[Cich of it all]

I got sick of dealing with those backgrounds that come on a roll. I can never seem to get them to lay perfectly flat, and it's hard to keep water out from behind it. I remedied the latter by running clear tape along the top edge the whole length of the tank, but this results in the top inch or two of background to be pulled rearward due to the aquarium trim being thicker.

So, here's what I did:
I went to Menard's (semi-local home improvement mega-store) and purchased a sheet of 1/8" acrylic big enough to cover the back of the tank. I trimmed it so it fit PERFECTLY between the upper and lower trim strips on the tank. (this is important, otherwise you'll have a gap at the top edge.) Then I used Krylon Fusion primer for plastic and coated one side completely. When that was dry, I sprayed the panel with "stone creations" paint by Rustoleum. This stuff is great. It looks just like granite. Finally, I fit the panel between the upper and lower trim strips on the tank (on the outside BTW), and taped it in place. I ran clear wide tape all the way around the panel to ensure no water gets in between.

I couldn't be happier with the results. The back wall looks just like it's against a solid granite cliff. Total cost for a 125 gallon: $20. For the 90 gallon: $15. About the same price as those backgrounds on a roll, and WAY nicer looking.

 

[maxwell1295]

Where's the pic?

 

[Cich of it all]

...Coming soon.
Sorry, I'm in the process of rearranging all of my tanks right now and I haven't had a chance for pics yet.
See this:
http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=79

 

[prov356]

Great idea. :thumb: One of the best I've seen here in a while. I'm waiting for pics too.

 

[nick a]

You can also spray that style paint directly onto the tank and bypass the acrylic sheet altogether. I use it on all the bottoms of my non-substrated fry/juvie tanks.
Ansd have used it to simulate sand in painted on BGs.

 

[Cich of it all]

Wow, good idea painting the bottom like that. That never crossed my mind. It looks just like my background.
I do prefer the acrylic sheet though, mainly for the ability to change the background in the future, but also to make the tank easier to sell when I do my next big revamp. I seem to be in the habit (a bad habit if you ask my wife) of continually buying bigger tanks and selling off the smaller ones.

 

[Ape-Fish]

Great ideas! :thumb: I presume you painted the outside of the tank bottom Nick a?

 

[Cich of it all]

It looks like he painted the inside.

Here's a rough pic of the background, I'll have more once I get the tank fully setup.:

This was the "black granite" color. My 90 has the "gray stone" on it
I think this one has an outer space look to it.

 

[SYcichlid]

:thumb: Great idea guys..Can't wait to try this one first hand..

 

[aperry]

What a neat idea!

I may do this instead of paint the back of the tank! I'm getting soooo many great ideas from this site as I am getting ready to set up my tank.

Aperry

 

[Cich of it all]

May as well!
I don't think you'd be able to tell the difference between this and a tank with the back painted.

 

[aperry]

Could I use the Krylon Fusion Primer and the "Stone Creation" and do the same thing to the filter intakes so they would blend in with the background?

 

[Cich of it all]

Yeah that works too. I plan on doing that soon to mine.

 

[aperry]

Great. That answers the question to my other post on here about intakes. I also just read your review on the Aquael Unimax Pro Filters. Just when I think I know what filter to buy you throw me for a loop. It was going to be the Eheims, then the Marineland, and now this. Back to the drawing board. But when it's all said and done, I'll probably go with my original thought and go with the Eheims. But you never know.

 

[geoff_tropheus]

That is a awesome idea. Looks really nice!

 

[Cich of it all]

It's easier to find a good deal on an Eheim, plus I hear the parts for the Unimax are a pain to get. Maybe that'll help a bit.

 

[Ape-Fish]

So is it really safe then, to apply "stone creation" and "krylon fusion primer" to surfaces that go into the aquarium?

 

[douayang]

So is it really safe then, to apply "stone creation" and "krylon fusion primer" to surfaces that go into the aquarium?

Thanks for asking that. It's what I wanted to ask as well.

 

[Cich of it all]

Well, I know the krylon fusion is safe. I think the stone stuff will be fine as long as you let it dry for a few days. There was one post in this thread where the person sprayed the inside glass of his tank and it was fine.
Btw, for what its worth, I was a little off on the name of the paint. The Rustoleum stuff is called "American Accent Stone Spray" and the Krylon equivelent is called "Make it Stone"

 

[bibbs68]

I know the product is two part, the 'stone' spray and a clear sealer.

Would you use the clear sealer on objects being put in the water? It has some nasty ingredients.