recommendations

[Brian Mountain]

Hey guys, I am getting ready to finally start plumbing for the tank soon. What should I use to cover the back of the tank and where would you get it? I want it to be black.

Thanks!

 

[jmann124]

I use black spray paint on it a few weeks before I put water in.

Edit: Careful a though since spray paint can run.

 

[Mark75]

Window tint,..darkest you can find. Looks great and does not scratch but requires a bit of skill to install. Auto Zone, AdvancedAuto etc.

Spray paint the outside back glass,..easy to do and lots of color choices but over time can peel/flake/scratched.

 

[BlueDevil]

I first tried film on mine and it wouldn't get a clean seal because of the rim on my tank. So I went with spray paint. Worked like a charm. Black Krylon spray paint bought from Walmart. One word of advice - the surface you are painting should be parallel to the ground not upright. Painting an upright surface led to lots of drips for me. The paint comes off very easily and cleanly with a razor blade if you do mess up and need to start over.

 

[cowboy]

I know this is for Tennessee forum but I quick help with window tint clean the glass very well after which create a layer of window cleaner covering the entire surface to where it's wet. This will allow you some time and a way to move the tint if necessary(spray away aresol seems to work best). After your tint is in place use a squigy and work you way from the center out and push all the liquid out. Let stand and you are done.

 

[Brian Mountain]

I first tried film on mine and it wouldn't get a clean seal because of the rim on my tank. So I went with spray paint. Worked like a charm. Black Krylon spray paint bought from Walmart. One word of advice - the surface you are painting should be parallel to the ground not upright. Painting an upright surface led to lots of drips for me. The paint comes off very easily and cleanly with a razor blade if you do mess up and need to start over.

How long should I wait before filling up with water for first time?

 

[BlueDevil]

How long should I wait before filling up with water for first time?

I let mine cure completely for 2-3 days before I did anything to the tank. The spray paint dries pretty fast but takes a few days to cure completely. I assume that you are painting the outside of the tank so no paint will be in contact with water. A couple of suggestions (from experience):

1. If you do get any bubbles or major drip marks, you might be best to redo the paint job. It is these bubbles and/or drip marks where the paint is most susceptible to cracking or tearing. Once you have a hole, it will basically peel off like a sheet of plastic. So, try to have a very even coat on the tank. I cannot stress this enough - take your time, and put on multiple light coats as opposed to heavier coats. The paint will go on more evenly, and will have a much lesser of a chance to run. The first few coats will only form a black haze on the tank. Don't feel like you need it to look opaque from the get go. It will get there after multiple coats.

2. When you do plumb the tank, or hang on a box etc... be very careful not to let the plumbing, bulkheads, overflow boxes etc scratch any of the paint as that will definitely lead to mass peeling.

Once you have a nice even coat, and have put your plumbing on, you will likely not have to touch/mess with the back of the tank, so the paint should hold quite well.

 

[Reefrookie220]

You can also use plastidip, if you need to remove it, it'll come off as one big sheet instead of tiny paint chips

 

[Reefrookie220]

You can also use plastidip, if you need to remove it, it'll come off as one big sheet instead of tiny paint chips

 

[Brian Mountain]

I know this is for Tennessee forum but I quick help with window tint clean the glass very well after which create a layer of window cleaner covering the entire surface to where it's wet. This will allow you some time and a way to move the tint if necessary(spray away aresol seems to work best). After your tint is in place use a squigy and work you way from the center out and push all the liquid out. Let stand and you are done.

My tank is 60x32. Is there a place to buy custom size tent or would you have to piece it together?

 

[BlueDevil]

My tank is 60x32. Is there a place to buy custom size tent or would you have to piece it together?

Window tint film at HD or Lowes is large enough to cover french doors on bedrooms so it will surely be plenty to cover your tank.

 

[cowboy]

Blue Devils hit it also you can pick it up at most auto shops talk to them a lot of times they will have scraps and you could score a feeebie.

 

[Rob.D]

Let me check my tint stock... ot sure if I have 5% I know I have 20%

 

[Steve Dillon]

Let me check my tint stock... ot sure if I have 5% I know I have 20%

The local contractor/ chief / window tinter.. lol.. not much he can't do..

 

[Rob.D]

The local contractor/ chief / window tinter.. lol.. not much he can't do..

Fun times....... I tinted cars in the day and I went to culinary school at night....

 

[Steve Dillon]

Lol.. forgot chef.. doing good?

 

[Brian Mountain]

Let me check my tint stock... ot sure if I have 5% I know I have 20%

Awesome! Let me know what you end up finding. I appreciate it

 

[Reeflogic]

Fun times....... I tinted cars in the day and I went to culinary school at night....

And removed walls in his sleep!!!

 

[Rob.D]

Awesome! Let me know what you end up finding. I appreciate it

I only have the 20% tint.... unfortunately it won't black out the back glass......

 

[Brian Mountain]

I only have the 20% tint.... unfortunately it won't black out the back glass......

Not a problem. Thank you so much for even offering!