Painting Tank

MarbleShark · 12-26-2006, 01:26 PM

Ok I have tried the stick on backgrounds and they just do not work as well. I have decided that I am going to paint the back of the tank. My question is this. Is there anyway that I can paint the overflow that sits inside the tank black as well? I do not know what paint is "saltwater safe" of if there is such a thing.

Any input?

P.S. I know eventually there will be coraline on the back of the tank and that will block it but this is something I have been toying with since I saw it at someone else's house but their tank was predrilled so they did not have to worry about an overflow being painted.

BoomerD · 12-26-2006, 02:51 PM

These folks sell paint for use with overflows...
http://www.wetdryfilter.com/accessor...0clearance.htm
I'd certainly contact them BEFORE ordering anything for use inside the tank. I do know that many people use Krylon or other paint to blend in white PVC, but I'm NOT sure what forumula (if any) is truly reef safe. You would definitely have to let it dry thoroughly (as in several days minimum) before putting it in water...

MarbleShark · 12-26-2006, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoomerD

These folks sell paint for use with overflows...
http://www.wetdryfilter.com/accessor...0clearance.htm
I'd certainly contact them BEFORE ordering anything for use inside the tank. I do know that many people use Krylon or other paint to blend in white PVC, but I'm NOT sure what forumula (if any) is truly reef safe. You would definitely have to let it dry thoroughly (as in several days minimum) before putting it in water...

Thank you very much for the response..

If I did use that for the overflow. Would I be able to have the tank without using the sump for a few days while it dries and just have the Skimmer and powerheads going?

I emailed them to ask them about the paint and am waiting for a response.

Do you know of anyone that might know about what formula is truly reef safe besides them?

I am happy that my gf is finally getting into the tank now and am trying to make it more pleasing for her to look at. *grins*

BoomerD · 12-26-2006, 03:21 PM

I take it that this is a HOB overflow? Personally, I want to be able to see into mine, as a way of monitoring the flow through it, but it's a matter of preference I guess. I would think that any good marine grade epoxy paint would also be safe, but again, it will need a minimum of several days to fully cure. DON'T use what is sold as bottom paint for boats, as it has copper or other ingredients designed to keep marine growth off the hulls of boats...

A quick google search on "reef safe paint" doesn't bring much info, but as I mentioned in the other post, many people are using Krylon, some using Krylon Fusion. You'd probably want to contact Krylon for application data before using it...

Charlie97L · 12-26-2006, 03:38 PM

additional question... is there any special technique to use in painting an acrylic tank? or do you just tape and spray?

MarbleShark · 12-26-2006, 03:50 PM

I am not going to spray paint the actual tank. I was told that you should only spray paint a tank if there is no livestock in it at all. I am going to spray paint the HOB overflow and that is going to be far away from the tank when I do that. I am going to use a sponge roller to paint the back.

MarbleShark · 12-27-2006, 12:58 PM

The information I got from another source is this....

"You want to use Krylon Fusion. The only places I could find it at was at WalMart and at Meijers. Paint it slow. If you paint to much at a time you will get runs in the paint. Let it dry for at least 3-6 days. And don't paint any thing that you want to adjust in your tank. I painted my intake and exit tubes for my closed loop. My intake blends in very well with the background, but my return tubes, once I put them together, you could not move them without screwing up the paint."

Hope this helps any besides me that has thought of just this.

Charlie97L · 12-27-2006, 03:06 PM

yes, i'm aware, my tank that i'm thinking about is empty. i tried the black backing, but it looked awful.

i just wanted to know if painting acrylic would work like glass.

personally, i wouldn't paint anything that's going on the interior of the tank. i'm talking about painting the outside edge of the back of the tank.

12-26-2006, 01:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
MarbleShark Torch coral Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 543 View Gallery Karma Komment	Painting Tank Ok I have tried the stick on backgrounds and they just do not work as well. I have decided that I am going to paint the back of the tank. My question is this. Is there anyway that I can paint the overflow that sits inside the tank black as well? I do not know what paint is "saltwater safe" of if there is such a thing. Any input? P.S. I know eventually there will be coraline on the back of the tank and that will block it but this is something I have been toying with since I saw it at someone else's house but their tank was predrilled so they did not have to worry about an overflow being painted. __________________ Norm

12-26-2006, 02:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,637 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Painting Tank These folks sell paint for use with overflows... http://www.wetdryfilter.com/accessor...0clearance.htm I'd certainly contact them BEFORE ordering anything for use inside the tank. I do know that many people use Krylon or other paint to blend in white PVC, but I'm NOT sure what forumula (if any) is truly reef safe. You would definitely have to let it dry thoroughly (as in several days minimum) before putting it in water... __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

12-26-2006, 03:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,637 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Painting Tank I take it that this is a HOB overflow? Personally, I want to be able to see into mine, as a way of monitoring the flow through it, but it's a matter of preference I guess. I would think that any good marine grade epoxy paint would also be safe, but again, it will need a minimum of several days to fully cure. DON'T use what is sold as bottom paint for boats, as it has copper or other ingredients designed to keep marine growth off the hulls of boats... A quick google search on "reef safe paint" doesn't bring much info, but as I mentioned in the other post, many people are using Krylon, some using Krylon Fusion. You'd probably want to contact Krylon for application data before using it... __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

12-26-2006, 03:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
Charlie97L Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,288 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Painting Tank additional question... is there any special technique to use in painting an acrylic tank? or do you just tape and spray? __________________ 40 Breeder, 20H Frag Aquactinics T5s, CPR Fuge, Deltec AP600, AC Jr, WavySea

12-26-2006, 03:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
MarbleShark Torch coral Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 543 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Painting Tank I am not going to spray paint the actual tank. I was told that you should only spray paint a tank if there is no livestock in it at all. I am going to spray paint the HOB overflow and that is going to be far away from the tank when I do that. I am going to use a sponge roller to paint the back. __________________ Norm

12-27-2006, 12:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
MarbleShark Torch coral Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 543 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Painting Tank The information I got from another source is this.... "You want to use Krylon Fusion. The only places I could find it at was at WalMart and at Meijers. Paint it slow. If you paint to much at a time you will get runs in the paint. Let it dry for at least 3-6 days. And don't paint any thing that you want to adjust in your tank. I painted my intake and exit tubes for my closed loop. My intake blends in very well with the background, but my return tubes, once I put them together, you could not move them without screwing up the paint." Hope this helps any besides me that has thought of just this. __________________ Norm

12-27-2006, 03:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
Charlie97L Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,288 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Painting Tank yes, i'm aware, my tank that i'm thinking about is empty. i tried the black backing, but it looked awful. i just wanted to know if painting acrylic would work like glass. personally, i wouldn't paint anything that's going on the interior of the tank. i'm talking about painting the outside edge of the back of the tank. __________________ 40 Breeder, 20H Frag Aquactinics T5s, CPR Fuge, Deltec AP600, AC Jr, WavySea

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)