LovelyChaos 869 Posted April 13, 2013 (edited) So after green water and dropsy plagued my tank, i've been working on a project to make my outdoor aquarium more appealing to look at. I decided to give it a background. I thought about what color it should be and decided on blue. But I didn't want it to be just blue. I considered my options and decided wood and poster board were not for me. The space and the placement of the tank limits what can fit behind it, especially now that it is on the stand against the wall. After ruling other options out, I was struck with an idea. This is what I came up with: So what could this be other than poster board and wood? Well, nothing. The background is painted ON my tank. It was fairly easy to paint when I got the hang of it. I used acrylic paint and sponge brushes. Paintbrush spread the paint too thin, making it easier to rub off while layering. Basically, I painted backwards. Thats what it looked like from behind, and on the front: I tested, and it's actually not that hard to get off. Where there are more layers might take a bit of elbow grease if I ever decide to change it, but warm water, soap, and lots of rubbing seems to do the trick. This is what it looked like before layering the blue. And I learned that a dollar store mop was my best friend for cleaning the glass and scraping algae off of the tank. It is the greatest invention ever. Add some plants, glass marbles, and fish, and you have one pretty tank: (BTW, my filters are set like that because they don't fit behind and the cord isn't long enough. And Tux likes it better like this. And with the space and new plants and toys, you've got some happy fish. Especially Tux. Tux is very happy. He's been up and around the tank instead of hanging out near the bottom. Thanks for reading. Edited April 13, 2013 by LovelyChaos 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mernany 3,708 Posted April 13, 2013 Wow I love it! and the whole thing is outdoor?? I wish I lived somewhere where that would be okay... It's very pretty! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LovelyChaos 869 Posted April 13, 2013 Wow I love it! and the whole thing is outdoor?? I wish I lived somewhere where that would be okay... It's very pretty! Yup, it's completely outdoors. It's been kind of a pain actually. But at least it looks pretty (; 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yafashelli 9,540 Posted April 13, 2013 Very well done!! Your tank is beautiful! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LovelyChaos 869 Posted April 13, 2013 Very well done!! Your tank is beautiful! Thank you :3 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drowsy 161 Posted April 13, 2013 I've been debating using acrylics on my tank, as well! I might just do that, now. Especially if I end up with indoor goldfish again. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sarajo 566 Posted April 13, 2013 It looks wonderful, charly!!! Come do mine 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LovelyChaos 869 Posted April 13, 2013 I've been debating using acrylics on my tank, as well! I might just do that, now. Especially if I end up with indoor goldfish again. Acrylics work well, just be sure to use sponge brushes instead of regular brushes. The paint rubs off really easily with paintbrushes. And use a roller if you plan on making a solid background behind everything (: It looks wonderful, charly!!! Come do mine Thanks (: I would, but it took a really long time to do! I had to wait days between layers to make sure none would rub away. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JamieMonster 562 Posted April 13, 2013 Very cute, Charly! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LovelyChaos 869 Posted April 13, 2013 Nice Thanks! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koko 14,340 Posted April 13, 2013 Thats really cool hun 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fantailfan1 26,742 Posted April 13, 2013 You're gonna have to change your name to TalentedChaos!! Very nice Charly! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoldenSpoiledRotten 6,786 Posted April 13, 2013 Too cute!! Wonderful job! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smegypsiren 1,315 Posted April 13, 2013 No mermaids? Dang Toaster that is so super cute and creative! I love it! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LovelyChaos 869 Posted April 13, 2013 Thanks guys! (; You're gonna have to change your name to TalentedChaos!! Very nice Charly! The talent runs in my blood (; I am the talented lovelychaos! Thanks! No mermaids? Dang Toaster that is so super cute and creative! I love it! No mermaids! Too complicated! Thanks love (; 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stratt14goldies 962 Posted April 13, 2013 I love the new look 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GreenTea 741 Posted April 13, 2013 That looks really cool. nice job. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dnalex 13,633 Posted April 13, 2013 That's really pretty, Charly! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quasi 185 Posted April 13, 2013 Awesome background 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moucho+Moncho 402 Posted April 13, 2013 Very well done! You should paint people's tanks that want you too! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thaoster 82 Posted April 13, 2013 I thought this was some sort of wallpaper at first you did an amazing job 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LovelyChaos 869 Posted April 13, 2013 Thanks guys (: I think this definitely makes the tank more interesting to look at! Very well done! You should paint people's tanks that want you too! Oh I would, it just takes so long to do! It's also really hard if the design is too complicated (: 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motherredcap 6,284 Posted April 13, 2013 That is really inspiring.... gotta find the paints. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Helen 8,511 Posted May 23, 2013 very nice, it looks neat, bright & pretty 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
