chimera Posted July 18, 2004 Report Share Posted July 18, 2004 What's a good colour for this? I read on this site oxford blue turned out nice. My tank is in the lounge wall and backs onto a small room (which is dark - even during the day) so painting the back of the tank is not a necessity for me but Im considering it as it might look more effective plus hide some plumbing. Thoughts? Pies - you did this on your frag tank, how did it turn out? Would you do it for your new tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted July 18, 2004 Report Share Posted July 18, 2004 I think painting the back of the tank is extra hassle and not necessary...I only even have some backing paper loosely taped on the back of a couple tanks. BUT, I think a medium-dark blue looks best. IMO black looks a bit unnatural(Admitedly more natural than a bunch of plumbing) but odds are you're going to have most of the background covered with rock anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted July 18, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2004 hassle and cost is not an issue. want to make it look better. i agree medium/dark blue looks best but c'mon ira admit it, backing paper is a pain in the arse and looks ugly, does this look familiar? Appreciate the feedback though, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted July 18, 2004 Report Share Posted July 18, 2004 I didn't say backing paper looked good, I just said I don't really give a damn. That's why that one looks so bad, I haven't touched it in about 3 years. Other than knocking it around while moving hoses, the tank, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted July 18, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2004 of course. well im after something that DOES look good, hence the post. I suggest paint as its permanant. I guess the type of paint has to be one that sticks to glass and is ok with salt water! What colour is everyones preferred choice? Im sticking with oxford blue at the moment... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted July 18, 2004 Report Share Posted July 18, 2004 I have painted the back of about 10 tanks now. Use spray paint, works fine. Tip - Make sure the back of the tank is spotless clean, and sprayapint on evenly. Colour. This is definiatly one for personal preference. My big tank is blue (marine blue actually) and the frag growout tank is black. There is little doubt in my mind that the blue looks 10x better. My new tank will be blue. This is a problem for me, as I will need to buy some blue perspecs to get the overflow made (I can get black perspecs for free), but its worth the hastle. YMMV. Backing paper looks like, well, backing paper and I am not sure if its worse than having nothing at all. As for it being a hastle (Ira) it only takes 10 mins to do (1 day to dry) and then you never have to do it again. If you are planing a tank then I don't see it being a problem. Backing papaer is something you see with tanks that people setup and a hurry and have tried to retro-fit somethign after they realise they should have done something about it. I'll say it again for those who missed it: Do it once, do it right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetskisteve Posted July 19, 2004 Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 I cant remember what color vinyl i stuck on my tank as i cant see it due to all the coraline growth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucid Posted July 19, 2004 Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 mine is a freshwater setup but I have light blue on my tanks. see pics below sometimes it's easier to see the colours for yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted July 19, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 cheers, looks good but i might do darker. was that a specific or named light blue colour or just "light blue?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted July 19, 2004 Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 I like a dark blue (RGB 0, 51, 204) myself and spray painting the outside is easiest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted July 19, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 gotta pic caryl?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kim Posted July 19, 2004 Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 we use black board paint or spray cans, i find black is better because it gives you depth, if you look at a tank with black on it you think the tank is bigger, blue brings the back of the tank closer to you, one side of my shop has the back of the tanks black and the other side of the shop has blue backed tanks and everyone thinks the black backed tanks are bigger. thats why black is best and it doesnt show algae as bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted July 19, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 thanks for the tips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted July 19, 2004 Report Share Posted July 19, 2004 Black vs. blue. As a diver, the ocean is only black at night time, other than that its blue, bright blue (check my Fiji underwater photos). Black just doesn't look right, very unatural, very garish. Black shows algae and everything else 10x worse than blue, but growth on the glass is in-evitable. I have a tank in both at the moment (in fact I have 2 blacks and 1 blue) and there is little doubt the blue looks much nicer. My freshwater is black however, which looks good, and I would always paint the back of a freshwater tank black (or very dark green). Pies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted July 21, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2004 This is the exact colour blue that I like (it's 'rainman mates 8 footer') Anyone know what colour blue this is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted July 21, 2004 Report Share Posted July 21, 2004 Colour. This is definiatly one for personal preference. My big tank is blue (marine blue actually) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted July 21, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2004 in other words this colour tank is the same as your tank, marine blue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetskisteve Posted July 22, 2004 Report Share Posted July 22, 2004 BINGO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted July 22, 2004 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2004 it was meant as subtle sarcasm. how was i supposed to know that pies tank colour and this tanks colour were the same? :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted August 19, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2004 ba-dum-de-dum-de-bump.... actually, i have opted against painting the back of the tank. the room behind will be dark anyway.... although im still debating whether i paint it blue to give a nicer effect,... but then i dont want to make it look artificial... someone make up my mind for me!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetskisteve Posted August 19, 2004 Report Share Posted August 19, 2004 PAINT IT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianemone Posted August 19, 2004 Report Share Posted August 19, 2004 my brother painted his it looks ok but its a bit light for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted August 19, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2004 yes sir, steve sir! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicks Posted August 19, 2004 Report Share Posted August 19, 2004 Blue is good, mine was blue !! I just used some test pots, but it was a waste of time as coraline took over and now it is shades of pink and purple Anyone need any turbo grazers, I got 100"s Nicks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted August 19, 2004 Report Share Posted August 19, 2004 But have you seen the result when water gets between the paint and the glass?? Huge blisters peeling off, and if it is up against a wall, it's there for a long time. Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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