FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Since you can have aquariums made out of acrylic, would acrylic based paint be OK to use in an aquarium?

The Kapenta Kid

I will keep it very simple a big "No"
Paint is a different product. Painted objects (decorations etc) have to be treated with other products to make them safe for aquarium use.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

I was think about possibly painting the plastic trim on my tank. Is there any paint or process of changing the color that would be fish friendly?

The problem with paint is that the stuff it gives off when wet is very toxic. After it is dry, the danger is much less. The next problem is getting the paint to adhere to whatever you are painting. I would love to re-do my hoods, but since they are made of plastic, I'm afraid that the paint would just chip off.

________________________________________
The calming qualities of a good aquarium are irrefutable

the trim?

On the OUTSIDE of the tank?

Are there fish in the tank?

If not, just mask it all up, rough it up with some sandpaper and spraypaint it, and then use a good sealant over it.

It may chip, but get some good hands-on advice from someone with a lot of spraypainting or renovating experience (or case-modding even) and you should be right.


I would leave the inside alone, even if it doesn't touch the water, as the moisture will probably make the paint bubble and peel off.


Definately not acrylic, as its water based, it'll just go to mush in a wet environment.



Any chance of a photo? Better idea of what you are trying to accomplish?


For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Thanks for the input.
I've gone off the acrylic idea.
It was just for coloring cement painted on rocks etc. I decided to use gouache (poster paint) which is pretty inert and I only needed about a thimbleful in a half pint of cement grout. It is for an African cichlid tank so the cement helps to raise the pH.

Sorry Kid, didnt mean to hi-jack your thread.

I've decided not to paint the outside trim of the tank.
Nope, there's no fish in the tank yet.

Now I've decided to paint the (outside) back of the tank black.
What type of paint is good to use?

I found a can of Rustoleum, Latex, Semi-gloss black.
Is this safe to use? Is it water proof? Is is permanent?

I have a glass tank.

Acrylic black (I use chromacryl) will stick pretty well to glass I use that, and then spray it with an art sealer.




For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Thanks Callatya.

So latex won't stick to glass?

Latex will stick to glass but it will be very delicate. That is, it will chip easily if you have a HOB filter. Other cautions with any paint:
- thoroughly clean the area to be painted,
- tape your edges or remove the plastic trim as your paint will "bleed" under the plastic edges,
- apply the paint evenly so you do not have "bubbles" between the glass and the paint coat.

If you place the aquarium so that you can view your job from the front of the aquarium immediately afterwards, you can get a feel for your work. If you don't like it, let it dry then scrape it and try again.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

Thanks Bob.

I maded sure the glass was clean, and taped the trim and edges well. Many coats later, when the paint finally dried, I had to score a line with a razor before I peeled off the tape.

I dont have HOB filters. But I've taken the precaution of protecting the paint by taping sheets of cardboard to the back of the tank.