Black out back

mia2175 · 05/19/2018, 04:49 PM

Hi I am new to the hobby, I spent so much time researching the insides workings of the tank and now that I have got my tank started I would prefer the back be black. Can I paint it or plasti dip it while its full? Every video I have watched the tanks are empty.

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Vinny Kreyling · 05/19/2018, 05:02 PM

It can be painted with water in it as long as there is no water on the glass.
Clean it good first.

Sacohen · 05/19/2018, 05:23 PM

Yeah you can paint the outside of the tank or glue or tape some black plastic paper like cabinet liner.

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mia2175 · 05/19/2018, 05:25 PM

Thank you guys! Much appreciated.

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water is wet · 05/19/2018, 05:43 PM

The only problem I see is that you have it so close to a wall that I'm not sure painting it will be an option now.

Good luck!

mia2175 · 05/19/2018, 05:45 PM

The stand is on tile and I am able slide it out a bit. So was hoping to just slide it out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by water is wet

The only problem I see is that you have it so close to a wall that I'm not sure painting it will be an option now.

Good luck!

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Sacohen · 05/19/2018, 05:46 PM

That’s where the shelf liner come into play.
Tape it all along the trim at the top and as much as the bottom as you can.

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Sacohen · 05/19/2018, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mia2175

The stand is on tile and I am able slide it out a bit. So was hoping to just slide it out.

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Sliding it with water in it is NOT a good idea.

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water is wet · 05/19/2018, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sacohen

Sliding it with water in it is NOT a good idea.

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Definitely not.

SorsCode · 05/21/2018, 11:56 AM

Random question, is that your Home Thermostat on the wall next to your tank?

If so, the salt creep will destroy it over time. It will screw up the sensor inside.

JTL · 05/21/2018, 01:10 PM

I have used plastidip in the past and it worked out very well, the only thing is that it will likely take more than one coat but it dries quick. Drain enough water to safely move the tank, maybe to the top of your rocks is enough.

mia2175 · 05/21/2018, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SorsCode

Random question, is that your Home Thermostat on the wall next to your tank?

If so, the salt creep will destroy it over time. It will screw up the sensor inside.

Thank you so much for pointing that out! I would never have known that. I will relocate thermostat to other side of wall.

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mia2175 · 05/21/2018, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTL

I have used plastidip in the past and it worked out very well, the only thing is that it will likely take more than one coat but it dries quick. Drain enough water to safely move the tank, maybe to the top of your rocks is enough.

Thanks I will try that, I'm prettt familiar with plasti dip on wheels and other car parts was hoping it would stick to glass well.

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Steve175 · 07/15/2018, 08:15 AM

I do not have access to the back of my tanks and I absolutely abhor the look of corraline on glass, so I have black and dark blue [choice is mood-dependent] acrylic inserts that I can exchange on the back inside the tank. I have a glass strip glued on the bottom [extending just above the sandbed] to insert the acrylic into. Easy to remove and 2 min to clean with either vinegar or muriatic acid. I have a rod with a brush that, if used weekly, would keep me from ever having to change them. Alas, I am lazy [the first of 12 steps]. As yours is already full, you could still do the same - fixating the acrylic with either a piece or two of LR, or a couple of small but powerful magnets in the top corners. Black magnets would be relatively invisible on black acrylic. I had mine cut at a local acrylic shop [which google was kind enough to locate for me].

05/19/2018, 04:49 PM	#1
mia2175 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 16	Black out back Hi I am new to the hobby, I spent so much time researching the insides workings of the tank and now that I have got my tank started I would prefer the back be black. Can I paint it or plasti dip it while its full? Every video I have watched the tanks are empty. Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

05/19/2018, 05:02 PM	#2
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	It can be painted with water in it as long as there is no water on the glass. Clean it good first. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

05/19/2018, 05:23 PM	#3
Sacohen Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 1,778	Yeah you can paint the outside of the tank or glue or tape some black plastic paper like cabinet liner. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Steve Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon Mixed Reef

05/19/2018, 05:46 PM	#7
Sacohen Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 1,778	That’s where the shelf liner come into play. Tape it all along the trim at the top and as much as the bottom as you can. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Steve Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon Mixed Reef

05/21/2018, 01:10 PM	#11
JTL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Venice Island, FL Posts: 2,532	I have used plastidip in the past and it worked out very well, the only thing is that it will likely take more than one coat but it dries quick. Drain enough water to safely move the tank, maybe to the top of your rocks is enough. __________________ John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+.

05/19/2018, 05:25 PM	#4
mia2175 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 16	Thank you guys! Much appreciated. Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

05/19/2018, 05:43 PM	#5
water is wet Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Angola, Indiana Posts: 235	The only problem I see is that you have it so close to a wall that I'm not sure painting it will be an option now. Good luck!

05/21/2018, 11:56 AM	#10
SorsCode Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 132	Random question, is that your Home Thermostat on the wall next to your tank? If so, the salt creep will destroy it over time. It will screw up the sensor inside.

07/15/2018, 08:15 AM	#14
Steve175 Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,186	I do not have access to the back of my tanks and I absolutely abhor the look of corraline on glass, so I have black and dark blue [choice is mood-dependent] acrylic inserts that I can exchange on the back inside the tank. I have a glass strip glued on the bottom [extending just above the sandbed] to insert the acrylic into. Easy to remove and 2 min to clean with either vinegar or muriatic acid. I have a rod with a brush that, if used weekly, would keep me from ever having to change them. Alas, I am lazy [the first of 12 steps]. As yours is already full, you could still do the same - fixating the acrylic with either a piece or two of LR, or a couple of small but powerful magnets in the top corners. Black magnets would be relatively invisible on black acrylic. I had mine cut at a local acrylic shop [which google was kind enough to locate for me]. __________________ Steve ---------------------------------- Current Tank Info: 2 separate 250G bowfront rimless ELOS tanks plumbed to 260G sump, 220G refugium, 220G frag, BK DeLuxe 300, 400W MH x4, closed loops, 3/4hp chiller x2, Phos reactor, Kalk reactor, Charcoal reactor, Ca reactor, 60G surge tanks, & a huge elec bill