What Background Paint ?

[Vin Swords]

Hi all,

Planing to go for painted background.. Don't want to spray. Just want to brush it.. Any one done this befor? What paint I should use ? how much I need ? I am in uk.. 5x2 tank.. Thanks.

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

Only thing to remember about painting your tank, is you are pretty much stuck with it. It will be an effort to change if you don't like the colour. I use a cut piece of acrylic sheet and slide it in behind the tank. You could buy a thin sheet of perspex and paint one side one colour and the other side a different colour, and flip it over when you fancy a change.

 

[mattyeatsmatts]

in my experience the colour black gives green plants a brilliant "glow"

 

[coldcazzie]

Any particular reason you don't want to spray it?

I've heard of people using gloss paint from a DIY store.

 

[Vin Swords]

Thought its bit messy to spray on the glass.. Could I go for acrylic spray paint for cars? Would it stick..? Plus I have to take my 3 d background off.. Hopefully glass will be clear enough to go for spray job .. How about pont paint inside the tank? Would it work?

in my experience the colour black gives green plants a brilliant "glow"

That is what I am looking for.. What did you used? And how much?

Only thing to remember about painting your tank, is you are pretty much stuck with it. It will be an effort to change if you don't like the colour. I use a cut piece of acrylic sheet and slide it in behind the tank. You could buy a thin sheet of perspex and paint one side one colour and the other side a different colour, and flip it over when you fancy a change.

Sounds too much work.. I won't mind if the paint don't come off.. I am planing big.. For next setup( after this)

 

[coldcazzie]

I used spray paint to paint mine. Taped it off with newspaper and masking tape, then did 2 layers of spray paint while it was on the floor outside. I used black for motorbike engines because that was the stuff that my husband picked up for me, but any spray paint would have done fine.

I presume you're planning on doing it when you move house? It won't change the drying time if you use spray paint rather than tinned paint, but I was worried about stuff from a tin having brush marks in it which is why I didn't want to use that. It's up to you though

 

[holidayinn]

I used emulsion outside the tank and no problems, if I want to ever change it, it wont be as difficult as if say I used gloss paint.

 

[AshleyT]

Iv used a black bag before, just cut it to size, it look quite good for nothing lol

 

[Juggler75]

Iv used a black bag before, just cut it to size, it look quite good for nothing lol

Seen this on a mates tank and was impressed with the look, even though it wasn't straight, as it gave a textured look so the illusion of 3D. Everytime I tried it it looked not as good though so maybe he was just lucky. (i'm crap at fitting backgrounds)

 

[AshleyT]

Hahahah I just stuck it to my tank with blue tax in all 4 corners and it seemed all good to me

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

Hahahah I just stuck it to my tank with blue tax in all 4 corners and it seemed all good to me

Smear a little cooking oil on the glass and the plastic will stick. You can then use a window squeegy to smooth it out and get it flat

 

[AshleyT]

Even better idea lol

 

[RipSlider]

Hi,

I've always used blackboard paint.

It's thick and very matt, so makes a great background. You need a few coats, just like you will with any paint but it dries pretty quick, and it's easy to clean the brushes.


What ever paint you decide to use, remember to clean the back of the tank first - either using vinegar or vodka. The benefit of vodka is that then you have the vodka bottle out so you can "test" it to make sure it's not gone off.

Steve

 

[DevotedToDiscus]

Hi,

I've always used blackboard paint.

It's thick and very matt, so makes a great background. You need a few coats, just like you will with any paint but it dries pretty quick, and it's easy to clean the brushes.


What ever paint you decide to use, remember to clean the back of the tank first - either using vinegar or vodka. The benefit of vodka is that then you have the vodka bottle out so you can "test" it to make sure it's not gone off.

Steve

Nooooooooo.........Don't waste the vodka