PDA

View Full Version : Background pics... please post them


spbk84
01/30/2011, 04:17 PM
Hello Everyone,

I have been doing some searching on peoples backgrounds but most of the posts are opinions with no pics.

I am about to set up a 92 gallon corner bow. It has a black stand and I am debating weather I should paint the background or just use a background I can stick to the back..

Any pics with information as to what type of paint or background used would be helpful.

I am scared the black will be way to gloomy.:hmm5:

dmastracchio
01/30/2011, 04:52 PM
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs771.ash1/166099_551423052381_76004184_32045446_2032334_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs049.snc6/167948_551423087311_76004184_32045448_26167_n.jpg

I used colorplace spray paint from walmart. About 90 cents a can. Bought 5 cans, used up 4 and a little of the 5th for touch up on my 180. Takes quite a few layers, as it doesn't stick well at first, but once it starts sticking on top of itself it went on good. I used the sun and light to make sure I didn't miss any spots.

Also, comes off very easy, my finger nail I can scratch it off so if you don't like it, scrape it off all you wasted was a few hours and 5 bucks. As long as it's not contacting any water and you let it dry doesn't matter what you use.

vorm
01/30/2011, 05:48 PM
Most people have either solid black or a deep blue, often painted on.

IMO, black doesn't really look gloomy, but it makes the colors in your tank really stand out and look bright because there is such a big contrast. Blue does so a bit less, but can create a look of depth and more natural background color.

I strongly considered scraping off the black paint on mine and replacing it with a deep blue color, but now I'm glad I didn't.

I personally think the stick on backgrounds with pictures of corals and stuff on them look cheesy and fake, but all of this just a matter of personal taste, and it's your tank, so do whatever you like best.

samdaman
01/30/2011, 05:54 PM
IMO Painted Black Background Looks good, here is my tank for reference:

http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz119/monsieursam/November%20tank%20photos/Reef1.jpg

http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz119/monsieursam/IMG_6259.jpg

If you plan to spray paint, I would recommend not using the .99 cans, use this one Krylon Fusion, it sticks good, becomes chip resistant. You would probably use 2 on your tank.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=krylon+fusion&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=7840994398262018341&ei=hfpFTYfeNoTGsAOD_oW2Cg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CFAQ8wIwBw#

suds1421
01/30/2011, 09:28 PM
I like the deep blue fading to black. Blue on top, black on the bottom.

brianp626
01/30/2011, 10:47 PM
Don't have any pics but I bought some vinyl sheets on ebay and used that. Worked great and didnt have to deal with paint.

Felixc395
01/30/2011, 11:14 PM
I'll try and post pics in a bit, but black is the way to go. Just flat black can be painted on the back outside panel. The stick on backgrounds usually don't look so hot. Once you go black, you never go back!

Here's a thread of mine; I debated over the same issue not too long ago.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1884959

FFalcons2258
01/31/2011, 08:52 AM
Heres my custom paint job my mom did. i think it adds something more to the tank then just black. when i put my light from my other tank on it all the colors in the background looked amazing!

http://reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=3780&pictureid=25814

HowieB
01/31/2011, 10:48 AM
My 120 has a black back. If I could do it all over again I'd go with blue. With a black back you can see every little thing floating in the tank.

thump9
01/31/2011, 12:18 PM
I dont have any pics ready to post but, i went with a dark blue background......it gives me the start contrast of a black but not so much that u can see all the imperfections in the water or the back glass itself. But what i did was instead of painting the back of the tank glass itself, i went to Lowes and purchased a sheet of acrylic (med thickness), cut it to size of the back panel and painted it and clipped it into place. I can, if i so choose, paint the other side black and whenever the urge arises, switch to black and never have to scrape and re-paint.

dublo8
01/31/2011, 01:11 PM
I would personally stay away from the vinyl sheets. It may seem like an easy option but it will cause you headache later on down the road. Eventually the stuff you use to stick it on will lose it's stickyness and it will start to peel. If you get water dripping down the back it will just get under the sheet and start to peel it up. Plus you can see any imperfections with the sheets. Krylon fusion is a good choice but I honestly prefer rustoleum painters touch. The can that says 2x the coverage. IMO it works better than the fusion.

rhactopia
01/31/2011, 01:19 PM
Heres my custom paint job my mom did. i think it adds something more to the tank then just black. when i put my light from my other tank on it all the colors in the background looked amazing!

http://reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=3780&pictureid=25814

Beautiful! I don't suppose she'd like to do ours, too... :fun2: I also like the idea of fading blue to black. Has anyone actually done this?

Bebo77
01/31/2011, 03:48 PM
black... or else you will have to clean the back also!

spbk84
01/31/2011, 07:32 PM
thanks for the posts everyone. I am going to go to the LFS and get a sample of both black and blue to see how they look. It sucks since its snowing outside i will have to do this in the house ><

Lwhite
02/03/2011, 11:09 PM
Not sure if you have already made the decision or not, but I went with a painted background from light to dark blue, and am really happy with how it looks.

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/h479/Lukeewh/Background-1.jpg

steelhead77
02/03/2011, 11:18 PM
IME, it really doesn't matter as the majority should be hidden by rock and the rest will be covered in coraline before too long.

imolaragazzo
02/03/2011, 11:25 PM
There was a cool shadowbox background I saw somewhere here not too long ago, try searching for that. It's a really cool idea and looks really neat.

Toddrtrex
02/03/2011, 11:53 PM
I prefer blue; I keep the back glass clean, so I am able to see it.

These are some older pictures I took of my 58 -- with blue and black (( a vinyl background ))

Black,

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/FTS5_18_08black.jpg

Blue (( the white balance was a bit off ))

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y189/toddrtrex/FTS25_18_08.jpg

Ky1duck
02/03/2011, 11:59 PM
i am a all black kinda guy.....to me it makes everything else stand out better.

http://i759.photobucket.com/albums/xx234/ky1duck_2010/005.jpg