paint in fish room

rayn · 06/25/2011, 08:52 PM

Wasn't sure where to put this, but I have a question about paint in a fish room.

I'm building a large tank stand and want to paint it white. It is in the fish room where three other tanks are currently running. I have windows opened and I can turn on exhaust fans, can I paint in there without crashing the other tanks?

I know water soaks up paint fumes, but I couldn't build it complete outside and paint it.

mike5051 · 06/25/2011, 08:56 PM

I wouldn;t worry about brush or roller painting, spray painting would worry me.

crvz · 06/26/2011, 06:16 AM

I doubt your tank will crash, but I have often had weird things happen when I paint. In particular, every time I used latex paint in my house my skimmer would go crazy for a couple days. It did not affect any of the fish or corals. I would also hesitate with spraying, but you should be able to paint without much concern if you brush or roll.

blackx-runner · 06/26/2011, 07:29 AM

I have seen people post of some issues with painting. Would it be possible to run the skimmer intake to another room, or maybe add a carbon filter to it. That may lessen any effects that could come from the painting.

rayn · 06/26/2011, 07:56 AM

I'm running carbon in a reactor and could change it out before hand. If a hob would be better I could go buy one. I can't really move the skimmer though.

snorvich · 06/26/2011, 07:59 AM

My sumps are in the basement. I cover the tanks or sumps (depending where I am painting) with plastic sheet but I don't know if this really helps or just keeps me happy.

dzfish17 · 06/26/2011, 08:15 AM

I would use a brush and roller as suggested and if you can, set a fan to blow out one of the windows... it will remove most of the fumes. I've always just covered the tanks with plastic like Steve does... never had any problems.

jeff@zina.com · 06/26/2011, 08:17 AM

Low VOC paint solves this issue.

Jeff

Text mangled by iPhone spell check...

Ron Reefman · 06/26/2011, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayn

I'm running carbon in a reactor and could change it out before hand. If a hob would be better I could go buy one. I can't really move the skimmer though.

You don't need to move the skimmer, just the air intake. Add a hose to the intake and move it out of the room with the paint fumes. Think about the air being mixed with the water in the skimmer.

Ron

06/25/2011, 08:52 PM	#1
rayn Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pekin, Il Posts: 2,864	paint in fish room Wasn't sure where to put this, but I have a question about paint in a fish room. I'm building a large tank stand and want to paint it white. It is in the fish room where three other tanks are currently running. I have windows opened and I can turn on exhaust fans, can I paint in there without crashing the other tanks? I know water soaks up paint fumes, but I couldn't build it complete outside and paint it. __________________ Currently changing, stay tuned for new details...

06/25/2011, 08:56 PM	#2
mike5051 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Orleans Posts: 162	I wouldn;t worry about brush or roller painting, spray painting would worry me. __________________ 75g Oceanic RR, 40 breeder sump/fuge. 130lbs LS, 50lbs base rock, 50lbs LR. Reef Octopus NWB 150 Skimmer, Mag 9.5 Return, 2 Koralia Evo 750s, 2 250w MH.

06/26/2011, 06:16 AM	#3
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	I doubt your tank will crash, but I have often had weird things happen when I paint. In particular, every time I used latex paint in my house my skimmer would go crazy for a couple days. It did not affect any of the fish or corals. I would also hesitate with spraying, but you should be able to paint without much concern if you brush or roll. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

06/26/2011, 07:56 AM	#5
rayn Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pekin, Il Posts: 2,864	I'm running carbon in a reactor and could change it out before hand. If a hob would be better I could go buy one. I can't really move the skimmer though. __________________ Currently changing, stay tuned for new details...

06/26/2011, 07:59 AM	#6
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	My sumps are in the basement. I cover the tanks or sumps (depending where I am painting) with plastic sheet but I don't know if this really helps or just keeps me happy. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

06/26/2011, 07:29 AM	#4
blackx-runner Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 118	I have seen people post of some issues with painting. Would it be possible to run the skimmer intake to another room, or maybe add a carbon filter to it. That may lessen any effects that could come from the painting.

06/26/2011, 08:15 AM	#7
dzfish17 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fresno,Ca. Posts: 2,545	I would use a brush and roller as suggested and if you can, set a fan to blow out one of the windows... it will remove most of the fumes. I've always just covered the tanks with plastic like Steve does... never had any problems. __________________ 600g (96x36x46) FOWLR

06/26/2011, 08:17 AM	#8
jeff@zina.com Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 3,345	Low VOC paint solves this issue. Jeff Text mangled by iPhone spell check...

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