Best way to color the back wall of a tank

[Richard_Dicosimo]

Hey guys.

I'm wondering what is the best way to make the back of my tank black? I have heard of some people doing vynl on the back and I have heard of some people painting it.

Anyone have any thoughts or preferred methods? I'm hosting thinking a black background on a back all that us kept clean will really make the critters pop out.

[target]

I used krylon fusion spray paint. spray on multiple thin coats until its fully covered. I've heard of people using plastidip which I plan to try for my next tank.

[Skimmer Juice]

acrylic sheet , I prefer white as it accents the lighting nicely . That is as long as your tank is empty . Vinyl works but you have to use outside so you still see your overflows . Acrylic you can use in the tank and cover the entire wall . :biggrin:

[Richard_Dicosimo]

I think I like the idea of plastidip. I hadn't even thought of that.

I like the idea of black acrylic on the whole back wall... that is until you're trying to scrape coraline and algae off of it.

I was thinking it might be ok to be able to see into the overflow. Let's me see that its clean and clear. Down the road I could always just cut a piece of black acrylic to go in the overflow if I didnt like seeing into it. Although then you would still see where the overflow attaches to the back of the tank and that probably would not look great.

[Skimmer Juice]

I use the tunze magnet cleaner its safe on acrylic :wink:

[Richard_Dicosimo]

I use the tunze magnet cleaner its safe on acrylic :wink:

How did you attach the acrylic to the back of the tank? I'm guessing it never gets removed from the tank?

[e46er]

I used some black spray paint I had lying around.
On every tank I’ve ever set up.

[DKoKoMan]

I have black vinyl on mine. That being said I’m sure any of the options suggested will give you the desired effect.

[duncangweller]

Krylon fusion many times. Works great and you can scrape it off if needed easily.

Plastic dip would be excellent too. Would peel off really easily if you needed it off, although you generally don't.

[Frogger]

I cover my back glass with coraline algae. I would be concerned about a spray on product inside the tank in case it chips in time.

[duncangweller]

I cover my back glass with coraline algae. I would be concerned about a spray on product inside the tank in case it chips in time.Just to clarify - you spray it (or roll it), on the outside, back of the tank.

I wouldn't spray anything on the inside either.

[DKoKoMan]

I cover my back glass with coraline algae. I would be concerned about a spray on product inside the tank in case it chips in time.

I have been trying to do this for some time, however my urchin likes to eat it off the back wall lol.

[smokinreefer]

I plastidipped the back of my previous tank.
I ran it for about 4+ years and it held up fine.

If I recall I pretty much used most of a can on the back of a standard 65. So that's about 6 sf. So I guess you could decently cover 8sf or maybe even 10sf with one can.

If I had purchased a tank that didn't have an option of having the back colored in some way, then I would do the plastidip method again.