Black Background?

[broox159]

I was just wondering how many people here have black backgrounds for their tanks?

If you do, did you paint them?

Can you possible post pics so i can get an idea as to what it might look like?

Im thinking about painting mine, but i dont want to ruin it and im feeling a bit nervous about going ahead and doing it!!

 

[soybean]

Attach a black bin liner to the back. It'll give you an idea before you go ahead.

 

[micko]

Black bin bag, black piece of fabric or card. You can also buy black backgrounds on ebay.

 

[fishyfeet]

i use the jewel sculptured background, its really good

 

[minnnt]

Yep, black bin liners work well!! As does wallpaper samples from the local d.i.y. shop.

 

[walkers101]

Cant beat black paint no ripples and no light getting through and takes 10 minutes to do depending on the size of the tank

 

[Ant_Soton]

I've found most tanks backgrounds you get from any fish shop are double sided, design on one side and blue or back on the other. Cost me bout a fiver to do both my tanks

 

[This Old Spouse]

Cant beat black paint no ripples and no light getting through and takes 10 minutes to do depending on the size of the tank

What kind of paint?

 

[minnnt]

matt emulsion or gloss will do the trick!

 

[This Old Spouse]

I meant, oil or latex?

 

[rosswarren]

The ones in the shops are double sided with one side being black That's how I got mine.

 

[Proxo]

Black background thing from the LFS here, you do get a slight light reflection from them imo though.
I've noticed with people who paint there backgrounds dont get this (maybe camera tricks?) lol.

I'm too scared to paint the tank myself as i'd like to be able to turn the tank around when i scratch the front glass too much lol.

 

[Defiance]

Used some blackboard paint (glorified black emulsion) from my local wilkinson store

Cleaned glass with some glass cleaner etc, then brush painted it on

As obvious as it seems any rubs/scratches will remove the paint (ideal really if ever you want to remove the paint ;-) )

TTFN

Tony

 

[Mowbz]

Used some blackboard paint (glorified black emulsion) from my local wilkinson store

The person i bought my 4ft from had done this, and its actually nice and easy to get off too.

I used a single sided razorblade (industry standard for scraping headgaskets off emgine blocks lol) to scrape it off, and it just peeled off. Youll need to use several blades to keep them sharp (to not scratch) but they're pence at B&Q

I imagine its the same with most paints, you could easily get them off if you wanted to swap the tank around

And i think the light flash on the store bought backgrounds is because they are a laminate, shiny surface. Bits of "wallpaper sample" (awesome idea!) wil most likely be matt finish, and not glare.

 

[Proxo]

Kinda wanna paint mine now, could always get myself some wallpaper sample and then use the store bought laminated one behind it as to not get the wallpaper sample wet?