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back drops?
- Thread starter ryanpal
- Start date
We use that printed mylar (or vinyl?) film you get from the LFS. It's the stuff that's on a roll and can be cut to length. Typically they have pics of FW plants or something. The one we picked was blue on one side and black on the other. We just taped it to the back of the tank with the black side showing. It works really well, IMO.
I sprayed the back of a 55 with a light blue color. I taped everything out and sealed the top so no overspray could get inside the tank.. Two coats and it came out really nice!! i originally tried taping a background on but any water that got behind left annoying bubbles.. so thats when i decided to spray it when i moved and got a new 55..
Blue Latex paint
You can take it off with a razor blade without any damage, if that's what you're worried about.
You can take it off with a razor blade without any damage, if that's what you're worried about.
I used to use that background where one side is blue/black - but taping it to the tank was aggravating (the salt spray can be messy).
I then tried some kind of material where one side is "sticky" and you smooth it out on the tank...but we got a few bubbles in there.
The last time I tried - I went with the spray paint on the back....I used Rust-Oleum american accents smooth satin black finish....you can get a 12oz can at any home depot/lowes for like $5.
honestly though - I would agree with davek, as after a few months the entire back will be covered by algae - and your LR will be covering most of the back anyway. I think though the background helps if you are running any hob equipment.
I then tried some kind of material where one side is "sticky" and you smooth it out on the tank...but we got a few bubbles in there.
The last time I tried - I went with the spray paint on the back....I used Rust-Oleum american accents smooth satin black finish....you can get a 12oz can at any home depot/lowes for like $5.
honestly though - I would agree with davek, as after a few months the entire back will be covered by algae - and your LR will be covering most of the back anyway. I think though the background helps if you are running any hob equipment.
FWIW I used a sponge roller and Rustoleum high gloss black paint. The tank was already in the room it was staying in and I wanted to avoid overspray getting all over the place. It worked great for me, it did take about 3 coats to get it totally even though.
I painted the back of my 120 with spraypaint. Two coats and took the proper precautions not to let the paint inside the tank or on the sides of the outside.
C
concept3
Guest
No backdrop here with the new tank, but as the coralline algae started proliferating on the back glass, I threw a black one on from the LFS. Key thing is to tape the top plastic with wide tape to prevent any water going in between the glass and the plastic to prevent bubbles.
This was how it looked like in March:
This was how it looked like in March:
I went the windo tint route. There were a couple of different grades so I picked the darkest one. Looks fine to me.
I'm going to be putting together a FOWLR tank soon and this weekend I'm going to do the backing. Funny I found this thread 
Doing Vinyl Signs, I have a good sized roll of the Blue Material... probably the same stuff you buy at the LFS. If there is enough interest, I'll see how much I got left and maybe I can bring a roll up to the meeting on the 19th and you guys can have it. I used it on one job and it's been sitting not getting used so I'd rather see it go to use. Maybe I'll put it on my tank this weekend and post some pics...
I can also bring some Application Fluid(dear god don't use soapy water - Phosphorus breaks down the adhesive) to make installing it easier
** EDIT ** I just checked and I have a little left after what I need for the tank. Maybe enought for a smaller tank or two. If anyone's interested in some, I can probably pick up a roll to bring up. Just need to know the height of the glass. I usually get them in 24" rolls... Paneling it for taller tanks isn't a great idea I don't think...
I do sandblasting on glass and I've been toying with the idea of etching the back of a tank for sometime now. I always thought that would make a really COOL backdrop!! Anyone ever seen that before?
Doing Vinyl Signs, I have a good sized roll of the Blue Material... probably the same stuff you buy at the LFS. If there is enough interest, I'll see how much I got left and maybe I can bring a roll up to the meeting on the 19th and you guys can have it. I used it on one job and it's been sitting not getting used so I'd rather see it go to use. Maybe I'll put it on my tank this weekend and post some pics...
I can also bring some Application Fluid(dear god don't use soapy water - Phosphorus breaks down the adhesive) to make installing it easier
** EDIT ** I just checked and I have a little left after what I need for the tank. Maybe enought for a smaller tank or two. If anyone's interested in some, I can probably pick up a roll to bring up. Just need to know the height of the glass. I usually get them in 24" rolls... Paneling it for taller tanks isn't a great idea I don't think...
I do sandblasting on glass and I've been toying with the idea of etching the back of a tank for sometime now. I always thought that would make a really COOL backdrop!! Anyone ever seen that before?
I had no backdrop for a while, then recently put in black and thanks to the coraline algae, any bubbles between my backdrop and glass are nicely hidden.
Provided I had a reef ready tank and could hide all the inner-workings of the tank, I would prefer no backdrop and no backwall lined with coraline.
Provided I had a reef ready tank and could hide all the inner-workings of the tank, I would prefer no backdrop and no backwall lined with coraline.
I use a background called Ocean visions or something like that. It is basically the same type of adhesive backed vinyl used for signs and stickers. It looks great, like the back of the tank is colored acrylic.
Take care,
Tina
PS - I bought this background at That Pet Place, but there are probably other places that have something similar.
Take care,
Tina
PS - I bought this background at That Pet Place, but there are probably other places that have something similar.