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how do you paint the back of a fish tank?

Discussion in 'Aquarium Equipment & Decor' started by California Cowgirl, Jul 7, 2009.

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  1. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    Painting The Back Of A Fish Tank
    How do you do this? I Want to do this when i get my new tank before i set it up but no idea if there is any special paint or spray that you need in order to do this? Oh yea, i plan to paint it black.
     
    California Cowgirl, Jul 7, 2009
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  2. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Re: Painting The Back Of A Fish Tank

    you can use Krylon acrylic Spray Paint I've read.
    Also, you can use FLAT paint.
    Just be sure to tape off the areas you don't want paint (especially the open top)
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jul 7, 2009
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  3. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Re: Painting The Back Of A Fish Tank

    if you search paint background you'll find a few articles that touch on it.

    You'll need to do several coats and allow them to dry in between.
    Shine a flashlight through the back of the tank and look through the front..if you can see the light come through then you need to go over it again.

    Even Strokes/sprays from several inches back.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jul 7, 2009
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  4. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    Re: Painting The Back Of A Fish Tank

    ok, i think that's all i pretty much needed to know :) also where would you get the paint, like any ol paint store?
     
    California Cowgirl, Jul 7, 2009
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  5. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Re: Painting The Back Of A Fish Tank

    yup, Wal-mart carries Krylon Fusion in lots of colors.
    They have a crystal black and a gorgeous light saltwater blue looking color.

    I've heard with fusion you can even use it on your filter intakes to make everything match?...though I've never tried myself (couldn't handle the smell with the asthma).
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jul 7, 2009
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  6. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    Re: Painting The Back Of A Fish Tank

    i don't think i'd need it on the filter anyways :) normally i wouldn't want to paint the back of a tank in case of bad scratches, then i can just turn the tank around, but with a bowfront, i guess it won't matter :)
     
    California Cowgirl, Jul 7, 2009
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  7. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Re: Painting The Back Of A Fish Tank

    Paint, showerboard (melamine board), shower curtain, plastic banquet tablecloth ($1 tree), fabric from somewhere such as Linens N things, tablecloth, Cork Board, project board, a laminated photo/picture, contact paper, project board (foam kind works great), placemat, etc

    All will work for a background...some more unique than others of course!
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jul 7, 2009
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  8. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    Re: Painting The Back Of A Fish Tank

    i have a black cardboard paper on my 20 gallon that's taped i have problems with wwater dripping in front of the paper, and holes being torn in the paper, so that's why i thought of painting the new tank, but i will look into the other ideas as well :)
     
    California Cowgirl, Jul 7, 2009
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  9. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Re: Painting The Back Of A Fish Tank

    okie dokie.
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jul 7, 2009
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  10. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    Re: Painting The Back Of A Fish Tank

    gah i can't wait for my new tank :DDDD
     
    California Cowgirl, Jul 7, 2009
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  11. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Re: Painting The Back Of A Fish Tank

    Lol, that was me finding a new spot for my 10g...happy as a clam..until I hit the checkout and saw the total adding up quickly. Haha!
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jul 7, 2009
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  12. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    Re: Painting The Back Of A Fish Tank

    haha lol and you only have a freswhater :) this saltwater/reef setup is going to cost me big bucks
     
    California Cowgirl, Jul 7, 2009
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  13. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Re: Painting The Back Of A Fish Tank

    I know,,been there...done that...got allergic...and sold it off for next to nothing. <--is even worse!
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jul 7, 2009
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  14. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    Re: Painting The Back Of A Fish Tank

    yea, i can't imagine selling it for next to nothing, especially now that i'm starting into sw, before i knew it was expensive and all, but not this expensive and i'm still doing it :) And that's also why i want to keep track on how much i spend on it cause when i leave home, i don't think my parent's would want to take care of it, so when i eventually sell it hopfully i could get like half of the money back or something
     
    California Cowgirl, Jul 7, 2009
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  15. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Re: Painting The Back Of A Fish Tank

    Good luck on that.
    I had no choice..I literally couldn't breathe when I got out of the hosp finally...was on oxygen and anxious to get rid of it to get off the oxygen. (nosebleeds and sore throat)
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jul 7, 2009
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  16. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    Re: Painting The Back Of A Fish Tank

    mannnn that's a crazy alergic reaction, so does that mean your alergic to the ocean, as that's saltwater
     
    California Cowgirl, Jul 7, 2009
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  17. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Re: Painting The Back Of A Fish Tank

    guess so, went years ago when I was a kid and ended up with a itchy rash that went away hours later...and a killer case of strep that landed me in the hosp from getting a mouthful of water?
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jul 7, 2009
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  18. California Cowgirl

    California Cowgirl Thread Starter New Member

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    Re: Painting The Back Of A Fish Tank

    Wow! That sucks
     
    California Cowgirl, Jul 8, 2009
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  19. MOD_Dawn

    MOD_Dawn Active Member

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    Re: Painting The Back Of A Fish Tank

    >agreed!
     
    MOD_Dawn, Jul 8, 2009
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  20. LemonDiscus

    LemonDiscus Active Member

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    Re: Painting The Back Of A Fish Tank

    You can use Latex brush paint too... Dont use any oil based paints as they wont stick!

    If you do use a brush it will take several coats... even with spray on paint it will take several coats (about 3-6)

    DONT try to get it all at one time.... paint a bit... let dry... paint over.. let dry... this will help make a good base coat because if you paint on wet paint or do 1 big coat... it will end up with a few see-thru areas...

    Its easy... take your time and dont worry about it! ;)
     
    LemonDiscus, Jul 8, 2009
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