Painting The Back

[Offelias]

Hi everyone,

Just a few questions about the back of the tank.
I've recently received a 4ft tank which I'm in the process of setting up.

I was considering black mylar but after some consideration, I'm just tempted to paint the background.
The only time this will need changing will be if I ever sell up, which could be never. I figured it would save from refraction, and would be durable perhaps with the occasional touch up once in a while.
I've not had great experience with mylar in the past. The edging always gets knocked or curls in time.

As the tank is in a small apartment block, I don't have room to spray-paint and keep the flat sufficiently aerated. And I don't particularly want the place smelling of aerosol for the next week.
I've read that you can paint on thin layers with a flat surface roller.
The real question for me is what kind of paint best suits this purpose? I've read that it doesn't really matter whether it's gloss, satin or emulsion. However, I'd like something that will go on well, and will be relatively resistant to watermarks and the odd scratching. I'm guessing Satin due to being able to wash the walls...?

Also, if any UK folk can name any particular brands of paint they've used for this purpose, that would be amazing.

Thank you!

 

[tribalbrit]

Any gloss paint will do. Apply with a brush or a roller for better results, a small gloss roller is perfect for the job. One or sometimes two coats are required, you can also do the sides if viewing isn't required through the ends.
Painting is to be done externally of course.
Dulux, or any good brand will do.

 

[Liz xty]

Hi, my husband has just done my new tank in black - he used johnstones matt black for interior wood and metal, applied with a brush to the exterior of the tank. ( a small 250ml tin has done 2 walls of a 2' x 3' corner tank and there's about 1/2 tin left)
He dolloped it on in a single coat, but went over thin looking areas within an hour of the original coat - I shone a torch through from the inside to highlight any thinner areas. 24 hours later we carried it into position, dragged the filter pipes round the back, posted the heater and air pump plugs etc down the back and it hasn't scratched. We like the look!

 

[Offelias]

Thank you both for your replies.

I think I'll pop to Wilkinsons tomorrow and find something suitable.
Interesting that one of you has used gloss while the other has used matt.
Does it make that much of a difference when it comes to the viewing angle?

Exciting times

 

[Liz xty]

I think hubby got matt, thinking it would dry faster and stink less! It has given a slight satin finish actually, but as those sides are now against the wall, it can't be seen from the outside. The glass in front of the paint, gives a gloss finish whether you like it or not! Now it's full of water, plants etc, from some angles it's like a mirror, looking in from outside. Though the fish don't seem to see it as a mirror (at least I don't think so - I won't know what it looks like from their point of view until I dip my head in one day ;-) )
I'd been considering the 3d interior backgrounds, but am more than happy with the simply painted background - the fish are shown off much better. I'd had one of the plastic films behind the old tank, of plants and rocks etc, - didn't show off the fish well at all!

 

[JenJ]

I used a tester pot for ordinary wall paint. It came with a sponge applicator, so (almost) no mess or clearing up to do. Needed two coats, and the applicator got a bit cruddy in between and took some of the old paint off so I bought a new one. For my second and third times I bought 2 tester pots for each one.

 

[Offelias]

Thanks, I appreciate the replies!

As you quite rightly said, the room facing side is covered with glass anyway.
So ultimately it probably doesn't make a whole lot of difference.