Can any pros tell me...

[G-1000]

When it comes to painting the back, bottom and perhaps sides of a tank,

1) what paint do you use?
2) how many coats of paint?
3) does the paint come off with the suction caps of the filter assembly etc?
4) give me some info if possible

thanks

G

[Mulisha]

Hey G i think everyone does a few coats 3 i think and it's a light bluish colour and if u scratch the the tank on the side the paint will come off and when u said suction caps i painted just the outside of my tank a few times not the inside ..


HTH :lol:

[Ben]

I am far from bieng a pro! But will give you a few answers and suggestions! :wink:


1) what paint do you use?

An oil based paint is best as it will adhere to the glass a lot better than cheap acrylics.....in saying that i have used many paints and found a good quality acrylic paint does the job very well. Try and buy one of those brands that is interior and is good for children, like where they use crayons and textures on the wall and it comes off easily :)

how many coats of paint?

3 nice even coats rolled on with a paint roller is perfect!


3) does the paint come off with the suction caps of the filter assembly etc?

I have found that if a tank is painted the suction cap will not suck onto the outside glass..



4) give me some info if possible

Use a roller
*A light green blue colour looks best
*paint the bottom of the tank either the same colour or an off white, this will stop reflection.

hope this helps :wink:

Ben

[G-1000]

OK

Painting is then not an option because the filters etc I will be putting in will have heaps of suction caps.

Now - as far as other ways e.g contact ....

Or some other kind of background..

I dont want to have like, a paper background because it looks crap as soon as water gets splashed on it..

Any further suggestions ?

G

[Ben]

This will be a bit $$ but one of those photographed aquarium back grounds would look nice....

just an idea....

Ben

[dreamer]

dont tell me you thinking of painting the inside? usually there isnt any suction caps on the outside

[G-1000]

Nah I am not going to paint it at all

G

[Mattzilla]

i do 3 coats of high gloss enamle paint....maldives blue if i rememebr correctly.

i use a roller...just cheap ones from the $2 shop so that i can just throw the roller and tray away after each coat.

hth
matt

[G-1000]

Matt - do you find that your suction caps attach on to the bit that is painted ?


G

[dreamer]

people usually painted the OUTSIDE is there any reason you want to pain the inside?

[goldenpigeon]

G-1000 what we are trying to tell you is that if you paint the inside of the tank the paint will kill your fish or it will deteriorate because of water damage. therefore you paint the OUTSIDE of the tnak. as far as i know there are no filters or aquarium accesories the require suction caps on the OUTSIDE OF THE TANK.

HTH

[DR.V]

Hei ! I got a cannister filter that require suction caps on the outside of the tank.

Eheim cannister filter, the return outlet, the S like shaped required suction cap outside the tank so it wont move around.
Well thats what the manual says ...
But you can just not use them.

And oh yeah, you always paint the outside !!

[Mattzilla]

yeah suctions caps still stick to the pain but i am talking about the outside of the tank....NOT the inside. painting the outside of the tank looks fantastic. no need to pain inside. it can be done but it is with expensive latex paint i believe.

not worht the hastle

[G-1000]

Come on guys!

I am talking about the outside of the tank. I have two hydor canisters which each have 2 suction caps that go OUTSIDE i.e on the back of the tank.

I wouldnt be stupid enough to try painting the inside.

So my question is - will the paint come off with suction caps (and yes I am talking about the OUTSIDE).

G

[chris]

Sorry to but into this thread guys, I use normal backing from your LFS it is blue on the other side. :wink:
Chris

[G-1000]

Mate - no apologies needed!

How does the stuff stick onto the back of the tank ?

G

[mcloughlin2]

Mate - no apologies needed!

How does the stuff stick onto the back of the tank ?

G

I use some normal household sticky tape to put the backgrounds onto my tanks...i just put some on the top and bottom of each end of the background and stick it on the glass


This will be a bit $$ but one of those photographed aquarium back grounds would look nice....

just an idea....

Ben

Bought some light blue background like this today for $3.50/foot..so it all depends on where u go to as how much u pay for it..

Also why not just leave a bit of the back of the tank for the suction caps? just paint the rest of the tank and just leace a space for them...

HTH,

Sam :D

[Ben]

LOL Grant!

I had faith in you mate!

i knew what you were talking about.

Ben

[DR.V]

I am talking about the outside of the tank. I have two hydor canisters which each have 2 suction caps that go OUTSIDE i.e on the back of the tank.
G

Yeah this is what i meant too !! You guys never had this before ??
I thought most cannister uses suction caps outside the tank ....

G , yeah suctions caps still stick to the paint ^^

[Merrilyn]

Also why not just leave a bit of the back of the tank for the suction caps? just paint the rest of the tank and just leace a space for them...

HTH,

Sam :D

Well said Sam. Sometimes the simple solutions are the best LOL :P