Coloring/Dying/"Opaquing" Acrylic

[doughpat]

Hello all-

I just built an overflow box for a 230 gallon tank, and I used clear 1/4" acrylic. Now I'm realizing its not going to be terribly attractive, especially for the first few months while various corralines/encrusters grow. So--i'm wondering if there are any safe colorants I can apply to the acrylic to dye it. I was also thinking of using some kind of solvent (acetone?) to "haze" the acrylic--but i'm obviously worried about the structural integrity by doing this.

Any ideas? I'd use a thin sheet of colored acrylic but I'm in a small town without a plastic shop, and I need to fill the tank in the next two or three days.

Thanks--
Ryan Lenz

 

[Anonymous]

Acetone will cause hazing/crazing. If you want such look, just use a sand paper...

You can add the thin colored veneer later if you are in hurry to fill the tank now.

 

[doughpat]

Hey...sandpaper...what an idea! That may also help encrusters grab hold.

The problem with adding veneer is gluing it in there with water/critters present. I suppose I could just use silicone, as it doesn't need to be waterproof.

 

[Anonymous]

sandpaper. the finer the grain, the finer the haze. You could check the plastic store for some casting colorant. I think it would work... But I'd check with them.

Quick and easy would be a piece of 1/8" colored acrylic

B