Thanks

Dalmatia · Jan 9, 2015

Go with blue,, it will give you a nice clear water look

fungia_fiend · Jan 9, 2015

I prefer black. I've both sprayed them and rolled them. You'll want to use lots of light coats whichever method you choose. My current tank wasn't painted and I regret it.

Fin · Jan 9, 2015

I have used different types of paint through the years, but honestly I think I like Krylon Fusion the best. I used roll on acrylic on my 140 and it is still perfect after 8 years. It took a number of coats, but no peeling, even after all these years. I have a nano that I painted with Fusion 4 years ago and it is also perfect. For my taste, I prefer the Fusion. Easy to apply. I know it is for plastics, but I tried it on glass once and liked the way it came out.

I have always used black to hide overflows, etc., but on the nano I am currently building, I decided to try blue. I have to tell you, I really think I will like it better.

tonymission · Jan 9, 2015

I've always used krylon fusion too... Hard to find sometimes tho

Briguy350 · Jan 9, 2015

I've always used black too just because the trim, stand, overflow was black so just kept it going. I have seen some blue backgrounds and really like them too but I have an Aqueon RR ready so I think that off set overflow would really stand out with blue. And thoughts on the stand? Primer or will a few coats of black work.

redfishbluefish · Jan 9, 2015

I used the best paint money could buy......$0.98 black spray tank from HD

The tank looks as good today as the day it was painted.......in 2008

Thunderfan · Jan 10, 2015

I used black vinyl. Very easy to put on and if I decide to change colors I can just peal it off. Paint is easily scrwtched but, vinyl is tough and cheap. I will never paint one again.