read about blacking out the back of aquarium

[Justin D]

What's better for the back outside of aquarium black matte paint or black vinyl pros and cons

 

[reeferfoxx]

What's better for the back outside of aquarium black matte paint or black vinyl pros and cons

They both achieve the same. Still gonna be black on the inside?

 

[Maritimer]

You pays your money and you takes your choice... The paint may give a more even finish, but might be easier to scratch.

On my tank, the background is the most "low-rent" feature - it's cut from a black plastic trash bag. From the front ... it's just black.

~Bruce

 

[Justin D]

They both achieve the same. Still gonna be black on the inside?

Only outside im going with a 650 gallon 130x34x34

 

[Mike in CT]

I used black tint, if I did it again I would paint.

 

[Justin D]

I used black tint, if I did it again I would paint.

I'm afraid it may start chipping one day the paint

 

[willthethrill]

Black Plasti-Dip spray can. A few coats and done. Easily removable as well. I've done it to all my tanks

 

[Justin D]

Black Plasti-Dip spray can. A few coats and done. Easily removable as well. I've done it to all my tanks

Does it chip at all?

 

[samanthajones]

I used black acrylic paint on my aquarium and it hasn't chipped or scratched. You could scrape it off if you really wanted too. I painted it about 4 years ago and it still looks fine.

 

[willthethrill]

Does it chip at all?

Nope it dries and becomes a rubbery film. And if you ever decide to remove it, it just peels off. A lot of guys use plasti-dip on rims and stuff to black them out and then remove it.

 

[Epicreefster]

Black semigloss krylon fusion spray paint(or whatever they call it these days) is what i use, two coats and your done. yes it can scratch but just spray a bit on and your touched up, but I've never had to. It sticks well enough to put it on the bottom and slide a 1000lb tank around on foam and it doesn't scratch. I don't use typical brush pain because on glass it contracts when it dries and cracks.

I've seen the spray paint chip of internally painted surfaces(pvc and acrylic parts) but never when you paint the outside. You have to hit it hard enough to scratch the glass to chip the paint.

From your dims you might have an acrylic tank, do not pre sand the surface. It's the paint manufacturers recommendation but that's for a nice look on the outside, not the backside through the material. No matter what you use as paint if you sand the surface it will look like crap.

I hardly even mask anymore, just wipe the non painted surface down with paper towels and acetone for overspray cleanup. Do the same before painting to clean the surface.

 

[Justin D]

Black semigloss krylon fusion spray paint(or whatever they call it these days) is what i use, two coats and your done. yes it can scratch but just spray a bit on and your touched up, but I've never had to. It sticks well enough to put it on the bottom and slide a 1000lb tank around on foam and it doesn't scratch. I don't use typical brush pain because on glass it contracts when it dries and cracks.

I've seen the spray paint chip of internally painted surfaces(pvc and acrylic parts) but never when you paint the outside. You have to hit it hard enough to scratch the glass to chip the paint.

From your dims you might have an acrylic tank, do not pre sand the surface. It's the paint manufacturers recommendation but that's for a nice look on the outside, not the backside through the material. No matter what you use as paint if you sand the surface it will look like crap.

I hardly even mask anymore, just wipe the non painted surface down with paper towels and acetone for overspray cleanup. Do the same before painting to clean the surface.

My 130x34x34 its 3/4 glass

 

[Joey waid]

Paint..

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

What are the benefits of painting the back of your tank black vice leaving it clear?

 

[reeferfoxx]

Benefits would be to hide anything behind the tank. Otherwise it's personal preference.

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

Oh ok. Thanks.

 

[Salty1962]

I'd paint due to the ease of coverage. The film is very difficult to work with and keep air bubbles out of it. My previous 90G I painted and it looked very good, just use rubber on whatever you mount so it won't scratch the paint off. JME

 

[reeferfoxx]

Acrylic spray paint is easiest if the tank is empty. Just tape off the areas you don't want covered. I tried a paint brush method back in my beginner days. Left too many paint streaks and had to add 3 coats.

 

[shakinghorizons]

Any reason why everyone is suggesting Black? I have never used black before, I've used "ocean blue" as well as "deep ocean blue" and have had good results. I'll have to dig up a picture.

 

[willthethrill]

Any reason why everyone is suggesting Black? I have never used black before, I've used "ocean blue" as well as "deep ocean blue" and have had good results. I'll have to dig up a picture.

A colorful reef tank really "pops" against a black background. Everyone's eyes focus on what's in the tank as opposed to the background. Some coral and fish are blue or have blue shades and a blue background kinda takes away from it. Just my opinion. Id say most ppl feel the same