How to attach black background to inside of tank?

[Miami Reef]

You know those roll on black backgrounds that people are supposed to tape to the back of their tank?

My tank has custom overflows that are permanently blue. Plus the back wall was painted blue from the outside and there’s no way to scrap it off because I don’t have access to the back.

My only option is to attach the background from the inside.

How can I do this?


A dream solution would be to find a paint that can go on the inside of the tank, but it sounds like that doesn’t exist based on what I’ve read.

 

[JGT]

Magnets.

 

[Miami Reef]

Hey. That’s Brilliant

 

[Miami Reef]

Wouldn’t the magnets look funny all over the back wall?

I am draining my tank and drying the wall. Changing the background was something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.

I was thinking of using super glue. Would that work?

 

[Reef - Tripp]

Look for the string of the copps tank he uses a plastic background that explains what they use in public aquariums.

 

[Reef - Tripp]

Monster Build - Finally showcasing my SPS monster... 1300 gallon display... 2000 gallon system... and many past displays

Hello Reef2reef! This thread is long overdue here at R2R… hop on for the ride. Many of you may have seen my systems on the “other board” and it’s about time I share here! I’ll post updates to this thread along the way… I’m a long time hard core hobbyist that got my first saltwater tank at age 11...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[JGT]

Wouldn’t the magnets look funny all over the back wall?

I am draining my tank and drying the wall. Changing the background was something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.

I was thinking of using super glue. Would that work?

It would but I like the magnets. Can remove to clean if need be or if you get tired of the black. Don't need many. Probably around 6. 3 across the top and 3 across the bottom just to keep it in place. Won't even see the bottom ones as they'll be behind your reef/corals. Since they are black you prob will hardly see the ones at the top and once they covered with coralline no one will ever know.

 

[JGT]

What can make this tricky is if you have cross bracing or a frame around the top of the tank. If you plan to leave it in then will just take some finessing in and since its flexible shouldn't be a prob. I was planning to do what's outlined by Reef-Tripp in the Copps build. Bought the product and then realized that once I get it in, I can never get it out again given that I have bracing and my reef will prohibit me from removing it. So decided to not go that route.

 

[littlebeard]

won't it just get covered with coralline algae?

 

[JGT]

Yes, but it depends on what you like. IMO, it looks nice and is less distracting if the background is a solid black or blue vs. covered with coralline. With this product, you simply remove it, scrape off the algae and return. Check out the link, you'll see what I'm talking about. Far easier, then having or trying to get behind your reef with a scraper and do it by hand.

 

[Miami Reef]

My tank has an acrylic slab smack on the middle of the top of the tank.

 

[Miami Reef]

I’m seriously considering black silicone on the inside. Or maybe I’ll squeeze through and scrap off the blue paint from the back.

 

[Miami Reef]

Does anyone know how to scrape paint off an acrylic back? Is there anything I can do to make this process easier

 

[Miami Reef]

I’m going to attempt to remove it from the back.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Look for the string of the copps tank he uses a plastic background that explains what they use in public aquariums.

Yeah, that's what I was going to bring up. He uses Kynar sheets and keeps a spare, when the background gets covered in coraline, he takes it out and replaces it with a spare. The dirty one gets cleaned in the driveway with muratic acid and waits for its turn.