Removeable black background?

ScottWV1 · 03-06-2002, 04:54 PM

I will apologize up front because I know this has been asked many times, but I was unable to find *detailed* info via "search"...

I am in the process of setting up a tank that is totally self-contained (meaning the display tank and the filtration is all enclosed in the same 55gal tank). What this allows me to do (if I wanted to) is to set the tank in the middle of a room so it can be viewable from 3 sides without any wires/plumbing/etc... from being visable from any angle...

Try to picture a 55 gal tank where I've blocked off 1/4 of the tank with 1/4" black acrylic and all the filtration (modified ecosystem setup) is hidden behind the black acrylic. The homemade cabinetry will cover all but the display portion of the tank.

For now I will position the tank in a corner, flat against the wall. I love black backgrounds, so that is my plan for the side of the tank that is up against the wall. I normally spray paint my tanks with cheap black paint, but since I don't want this to be permanent I'm looking for a cheap but effective way of 'blacking' the back of the tank...

I know black acrylic would be useful but expensive (IMO). I've heard people say they've bought contact paper, but I can't find black! I am looking to black the entire back of the tank so the 24x7 lighting in my 'sump' is not shining on the wall behind the tank.

Thx,
Scott

Rin · 03-06-2002, 05:29 PM

Go to to any automotive parts store and get Limo tint. 100%, if you can find it. But anything above 50% will probably work just fine.

Apply it according to the instructions. When you want to remove it, get a bottle of alcohol and a plastic scrapper.

organicreefer · 03-06-2002, 06:27 PM

dont they have those reversible blue on one side black on the other plastic sheets at youre lfs???

ScottWV1 · 03-07-2002, 06:52 PM

Rin - thanks for the reminder of using window tint. I'll check the yellow pages for tinting, or maybe even try PepBoys here...

Organic - I need to find a lfs... haven't really been to any yet. Don't remember them having it in the past (just those 'roll' backgrounds that look like a fake beach setting). Sounds like something with some sturdiness to it would work...

Just water tested the tank for the first time and it's great! Not flowing as much as I expected. I'm using a Mag7 with about 4' head. I thought 400 gph would flow through sump quite a bit faster..

Thanks again -
Scott

organicreefer · 03-07-2002, 10:00 PM

scott ,yes the same plastic rolls ,but one side is blue one side is black,any place that has fish stuff has it,petco etc.its the "easy way",other than painting that is

Evets · 03-10-2002, 12:25 AM

I've always been happy using a sheet of black PVC as a removable background. My local plastics dealer has it in 4'x8' sheets. I spent $11 for the 5'x2' section I needed. It gives me the benefits of acrylic for a more reasonable price. Also, it has a matte black finish rather than than polished, glossy finish in which black acrylic is often stocked. I believe it is an 1/8" thick, perhaps 3/16".
-Steve

**schrocat** · 03-20-2002, 12:15 PM

I bought several feet of black vinyl from a local custom sign company.

It cost 10 dollars.

Worked great.

ScottWV1 · 04-16-2002, 10:46 AM

thanks to all for your input!

Todd/Rin - I went with the limo tint and it worked like a champ! Thanks for the suggestion -

Scott

Rin · 04-16-2002, 12:20 PM

I'm glad it worked out for you.

03-06-2002, 04:54 PM	#1
ScottWV1 Citizen Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 122	Removeable black background? I will apologize up front because I know this has been asked many times, but I was unable to find detailed info via "search"... I am in the process of setting up a tank that is totally self-contained (meaning the display tank and the filtration is all enclosed in the same 55gal tank). What this allows me to do (if I wanted to) is to set the tank in the middle of a room so it can be viewable from 3 sides without any wires/plumbing/etc... from being visable from any angle... Try to picture a 55 gal tank where I've blocked off 1/4 of the tank with 1/4" black acrylic and all the filtration (modified ecosystem setup) is hidden behind the black acrylic. The homemade cabinetry will cover all but the display portion of the tank. For now I will position the tank in a corner, flat against the wall. I love black backgrounds, so that is my plan for the side of the tank that is up against the wall. I normally spray paint my tanks with cheap black paint, but since I don't want this to be permanent I'm looking for a cheap but effective way of 'blacking' the back of the tank... I know black acrylic would be useful but expensive (IMO). I've heard people say they've bought contact paper, but I can't find black! I am looking to black the entire back of the tank so the 24x7 lighting in my 'sump' is not shining on the wall behind the tank. Thx, Scott

03-06-2002, 05:29 PM	#2
Rin Mayor Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Leesburg, GA Posts: 774	Go to to any automotive parts store and get Limo tint. 100%, if you can find it. But anything above 50% will probably work just fine. Apply it according to the instructions. When you want to remove it, get a bottle of alcohol and a plastic scrapper. __________________ -Todd

03-20-2002, 12:15 PM	#7
schrocat Moderator Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Hilliard , Fl. Posts: 3,364	I bought several feet of black vinyl from a local custom sign company. It cost 10 dollars. Worked great. __________________ "One man's vulgarity is another man's lyric" -Justice John Marshall Harlan "Send Lawyers, Guns and Money." -WZ

04-16-2002, 10:46 AM	#8
ScottWV1 Citizen Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 122	Thanks! thanks to all for your input! Todd/Rin - I went with the limo tint and it worked like a champ! Thanks for the suggestion - Scott

04-16-2002, 12:20 PM	#9
Rin Mayor Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Leesburg, GA Posts: 774	I'm glad it worked out for you. __________________ -Todd

03-06-2002, 06:27 PM	#3
organicreefer Governor Join Date: May 2001 Location: Northern CA Posts: 2,171	dont they have those reversible blue on one side black on the other plastic sheets at youre lfs???

03-07-2002, 06:52 PM	#4
ScottWV1 Citizen Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 122	Rin - thanks for the reminder of using window tint. I'll check the yellow pages for tinting, or maybe even try PepBoys here... Organic - I need to find a lfs... haven't really been to any yet. Don't remember them having it in the past (just those 'roll' backgrounds that look like a fake beach setting). Sounds like something with some sturdiness to it would work... Just water tested the tank for the first time and it's great! Not flowing as much as I expected. I'm using a Mag7 with about 4' head. I thought 400 gph would flow through sump quite a bit faster.. Thanks again - Scott

03-07-2002, 10:00 PM	#5
organicreefer Governor Join Date: May 2001 Location: Northern CA Posts: 2,171	scott ,yes the same plastic rolls ,but one side is blue one side is black,any place that has fish stuff has it,petco etc.its the "easy way",other than painting that is

03-10-2002, 12:25 AM	#6
Evets Just Moved In Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 28	I've always been happy using a sheet of black PVC as a removable background. My local plastics dealer has it in 4'x8' sheets. I spent $11 for the 5'x2' section I needed. It gives me the benefits of acrylic for a more reasonable price. Also, it has a matte black finish rather than than polished, glossy finish in which black acrylic is often stocked. I believe it is an 1/8" thick, perhaps 3/16". -Steve

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