re changing background any ideas

[ECFENCING]

I have a 92 corner that I recently set up. The back is painted a "marine" blue. I'm looking to change it to black.

Instead of scraping the paint off of the back and placing some window tint or something else on the back corners is there anything that I can do on the inside?



Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[pecan2phat]

You can go to an acrylic shop and have them cut you 2 exact black pieces that meet your measurements and see if they can miter the corner meet, if not no biggie.

Then you get a caulk gun and some 10 oz tubes of aquarium silicone and lay down squigly lines and well, you know the rest

This is how Oceanic did their old 58 gallon reef ready tanks.

 

[ECFENCING]

Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately there is water already in the tank and emptying the tank is not an option unless my wife is away for the weekend.

 

[pecan2phat]

Then youz gots no option Ernie :biglaugh:

 

[scumonkey]

you can try a thin piece of black acetate and press it up against the inside back
glass. If the glass is clean it should stick to it and the water pressure should hold it in place...
I stress the words clean,& should!

 

[ECFENCING]

Thanks Warren
Thanks Scumonkey I'll check out the black acetate

 

[NYreefNoob]

Backing

just use a razor blade to scrape old paint off and either re-paint it or get the static cling window tint. walmart sell's it

 

[ECFENCING]

NYReefNoob

Thanks. That's what I am going to do. Good thing I left some room behind the tank so that I could do it.

Any recommendations to make the process go smoother?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Any recommendations to make the process go smoother?

Use a new blade.

 

[ECFENCING]

New blade always helps.

Time to scrape away...

 

[NYreefNoob]

paint

if i remeber ill try and see what we use for stripping paint at work, but you should be able to use about any paint stripped, but have to be careful not to get it in tank, it's goopy so it isnt like it wil splash. buy a box of blade's to scrape with though

 

[ECFENCING]

NYReefNoob

Thanks. I used RockMiracle paint stripper once before and that's nasty stuff even when I used it outdoors.

The environmentally friendly stuff may be my best option but it will take a few times

 

[masterswimmer]

If you use any chemical solvent to expedite the process (which I DO NOT advocate), then make sure you shut off your skimmer and have excessive ventilation in the room. Remember, your skimmer is pulling room air into the chamber and mixing it with tank water. You don't want those fumes getting into your system.

 

[ECFENCING]

Russ

Good point. Was thinking of using ready strip and nothing like the Rock Miracle but good idea to shut the skimmer off.

 

[Davidl919]

What about pond foam that I saw on June's tank of the month on reef central. I'm thinking of getting it myself. It gave the tank a more natural look on the back but then I would think you would need your tank empty So scratch that... Sorry.

 

[ECFENCING]

David

Thanks for the post. Was thinking about the pond foam as well.

It's either scrape the paint or live with the blue background.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

for mine i couldnt use a paint stripper cause the sump is right behind the tank and below it... i used a heat gun and alot of razor blades.. very long process but it worked...

 

[ECFENCING]

Tony: Thanks.

 

[ECFENCING]

I should add: If only I could remove my 92 which has been a constant battle with the Mrs.

I've been trying to convince her unsuccessfully to break this tank down. Originally the 92 was supposed to go in my basement and a 75 starfire cube was supposed to go in the living room.

Now the 75 cube is relegated to the basement.

 

[PalmTree]

I would avoid any chemical paint thinners because who knows what type of affect it may have on the silicone holding the glass together!