Yes, you can use the same paint as the one shown in the video for painting components that will be inside the tank, such as power heads, intake pipes, etc. Male sure it is Krylon Patriot Blue. This is non-toxic and inert in seawater once it has fully dried in air.
We have only used the Krylon Patriot Blue in saltwater aquariums but it should also be fine in freshwater tanks. The main thing is to make sure it's dry -- after you paint the component give it a day or two to dry thoroughly. Also, if you paint a plastic component use a piece of sandpaper to rough up the surface a little for better paint adhesion.
Yes, it only takes a minute or two to rough up the surface and it will make the paint adhere much better to the PVC. Use a fine grit sandpaper, then clean the pipe carefully to get all the dust off it. And make sure it's totally dry before you apply the paint. Use several coats, letting it dry a bit in between coats. Not too much in one place or it will drip.
@ipsfdotcom I have used the cheap enamel spray paint from Family Dollar. I have painted filter intakes, eggcrate, pvc pipe, etc with it. No problems in any of my tanks but I let it dry for at least 7 days. The paint can says non toxic if allowed to dry really well. Now I wouldn't eat it but for a tank its fine. Black Gloss 99cents a can at my Family Dollar.
@trhisdone Aloha and thank you for the comment! The only way we learn is by trying new things, LOL! This will help some other hobbyists, I am sure./Gerald at ipsf.com
@trhisdone that one dollar stuff is also hard to get off a tank when you try to remove it I had a 10 gallon tank gave to me and someone had it in a wall and painted 3 sides of it and only the back would not come off no matter what I tryed so its a off color blue but its better then scratching the tank but the dollar stuck stick really good lol.
It would be interesting to see what the actual PAR differences were for the various colors tested and how they affected growth of the organisms, if at all. Do you happen to have the reference for that article handy?
There's actually been some research done that shows painting the back of a tank reduces PAR levels in the tank. The fellows doing the research found that a background taped to the back of the tank did NOT lower PAR, even if it was black. But painting in -any- color did.
I never had any luck with the ahua tech fish filters they only lasted me a month then they just stopped working or burned out.
wotldthe2006 3 months ago
Why don't you just use fablon(sticky-back plastic)?!
You can get it in sea view designs and stick it to the back of the tank in ten minutes!
Its water proof, and last for years.
That's what i have done on my two tanks.
hotlips4000isback2 4 months ago
Thank you!
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
is there any paint that is safe for using inside an aquarium?
lolustupid 2 years ago
Yes, you can use the same paint as the one shown in the video for painting components that will be inside the tank, such as power heads, intake pipes, etc. Male sure it is Krylon Patriot Blue. This is non-toxic and inert in seawater once it has fully dried in air.
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
how about for a freshwater aquarium?
lolustupid 2 years ago
We have only used the Krylon Patriot Blue in saltwater aquariums but it should also be fine in freshwater tanks. The main thing is to make sure it's dry -- after you paint the component give it a day or two to dry thoroughly. Also, if you paint a plastic component use a piece of sandpaper to rough up the surface a little for better paint adhesion.
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
i was planning on painting pvc pipes that are part of my sump would i need to rough those up?
lolustupid 2 years ago
Yes, it only takes a minute or two to rough up the surface and it will make the paint adhere much better to the PVC. Use a fine grit sandpaper, then clean the pipe carefully to get all the dust off it. And make sure it's totally dry before you apply the paint. Use several coats, letting it dry a bit in between coats. Not too much in one place or it will drip.
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
@ipsfdotcom I have used the cheap enamel spray paint from Family Dollar. I have painted filter intakes, eggcrate, pvc pipe, etc with it. No problems in any of my tanks but I let it dry for at least 7 days. The paint can says non toxic if allowed to dry really well. Now I wouldn't eat it but for a tank its fine. Black Gloss 99cents a can at my Family Dollar.
trhisdone 1 year ago
@trhisdone Aloha and thank you for the comment! The only way we learn is by trying new things, LOL! This will help some other hobbyists, I am sure./Gerald at ipsf.com
ipsfdotcom 1 year ago
@trhisdone that one dollar stuff is also hard to get off a tank when you try to remove it I had a 10 gallon tank gave to me and someone had it in a wall and painted 3 sides of it and only the back would not come off no matter what I tryed so its a off color blue but its better then scratching the tank but the dollar stuck stick really good lol.
wotldthe2006 3 months ago
It would be interesting to see what the actual PAR differences were for the various colors tested and how they affected growth of the organisms, if at all. Do you happen to have the reference for that article handy?
ipsfdotcom 3 years ago
There's actually been some research done that shows painting the back of a tank reduces PAR levels in the tank. The fellows doing the research found that a background taped to the back of the tank did NOT lower PAR, even if it was black. But painting in -any- color did.
RatTheUnloved 3 years ago
what is par levels?
crazybeavers155 2 years ago
Thanks for the comment! One can is enough to paint two 10-gallon back panels.
ipsfdotcom 3 years ago
great nano lagoon series! is each can only enough for one 10 gallon back panel ?
yeahitskennyyy 3 years ago