Painting tanks

[Sorrell]

I'm wanting to paint the bottoms of my spawn tanks black so I can keep them cleaner. What is the safest way to go about this? Obviously I won't be doing it with water in the tanks. Spray paint or brush? Anything else?

Anyone done this?

 

[littlefishie]

Why not just flip the tank over any paint the outside bottom? Then you don't have to worry about the paint affecting the fish.

 

[canarsie11]

exactly

 

[Sorrell]

Why not just flip the tank over any paint the outside bottom? Then you don't have to worry about the paint affecting the fish.

That's what I plan to do, I'm asking if there will be anything in the air from it that will go into the tank

 

[littlefishie]

I'd think that, if you kept it upside down til the paint was completely dried, there wouldn't be any chance of any paint fumes getting into the tank.
My mom used to be a photo retoucher and used a lot of spraypaints and such in the garage near my dad's motorcycle. He never kept it covered [his own stupid idea] the entire time my mom used spray paints in the garage. She was no more than 2 feet from the motorcycle, and not once did any spray paint get on it. She had to wear a mask for the fumes while using it, but once it was dried it was safe.
Basically, as long as the tank stays upside down for a couple days or so, you'd be fine. No chance of stuff getting into the tank.

 

[gale]

Well, I tend to be paranoid so this is what I would do:

Put some plastic over the opening and tape it all the way around.

Take it outside or to a garage or whatever where your fish will never be. Set it upside down on some newspaper and spray paint the bottom. Or brush it on but spray will probably give more even coverage.

Let it sit for a day or so until paint is good and dry.

Take it outside and carefully remove the plastic.

Take it directly into your fish room without going in the room you painted in.

 

[canarsie11]

So why are you painting it

 

[ThxForNothing]

LoL, that question is answered in the first post. "so I can keep them cleaner"

Everything shows up on black. lol.

 

[canarsie11]

I did not realize a bare bottom unpainted tank was so hard to do.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

use an air brush, why not get a neon paint and get a blacklight

 

[fishdudein]

LoL, that question is answered in the first post. "so I can keep them cleaner"

Everything shows up on black. lol.

Sorrell, I painted the bottom of my tanks a dark brown color, for the same reason TFN states, black really shows dirt (ask anyone who has owned a black car and a white car, which one was easier to keep clean). Of course, if this is your intention, you will easily be able to see when you need to clean your tanks . I hand-brushed mine, used a couple of coats to cover. The resulting brush-marks left on the bottom actually are a nice effect, I think. I normally try to do my painting outdoors, but there have been a few instances when I have had to do it in the fishroom due to cold weather, fumes have never been a problem for me.

I have read that some people paint the bottoms of their tanks, also 3 of the 4 sides, they claim the fish feel more secure in this set-up and they have better luck with breeding and overall health. Never tried it myself, but sounds interesting.