Where to get blue vinyl to wrap tanks?

[Fish Fan]

I used this stuff on my frag tank, works great. I would think any vinyl that is marked waterproof and UV rated is fine. I have used other vinyl before and that is what I looked for.

Thank you for your reply! Is that bottom piece one or multiple pieces? The problem with the vinyl I'm finding at the craft stores and dollar stores is that the only come in a 12" width or so. I think that's so it fits those Cricut craft printers. I'd like to find some wider material.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Thank you for your reply! Is that bottom piece one or multiple pieces? The problem with the vinyl I'm finding at the craft stores and dollar stores is that the only come in a 12" width or so. I think that's so it fits those Cricut craft printers. I'd like to find some wider material.

The bottom is two pieces, because I got it at the dollar store. They do make vinyl much wider. I think at the bigger craft stores they carry up to 24 inches, but I am sure colors are limited.
Just throwing this out there, If you have a sign printer near you they may have vinyl you can buy the foot and you would not have to buy a whole roll. Also applying vinyl is a semi-skill, easy but not as straight forward as you would think. You can get a little kit from the depot that helps, which includes a spray, squeegee and a knife I think.

 

[Fish Fan]

The bottom is two pieces, because I got it at the dollar store. They do make vinyl much wider. I think at the bigger craft stores they carry up to 24 inches, but I am sure colors are limited.
Just throwing this out there, If you have a sign printer near you they may have vinyl you can buy the foot and you would not have to buy a whole roll. Also applying vinyl is a semi-skill, easy but not as straight forward as you would think. You can get a little kit from the depot that helps, which includes a spray, squeegee and a knife I think.

Thanks for the reply! I have done this with inexpensive window tint before, so I have some familiarity with the process; it actually looks really straightforward to me.

Unfortunately I realized that I can't do the blue that I really want to since my overflow will be black, and I don't think I want a two-toned background. So I guess black it is, but I still want to try this vinyl. I do have a couple of sign shops near me, I'll give them a call this week.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Thanks for the reply! I have done this with inexpensive window tint before, so I have some familiarity with the process; it actually looks really straightforward to me.

Unfortunately I realized that I can't do the blue that I really want to since my overflow will be black, and I don't think I want a two-toned background. So I guess black it is, but I still want to try this vinyl. I do have a couple of sign shops near me, I'll give them a call this week.

Doing blue could still work, I mean my overflow is black, I think it adds contrast. I have found on all my tanks I like the black background the least. It just makes the tank look so dark. Maybe because of the lighter backgrounds make it more reef/ocean like. But of course this is just my personal taste. Initially the black was nice because of the contrast, but after a while not so much.
Note: the aqua color on the sides is just a reflection there is only vinyl on the bottom and back.

 

[Fish Fan]

I think the black is just traditionally what freshwater keepers did for years, but the ocean is, you know, blue lol!

I'm still thinking about the blue. If my black plastic overflow gets covered in coraline, then maybe it's not such a big deal.

 

[Ironwill723]

I have a black overflow box on mine too with blue vinyl doesn’t bother me at all. Give the blue a try, the best part about vinyl is you can peel it off easily if you don’t like it.

 

[Fish Fan]

Guys, I'd like to bump this post.... Here's where I am now.

I have been considering vinyl for two tanks; an SC Aquariums 150 gallon peninsula DT (waiting for their Black Friday sale), and a smaller tank to use as a frag/invert QT tank. For the SC Aquariums tank, the picture on their sales page doesn't show any kind of background, but I now see in the description that it does indeed include black vinyl. Neat

And, I've been looking for a frag/invert QT tank, I had wanted about 30-40 gallons (30"-36" length to fit my space), and I almost threw up a little when I saw the pricing plus freight shipping for tanks this size. When is comes to the cost of a new tank these days, I am in full on "old man" mode, please don't get me started ;-)

But because I am also planning the 150, my budget for a frag tank was limited, and I just could not get past the great price of the IM Nuvo Fusion 25 gallon Lagoon AIO (currently 20% off, no tax (through IM directly), and just $29 shipping). A little smaller than I wanted, but I have several other IM tanks already, so I know I like them, and this tank is going to look much, much nicer than the 40B standard I had also been contemplating (and already bought; I will keep it to QT larger fish for my 150).

My question here is that I now want to vinyl wrap the left side of the this IM 25 lagoon because it will sit in a corner. The height of this tank is 11.9", so I *think* I can use the vinyl material that I see at Walmart or craft stores like Michael's that's only like 12" or 13" wide, and intended for those Cricut craft printers.

With all that in mind, what kind of vinyl could I get from my local Mega-Lo-mart or craft stores that is appropriate for wrapping tanks? Now, I don't need anything wider that 12", which was a big issue for me when I started this thread.

Your help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Just look for permanent and waterproof. The tank that I have in the earlier part of your post was a 25 lagoon with the AIO taken out. I got that vinyl from Dollar Tree.

 

[Ironwill723]

Michaels sells 12" rolls of the Oracal 651

ORACAL® 651 Permanent Adhesive Matte Vinyl | Michaels

Buy the ORACAL® 651 Permanent Adhesive Matte Vinyl at Michaels. ORACAL 651 is the most popular vinyl for many uses, especially for die-cutting machines such as Cricut®, Silhouette® and more.

www.michaels.com

 

[Fish Fan]

Just look for permanent and waterproof. The tank that I have in the earlier part of your post was a 25 lagoon with the AIO taken out. I got that vinyl from Dollar Tree.

Thank you, I've been wondering if I should use the permanent stuff (which I assume can be peeled off if needed).

Michaels sells 12" rolls of the Oracal 651

ORACAL® 651 Permanent Adhesive Matte Vinyl | Michaels

Buy the ORACAL® 651 Permanent Adhesive Matte Vinyl at Michaels. ORACAL 651 is the most popular vinyl for many uses, especially for die-cutting machines such as Cricut®, Silhouette® and more.

www.michaels.com

Perfect! I have a Michael's near me, I will check that out.

Thanks guys!