Tank Trim

[erk628]

Most tanks either come with black or a oak look trim. I don't like the oak look I think it looks cheap and it looks even worse on a black stand. I was wondering if you would be able to paint the trim light fixtures and hood on the outside. Would this work would it be harmful to the fish?

 

[shelaghfishface]

why not just buy a tank that you DO like

i wouldnt start messing about painting or using stick back plastic.. it tends to look naff unless done " properly"

 

[rebrn]

I know someone that had a wood canopy, I think it was oak. Anyway she didn't like the colour, didn't match the new furniture decor, so she stained the outside with a cherry stain. But you would have to be really careful when doing it, and let it dry fully before adding it back to the top of the tank. You would also probably want to protect it with some kind of urethane. I know a canopy isn't quite the same thing. But as long as you were careful I don't see why you wouldn't be able to paint the outside of it. I mean some people paint the back wall of the aquarium instead of using the plastic backgrounds.

The one thing I would be concerned about is the material itself. If it was plastic trim, you would need to rough it up a bit as most pain doesn't adhere well, on a permanent basis, to plastic. If it is would you will probably need to do some sanding, as it probably has a water protector on it, and the paint, again, probably won't adhere well if you don't rough it up a bit.

 

[erk628]

why not just buy a tank that you DO like

i wouldnt start messing about painting or using stick back plastic.. it tends to look naff unless done " properly"

I found a 125 brand new with black stand for 499 but has the oak look trim. Found another one for 400 used with stand but has a plexyglass top. It has black trim but don't know about the top a new hood is 300 or I could get a glass top for 60 got one on one of my tanks

 

[shelaghfishface]

£499?? sheesh thats expensive for a 125.. you obvioulsy have too much money in which case i think you should marry me

i guess by the avatar you mean $$ tho and i missed out

lol

why not go with a glass box type ( no trim) and a luminaire?

 

[OldMan47]

If you are talking about the wood pattern on a plastic trim, try a bit of steel wool on a hidden spot of the trim. Mine were only a thin coat of paint over a black plastic trim. The steel wool took it right off and voila, black trim. By using a fine grit of steel wool, it gave me a nice looking black finish, not shiny but more a satin finish, when I was done.

 

[erk628]

£499?? sheesh thats expensive for a 125.. you obvioulsy have too much money in which case i think you should marry me

i guess by the avatar you mean $$ tho and i missed out

lol

why not go with a glass box type ( no trim) and a luminaire?

Yes I live in the states I found this tank on craigslist its new never been used still got the sticker on it glass tops and lights never been used still in the box he wants $399 for it and $499 with stand. The other one I found on there is used comes with filter dead rock and a sump was used for saltwater. Also glass tops and a wood stand but no lights for $400. If I was to buy these in the store they would prob we over $1000 I would love a rimless one but don't have the money gotta buy used. Oh and sorry I'm married and a little far from were your at

 

[OldMan47]

With the price difference, I think the $400 is a better buy. Don't worry about no hood unless you really like the hood that would be included. A glass top means that you are keeping the water from evaporating quickly so it becomes a simple case of what you would like the top to look like. If you want a fancy box on top you can build one for much less than you might think. If you just want a way to light the tank, some nice looking light fixtures are made that would also allow you to grow plants, something the "new" hood on the other tank will not be able to do. An existing sump and filter means a huge savings for a large tank like that compared to buying new. I'm not sure what I would do with the rock on a FW tank since most substrate type stuff used on SW is intentionally designed to hold the pH fairly high. You can also make or buy a stand, customized to your needs, for not too much money. If you wanted a standard stand, they are available at your LFS for a higher price than a DIY but not much more than the offer you have on the NIB tank's stand. Another thing to consider, if you like the stand, is to offer some money for the stand as long as it is the right size for the other tank.