Best type of background paint?

[reefer1970]

I used a black paint last time that wrinkled in a few places but wasn't noticeable. I just moved my tank and while washing it, the paint peeled right off. What is the best type of black paint type/ brand?

[oosurfin]

i used black spray paint. matte Walmart brand and it worked great for the back of the 20g sump i just built

<a href="http://imgur.com/UDTRtki"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/UDTRtkih.jpg?1" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

[billdogg]

I use latex and a disposable foam roller to give it a few coats. If it later peels in places it's easy to touch up.

[OllieNZ]

I use sign writers exterior vinyl. Black spray paint seems quite popular.
I'd also wash the glass you're going to paint with isopropyl alcohol or acetone first to give the paint the best possible chance at adhesion

[mcgyvr]

Regular black rust oleum for me this time..
Used regular spray paint too in the past.. never had a problem..

As stated surface prep is very important for any paint/finish..

[fcmatt]

It seems many people here have not read that paint lowers par from your lighting. Let me find the write up

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/5/equipment

[oosurfin]

It seems many people here have not read that paint lowers par from your lighting. Let me find the write up

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/5/equipment

interesting stuff but how much real world application this has is up for debate. rock structure, algae, coast to coast over flow boxes or ghost/shadow overflows, power heads etc are all going to take up real estate block light. also those par readings are very close to the back wall. most corals will be up higher in the rear anyway vs. the sand bed so par readings will be elevated vs the averages they are stating. as i said, interesting, but people dont keep empty boxes of water ;)

[Mishri]

yeah, i also doubt the real world applications of those tests... most people test par after they have everything in that they'll be using. and as you said, most coral placement is higher up.. and the difference was only about 50 par from front to rear... I thought the testing with the reflector blacked out was kind of funny.. we all know how important the reflectors are for par... to black them out would have a huge negative effect.. no real need to test that imo.

so.. black/blue backgrounds likely don't have much of an impact.. and it looks a lot better than no background. I suppose you could use white or aluminum foil.. that should reflect some light... but I doubt your corals would benefit much from it, and I don't think it would look good.

[mcgyvr]

There is no doubting the effect that reflective surfaces have with light..
It can make a substantial difference..

Some of us are just rebels living on the edge... :rockon

[Misled]

I will be keeping my back glass clean on my new build. This will be the backround.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q68/jllndmb/jllndmb002/s-l1600_zps3n7kni9o.jpg (http://s133.photobucket.com/user/jllndmb/media/jllndmb002/s-l1600_zps3n7kni9o.jpg.html)

[OllieNZ]

I will be keeping my back glass clean on my new build. This will be the backround.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q68/jllndmb/jllndmb002/s-l1600_zps3n7kni9o.jpg (http://s133.photobucket.com/user/jllndmb/media/jllndmb002/s-l1600_zps3n7kni9o.jpg.html)
Sand and carpet nems only?

[Misled]

Sand and carpet nems only?

No, but you guys will understand when it comes together.

[OllieNZ]

No, but you guys will understand when it comes together.
Looking forward to seeing it :)

[PBAF]

I used black plastidip on one of my tanks, and it worked well. And if I get tired of it, I can just peel it off.

[McPuff]

I had to use a roll-on paint as the tank was already in the basement (520#) and I wasn't going to use spraypaint in the house. It took several coats because I must not have cleaned the glass well enough... so that can't be overstated. But it looks terrific now... and it will be easily removable if I ever need to remove it. Black, all the way.

[FullBoreReefer]

I'm a little different. But I do agree on the paint and prep. Since my tank is in wall and I access from the rear in my furnace/fish room, I just use black acrylic on the outside of the rear panel. The two pieces, (I have a center overflow, one piece on each side) just sit in place and Velcro against the rear panel, and then easily moved out of the way. I like to be able to view from the rear while doing maintenance and cleaning behind my rock structures. Plus it's not a view you see everyday and it's fun to peek back there every once in awhile and see corals that have grown around rocks or fully encrusted them. Something the average person never sees.

But, if paint is all you need, then prep is key!

[ReefsandGeeks]

I've heard that limo window tint works great for those who do maintenance from the back of the tank. Dark enough from the front to not see through, but with a reef tank, there is enough to be able to see through the back and do work.

[madweazl]

I've heard that limo window tint works great for those who do maintenance from the back of the tank. Dark enough from the front to not see through, but with a reef tank, there is enough to be able to see through the back and do work.

I used it on one tank and was pretty happy. Did have it peal in the corners but I imagine if if were installed better (or I used a better quality product) it would have been fine. Was really easy to work with though.

[sayitfast]

I used vehicle window tint... available in many colors and easy enough to peal off if you need to.

[reddtiger88]

A couple of coats of latex I used to match the doors in the room. Some type of dark blue.

[reefer1970]

I asked the paint guy at HD and was told that FLAT paint adheres the best to glass. Obviously looks glossy through the glass.