paint fumes

[Tropjunky]

I know paint fumes hurt fish but can active carbon be used to nurtalise the effects?
i can't control wot happens wit my dad he's a complete pain.

 

[Chasing Puck]

If possible, cover the aquarium with a towel--this will help reduce the amount of fumes that make it into the tank. If you run a bubbler, turn it off until the paint dries, and open as many windows as you can.

I painted my living room with 2 SW tanks in the room, and 5 tanks just upstairs, and never had any problems. I kept the windows open, and turned off the air pumps.

 

[clutterydrawer]

Do you have an airpump and stone? I was recomended to cover the tank with clingflim but run an airstone in it, from a pump outdoors or in a different room. have you tried explaining the problem to your dad? what did he say?

 

[FishDan]

Personally, I think the "problem" is way overstated. Unless there is large-scale painting right near the tank, there will not be that much effect from fumes in the first place. If your dad is painting in the same room, you could cover with a towel as a preventative. I wouldn't worry all that much, unless he is doing serious painting of the room with the tank in it. If you have to wear a mask to be in the room, then you need worry more about your fish. If the room "smells of paint" but it isn't overpowering or eyewatering, I doubt there will be issue with the tank.

\Dan

 

[yhbae]

I painted thw whole basement and I have tanks in the basement and 1st floor. Zero casualties. As FishDan says, I believe this paint fume problem is over-stated or at least they didn't use the usual paint for indoor homes.

 

[fishdudein]

I would agree with the theory that the problem is over-rated, but possibly with good reason. Once upon a time, paint was very toxic, there was even lead based paints that would poison people or anything else that might accidentally ingest it. Babies were dying from eating peeling paint off of old walls. The smell of paint was much stronger then that it is today, and yes, these fumes probably were toxic to fish.

Stricter governmental guidelines for paint manufacturers have pretty much made this problem a thing of the past. It has become more and more uncommon in the last few years to find anything but latex paint offered for sale in most paint stores.

 

[Tropjunky]

well the paint usesd is for metal

 

[FishDan]

Regardless of the type of paint, I think the points made still apply. You have to have a high concentration of fumes to harm your fish. Just don't go dumping paint in your tank, ventilate the area and you'll be fine. How much metal was he painting? If it wasn't a serious room sized project I wouldn't worry.

\Dan

 

[Tropjunky]

well i live in my dads takeaway and well he was re-painting the kitchens so is was a mid sezed job

 

[FishDan]

Is the fish tank in the kitchen? If it was then a little worry might be in order, but I even doubt that. If the tank was in any other room (ie not the kitchen) you have nothing to worry about.

\Dan

 

[Tropjunky]

well not next to it but i've had one death and thats it. the painting has stoped so no more probs hopefully

 

[nightlife20]

id be more worried if it was an oil based paint, varnish and gloss get my toxic rating, if its just a normal water based paint then u should be ok just use the towel/sheet as ppl have pointed out a saftery precaution (also we wouldnt want paint splashes on the tank, thats if u dads anythin like me with a roller )