paint for the outside of tanks

[RichE]

Should I use a oil based or latex based paint? Should it be indoor or outdoor?

I want to go blue so it keeps the tanks lighter when the lights are not on, but I have read that black is better for showing off the fish. These will be painted on 3 sides and these are all grow out tanks, no substrate

Thanks

Rich

[jcunningham0295]

I used rustoleum 2x coverage spray paint on mine.  Around 3.44 a can at Home Depot.

[lilscoots]

Go with your preference for color and use latex or spray, I used rustoleum 2x as well but it took multiple coats of spraying to get fully covered.  Using a roller and some latex paint is a good option if you can't easily move the tanks outside to spray.  Spraying indoors is not a great idea.

[RichE]

I have a gallon of a light grey but im not sure if that would be to light?

[Michael Zebrowski]

I have used Rustoleum Royal Blue, applied in 3 coats with a 3" roller, for best long-term results when in no hurry.  The Rustoleum 2X spray works great when you need the tank ready in 24 hours.

Have used Blue and Black; the black shows the colors the best, but the drawback is that every spot of dirt, algae, and scratches are very obvious and works against good photography.

The Royal Blue is dark enough to show off the fish's colors and does not show every spot or tank defect like the Black does, so is better for general viewing and photography.  Also, in a tank with a width of 18" or more, the Blue looks even darker when the light source is at the front.

I no longer paint the sides so the fish can interact with those in adjacent tanks.  This seems to benefit parental or strongly territorial fish.

Also, make sure you have identified the back of the tank BEFORE painting.  On some tanks, the top rim is narrower on the back to allow more versatility for hang-on-back filters and accessories.  (I learned that the hard way.)

[RichE]

Thanks Mike

Since most of the smaller tanks will be side by side, I should skip painting them and the tanks that are going side by side (long ways) just paint the backs and the end of the last tanks?

What about the bottom of said tanks,since I am going bare bottom (blair keep it clean LOL ) should I paint the bottom?

[lilscoots]

I would paint the bottoms a sandy/brown color as painting them too dark would just mirror the light from above.  I just put some cardboard under the tanks instead of painting.