Best ways to get the black background?

[MrsFish]

This is only my third post, so sorry for a silly question ...

I love the look of tanks with the deep black background, but have never been able to achieve it with the acrylic backgrounds commercially sold. There's always a place where it doesn't stay flat against the glass and it spoils the effect.

How do you achieve the completely black look without have to resort to paint. I don't mind painting, but it somehow spoils an expensive tank!

Any suggestions?

I'm just preparing my new tank - been waiting for 3 years - and am overwhelmed with the wonderful advise I've received. Hope I don't spoil it by asking a daft question!!

Mrs Fish

 

[Anonymous]

Paint is the best.

I have a black curtain behind my 300G glass tank. See pic on one of the last pages in my 300G tank thread. Link is below.

Louey

 

[MelanieF]

I painted mine... completely covered everything but the back w/ newspaper and masking tape and went to town w/ spraypaint. I think I used 3 coats but can't quite remember anymore...

To this day I don't regret it and if somehow I save the $$ to upgrade higher than 72 gallon, I'm sure another future reefer out there will still pay good money for it. (Especially if they planned on having to paint one themselves as it'll save them the effort.) :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

I used Krylon fusion on mine.

 

[Anonymous]

I have used black plastic garbage bags - they work well if you tape the top so so water does not get behind it.

 

[Rikko]

Paint is super easy to scrape off with a razor blade - don't let that deter you.

 

[Anonymous]

My most recent tank, a 150, I just slapped black rustoleum on with a cheepo paintbrush. From the front, absolutely perfect!

 

[Fishwise]

coat the black back with petroleum jelly then smooth it onto the tank

 

[Mihai]

Some guys sell special plastics that stick to everything (like the scotch tape). I have some black paper there with some double sided adhesive.
Looks good.

After a while the corraline algae kicked in and now it's almost invisible.

M.

 

[pwj1286]

I think Oceanic makes a black background that you stick on like a huge sticker.

I did mine the same way, but I have a light blue color.
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[Talonstorm]

The "sticker" background is made by Oceanvisions. I got mine from http://www.thatpetplace.com . It is awesome, looks just like an acrylic tank back. I will post pictures tonight if I get a chance. The only recommendation I have is to put it on before you set up the tank because it can be very difficult to put on afterwards!

Tina