PVC in the reef tank

[wally311]

Is there anything I can use (paint, markers, etc.) to color the white PVC in my tank? I tried to find black parts, but couldn't in the sizes that I needed. The white just doesn't look good against the black background. Any suggestions?

 

[Micky]

I am having the same trouble but if my new tank is like my 125 older tank, it will cover over in time with coralline alge....

 

[liquid]

Give it a month or 3 and it'll be completely encrusted with coralline algae.

Shane

 

[GSchiemer]

Is there anything I can use (paint, markers, etc.) to color the white PVC in my tank? I tried to find black parts, but couldn't in the sizes that I needed. The white just doesn't look good against the black background. Any suggestions?

You can paint it black, let it dry well, and place it back into the aquarium, or you can replace it with Sch. 80 PVC, which is colored dark gray, or you can wait for it to be covered with algae.

Greg

 

[Anonymous]

I was thinking of possibly placing a thin layer of silicone on - smearing it over the surface. Then rolling it in maybe black sand or whatever substrate to cover the white. Haven't tried it yet but just an idea. My return spraybar is huge and pretty unsightly.

 

[GSchiemer]

I was thinking of possibly placing a thin layer of silicone on - smearing it over the surface. Then rolling it in maybe black sand or whatever substrate to cover the white. Haven't tried it yet but just an idea. My return spraybar is huge and pretty unsightly.

Boy, that's a lot of work when you can simply spray paint it black. Just be sure that the paint is completely dry before returning it to the aquarium.

Greg

 

[craw]

The silicone in the sand deal sounds good. The problem with painting the pvc black is that if it not preped properly the paint will flake off over time. As for becomming plain pvc being covering in coraline algae,, that will take some time and again it can flake off. If you rough up the out side surface with sand paper you have a better chance of it staying on the pvc. Personaly I would roll it in the sand. Good luck with what ever you do!

 

[GSchiemer]

The silicone in the sand deal sounds good. The problem with painting the pvc black is that if it not preped properly the paint will flake off over time. As for becomming plain pvc being covering in coraline algae,, that will take some time and again it can flake off. If you rough up the out side surface with sand paper you have a better chance of it staying on the pvc. Personaly I would roll it in the sand. Good luck with what ever you do!

If you give the PVC a light sanding and spray paint it black, the paint won't peel off.

Greg

 

[Anonymous]

I'm a little perplexed here..but here goes: if paint fumes can cause problems in the tank, then how is it that any old spray paint is safe? I'm sure that you're (liq & GS) speaking with knowledge here...is it just a matter of the toxic substances evaporating/outgassing in the drying process alone that is a concern?

And when you say "thoroughly dried/completely dry", is there some measure/degree of "dryness", some period of time that you always wait? (Just no longer tacky seems as though it would still smell, and then I'd assume that if I can smell it it's still giving off whatever substances may be a problem.)

Wouldn't flaking paint ultimately be a problem in the system?

What gives?

 

[GSchiemer]

I'm a little perplexed here..but here goes: if paint fumes can cause problems in the tank, then how is it that any old spray paint is safe? I'm sure that you're (liq & GS) speaking with knowledge here...is it just a matter of the toxic substances evaporating/outgassing in the drying process alone that is a concern?

And when you say "thoroughly dried/completely dry", is there some measure/degree of "dryness", some period of time that you always wait? (Just no longer tacky seems as though it would still smell, and then I'd assume that if I can smell it it's still giving off whatever substances may be a problem.)

Wouldn't flaking paint ultimately be a problem in the system?

What gives?

Here's how it's done. The PVC parts should be removed from the tank, dried, sanded, and taken outside to be spray painted with standard flat black spray paint. They should be left for 24 hours to dry, then rinsed off and placed back into the aquarium. Once the paint is completely dry, there are no concerns of toxicity. I've done this with PVC and acrylic parts without any problems.

Alternatively, if the parts are standard PVC pipe and fittings, it would be easier to simply replace them with Schedule 80 PVC, which is colored dark gray already.

Greg

 

[Anonymous]

I'll take your word for it Greg jsut makes me nervous putting any kind of paint in the tank. Another idea while running errands today I saw a pile of PURPLE , yes purple PVC pipe in the storage lot of this plumbing company. It looked like about 2" diameter pipe and some larger 6" and I am assuming it's PVC but that would give you coralline colored PVC pipe if you could find the right size. I'd go snap a pic but a 6-4 guy in ablack coat snapping pictures in of your warehouse in the rain here might look a tad sketchy - we just got a few terror bulletins yesterday to be wary of people inmpersonatiing maintenance people, ups drivers, postmen and utility workers /sigh

 

[wally311]

Thanks for the ideas. I saw a new Krylon spraypaint today at Wal-Mart for painting plastic. It claims that its the first paint to actually bond with plastic w/o any preping. I wonder what that would do. I won't actually have the tank up and running for another month or two, so I have plenty of time for drying/curing. Also, where could I find Schedule 80 PVC in the sizes I need? I haven't found any in the HW stores around here.

 

[fishpoo]

auto parts stores carry a plastic black wrap to make wires look neat. works fine for that .

 

[craw]

GSchiemer, I have never seen anyone with painted pvc. Does anyone have a picture of what it looks like in the tank after a year? And if you read my post I did say that if it's not preped properly the paint will flake off over time. :wink:

craw

 

[The Pirate]

GSchiemer, I have never seen anyone with painted pvc. Does anyone have a picture of what it looks like in the tank after a year? And if you read my post I did say that if it's not preped properly the paint will flake off over time. :wink:

craw

I have it and wish I didn't. I sanded it with 80 grit sandpaper, cleaned and painted it with my favorite brand of spray paint (Krylon). After a couple of years it started to peal but only where the lights hit it. I don't remember if it was before or after the conversion from 175s to 400w mh's. I can tell you coralline algae grows better on glass or plastic. If you want pics I can take and post them tomorrow after the lights come back on. Go with the schedule 80 (gray) pipe. Years later you'll be glad you did.

 

[mongo]

If you are nervous about the paint, use a 2-part epoxy paint designed for aquaculture use (aquaticecosystems.com sells many colors). It's expensive, but I had some left over from another project and used it to paint some PVC black/blue. Looks nice because it's the same color as my tank.