RD. Posted September 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2005 Does it have any glare coming off of it? This tank is going to be across the room from 3 large outside windows, so I need something with almost zero glare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunl Posted September 25, 2005 Report Share Posted September 25, 2005 Black art paper. No glare if you get the unglossed kind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD. Posted September 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2005 My only concern with using paper products, was the issue of getting a bit of spillage on it from time to time. I don't think that art paper would look too good with water stains all over it. Felt would hold up fine to a bit of spillage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rahim101 Posted September 25, 2005 Report Share Posted September 25, 2005 I have to agree on the art paper. I use "painter touch" latex paint from Home Depot, USE A ROLLER TO APPLY several thin layers. Takes about 6-8 thin coats to get the effect that I like..... The paint comes in several colors, I prefer black backgrounds...the black come in 3 sheens, flat, semi-gloss and high gloss. I just bought a tin of semi-gloss to see what it would look like, I have used the high gloss on another tank with great results!!!!!! The High Gloss ends up looking just like the background that you can buy from LFS...VERY shiny!!! Mask off the areas that you dont want to get paint on!!!! I also like to put the regular aquarium backgrounds behind the paint to avoid getting scratches in the paint!!!!!! Works great for me!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunl Posted September 25, 2005 Report Share Posted September 25, 2005 I've used paper before on smaller tanks without issue. I guess you have to ask yourself.....how much water do you spill on the BACK of your tanks now? For me....I never did, always on the front. Plus, replaceable at a very cheap cost if you do.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nandopsis Posted September 25, 2005 Report Share Posted September 25, 2005 Rahim: Great idea about putting a covering over the paint for protection. Simple yet effective. :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rahim101 Posted September 25, 2005 Report Share Posted September 25, 2005 (edited) It's not the cost issue... It's easy to put paper and those other backgrounds on a new tank that is not filled and can be moved around...It's going to be very hard to move a 125 gallon tank filled with water to replace a wet paper background.....I like the paint as it a more permenant type background that can always be scraped if it is not wanted in the future... Also, I use all AC 500's on my tanks and there is always a little spillage when removing the media for cleaning!!!! Edited September 25, 2005 by rahim101 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD. Posted September 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2005 (edited) The only problem with paint is that I will most likely be setting this up when the temp outside is too cold to paint. I also want ZERO reflection out of the background, so that rules out anything that will reflect any amount of light. When I service my AC 500's, I always splash a small amount of water behind the tank. A very small amount, but nevertheless over time this would no doubt cause some unsightly discoloration. (and perhaps mold etc on the paper?) Felt is dirt cheap, and should do the trick, my only concern was how it would look along the outside edges on each side. Perhaps Rob can solve that issue with some wood trim on all 4 corner edges. Edited September 25, 2005 by RD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seajays Posted September 25, 2005 Report Share Posted September 25, 2005 RD , No Glare at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD. Posted September 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2005 Ok, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunl Posted September 25, 2005 Report Share Posted September 25, 2005 Neil, quick question: where do you get your PFS from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rahim101 Posted September 25, 2005 Report Share Posted September 25, 2005 As far as paint goes...use the "Flat" black paint...give VERY little reflection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD. Posted September 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2005 Darcy - Sun 'n Fun pools. It went up since the last time I bought it, $20 per 50# bag now, but it's still the closest thing to the 'real thing' that I've been able to find locally. I realize play sand is cheaper, but there's no way in hell that I'm ever going to use play sand in any of my tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seajays Posted September 25, 2005 Report Share Posted September 25, 2005 Rd, If you are ever in Edmonton you can get nice Quartz pool filter sand for $11.00 for a 100lbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD. Posted September 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2005 Thanks seajays, I know that PFS can be found cheaper, cost wasn't an issue, I wanted the Target brand PFS. I've yet to see anything that looks as natural as this brand of PFS. It's also very clean, and the grain size is perfect, and uniform throughout. In the grand scheme of things, the substrate cost was the least of my concerns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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