Tank Background

[DeeCee]

OK, I'm playing with tanks & have an idea I'd like to try out. Thought I'd better post it
here first though - in case someone else has already tried it and had it fail miserably!
(I don't have a problem with making mistakes, I just have a problem with making mistakes that
I could have avoided easily)

My idea is that instead of just getting a normal tank background, or painting it a solid color like most discus peeps do, that
I'd try something new & paint the back in a "stained glass" kind of look. Obviously, I will paint the outside of the tank, not the inside! I was thinking that when I'm done, I may put some low-watt light behind it somehow, so that you get a cool effect.

Anyone ever tried it? Any suggestions?

DC

 

[maddog10]

Never actually tried, but it sounds kinda cool. If you don't like it you can always paint it a solid color.

My guess is that it would be easier to do with spray paint, very light coats to get the transparency (or lack of) that you want.

 

[DeeCee]

Well, I spray-painted tank backs before (once with some of that granite paint, turned out kinda cool) but I was really going for a different look this time. One thing I did is pick up a "stained glass coloring book" of aquarium fishes today at work. Right now, I'm cutting out some of the pictures of plants & fish, and taping them to the inside of the tank.

What I'm planning on doing after that is using Liquid Leading to outline whatever designs I like in plants & fish, then I can paint them in later. I have no clue what it will turn out like. If it turns out badly, I can always blade it and spray paint it from there! :wacko:

DC

 

[maddog10]

I was saying to use the spray paint because you could do light coats that just gave a hint of color in some spots and could be darker (thicker) in others. Would of course have to mask and re-mask areas when you were painting with different colors.

Could just get colored glass or plastic and lightly glue them on the back of the tank as well, kind of like a jigsaw puzzle.

 

[animicrazy]

Sounds like a neat idea. I was thinking about painting rock like scenes on the back of my African tanks and root like scenes on my wild discus tanks. Haven't got around to it yet so do it and post some pics!

p.

 

[SubMariner]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DeeCee @ Apr 10 2008, 09:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Well, I spray-painted tank backs before (once with some of that granite paint, turned out kinda cool) but I was really going for a different look this time. One thing I did is pick up a "stained glass coloring book" of aquarium fishes today at work. Right now, I'm cutting out some of the pictures of plants & fish, and taping them to the inside of the tank.

What I'm planning on doing after that is using Liquid Leading to outline whatever designs I like in plants & fish, then I can paint them in later. I have no clue what it will turn out like. If it turns out badly, I can always blade it and spray paint it from there! :wacko:

DC[/b]

Sounds good Donna.

Please take pictures when you're done, OK.

 

[marge618]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SubMariner @ Apr 11 2008, 09:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DeeCee @ Apr 10 2008, 09:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, I spray-painted tank backs before (once with some of that granite paint, turned out kinda cool) but I was really going for a different look this time. One thing I did is pick up a "stained glass coloring book" of aquarium fishes today at work. Right now, I'm cutting out some of the pictures of plants & fish, and taping them to the inside of the tank.

What I'm planning on doing after that is using Liquid Leading to outline whatever designs I like in plants & fish, then I can paint them in later. I have no clue what it will turn out like. If it turns out badly, I can always blade it and spray paint it from there! :wacko:

DC[/b]

Sounds good Donna.

Please take pictures when you're done, OK.
[/b][/quote]

Yup, it sounds like fun. Bet you could find some stained glass pics made of adhesive plastic stuff...and put them on the back of the tank first... to try out the effect. But then, I am always looking for a quicker way to try things out. I have never seen a stained glass effect tank background.

Later,
Marge

 

[Sonny Disposition]

I was thinking about getting some black or navy blue posterboard and duct taping it to the back of my 55 gallon long. Anyone ever tried that?

 

[maddog10]

My tank backs are either clear, painted black, use black foam board (best and easiest) or use black poster board. Of course that means all my tanks look the same.

 

[DeeCee]

LOL, I DID try posterboard once upon a time. Worked fine til I got it all wet. I HAVE been known to get anything (and anyone) near me soaked when doing water changes.

I'll play around with the stained glass paint on it some this weekend. One downside I thought of is that now I'll have to actually scrape the algae off of the back of the tank, instead of just the front! HA! :smashfreakB: :smashfreakB: :smashfreakB:

or just stock up on ancistrus.......... heh heh heh

DC

 

[DeeCee]

OK, I'm thinking that it might be a better idea to get a sheet of acrylic cut, paint that, and then attach it to the rear of the tank.
That gives me two benefits:
1) if it turns out looking like an experiment gone horribly wrong, I can throw it away & no one will ever know.
2) I don't have to turn the tank on it's side to paint it - which means
3) I can fill it up with water and put my FISH into it!

There's a Home Depot near here I think. Maybe I'll have to hit them tomorrow & get some acrylic.

DC

 

[marge618]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DeeCee @ Apr 12 2008, 06:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

OK, I'm thinking that it might be a better idea to get a sheet of acrylic cut, paint that, and then attach it to the rear of the tank.
That gives me two benefits:
1) if it turns out looking like an experiment gone horribly wrong, I can throw it away & no one will ever know.
2) I don't have to turn the tank on it's side to paint it - which means
3) I can fill it up with water and put my FISH into it!

There's a Home Depot near here I think. Maybe I'll have to hit them tomorrow & get some acrylic.

DC[/b]

I really like this approach. Still keeps it creative. Then, too, you can discard the first....second.. etc attempts until you get what you really want... fish still in the tank.

Also, missed you at the CCA this evening.

Later,
Marge

 

[DeeCee]

Thanks Marge,

I missed seeing all of you this month as well! Im planning on making the May meeting though!

Well, I DID get some real lightweight acrylic tonight, had to get 3 small sheets & will have to mount them
side by side. Will probably make it a bit more difficult, but then again, it may just make it easier!

DC

 

[DeeCee]

Okie Dokie, the painting is FINISHED. the background is UP, the tank is running and the fish and some gravel were tossed in today too! I don't have it lookin' pretty yet - that's gonna take some doing.

I need more gravel and rocks and logs and plants and ohhhhhhhhh boy. Anyone have extra that isn't pricey?

Once the dust settles a bit though, I'll take a picture of it so you can see what the background turned out like anyway.

DeeCee

 

[maddog10]

I have plenty of rocks, you just have to come by and pick them out.

 

[phishphorphun]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Once the dust settles a bit though, I'll take a picture of it so you can see what the background turned out like anyway.[/b]

Hey Donna, can't wait to see the results of all your work. :happy0180:

 

[longstocking]

Sounds like it will be really nice Donna.

Some of my tanks were painted this way.... but I just wanted it to look like you were diving in the tanks with variated colors of blue... like you are going down a line. Can't wait to see it.

 

[DeeCee]

Alright, I took a few shots tonight. Keep in mind a few things:

1) I'm using my old Kodak again these days!
2) Water & fish were just added yesterday
3) The tank isn't prettied up with rocks etc yet
4) I sure ain't no artist!

This was just for fun, and I have to admit, it was fun doing it!

DeeCee


Here's the tank with the main lights on:

Here it is with the tank lights off, and some dorky Christmas lights behind it to show off the stained glass. I still need to attach the background better and get better lights!

 

[Spine]

Wow! Dee Cee,
I don't know how long it took to finish that but it is worth the wait. I think you could show a piece like that anywhere in the house.

The lights aren't too dorky, I guess you're looking for something that spreads more light over the entire piece, for a more uniform display maybe?

I like it a lot, I give you two pats on the back, job well done.

 

[animicrazy]

Ditto on the Great Job!! Seems like kind of a 3D effect - really cool!

P.