White PVC wrapping/covering?

[Gerryd]

Hi all,

I am thinking of removing my wier (overflow) walls on my tank.

I installed an over the top DIY intake in each overflow for extra flow.

If I remove the walls, these will of course be visible while they are now hidden behind the walls.

So, looking for some easy way to wrap the white PVC in a dark color to help hide it.

Any ideas that would be waterproof, long lasting, won't shred and clog the intakes, etc?

I am thinking a dark light weight cloth of some type and simply wrap the pipe in it...get some at the local Rag Shop or Linen'snthings...

Too easy????

Appreciate the help.

 

[CL_]

Krylon Fusion Black spraypaint works wonders if you will be draining the tank. It's permanent and looks great. The only downside is you will have to remove the pvc from the tank to paint it.

 

[Gerryd]

Chris,

Thanks but is a BIG downside

I do NOT want to drain the tank if possible......

I will drain the wiers (have done this before) and then gently remove the pvc from the bulkhead from the TOP portion. So under the tank plumbing is undisturbed.

I should be able to do what I want to them in terms of trimming, wrapping, etc.

How long would the paint need to dry and is it safe with the water.fish, and plants?

Must be NON TOXIC

 

[CL_]

The paint dries pretty fast if I remember correctly. Reefers use it all of the time with no problems. You could get identical pieces of PVC, paint them, then before removing the overflows, you could drain them, take the old pvc out, and install the new painted ones, then take the old overflows out? That might work

 

[LoudCreature]

Hi Gerry,

We use Krylon Fusion spray paints in various colors for all kinds of things in fresh and marine aquariums, garden and green house. They seem to be non-toxic and stand up well to sunlight.

I would wait at least 24 hours, Biollante the well-known fuddy-duddy insists on at least 7 days.

Though it says no surface prep is required, we have found that scrubbing the pvc with green scrubbing pads and TSP or Bar Tenders Friend give a better result.

Seems like Chris’ idea about prepping the pvc in advance is a good one.

LC

 

[Gerryd]

Hi Chris,

Thanks much. I can easily cut/paint new sections and simply swap them out... Nice idea..

LC,

Thanks for the input re: toxicity. I appreciate your sharing your experience...and the advise re: prepping...

I know Bio and yourself have lot of plant projects going...

Also good to know I can do 'flourescent cerulean blue' if I want to....

 

[Biollante]

Fuddyest of Duddys

Hi Gerry,

According to the Krylon folks all of their products are non-toxic once dry.

I know reefers that plop newly painted standpipes and such in within an hour of painting and have not reported any ill effects.

My reason for waiting a week has to do with durability, the aforementioned fine folks tell me that the full cure time is about seven days, I think that has mainly to do with chip resistance and such. I figure if the curing weren’t complete I would rather not expose the painted surface. :gw

Okay, so I am a fuddy-duddy.

Biollante

 

[shoggoth43]

Epoxy based paints might be another option, although it sounds like the krylon fusion is simple enough.

-
S

 

[inkslinger]

Not sure if I got you right, I use Black krylon fusion an painted the elbows going over the top of my tank , But I also have a Black background that I tape on the back of my tank that I bought a long time ago, So it covers every thing in the back of the tank. When I painted I use all of my can because I had no other use for it, I let it sit and curl for a week. But you can find Black 90* PVC elbows on line. My 2 returns I use Black Loc-Line for my returns and intake I use clear 1inch Inland Seas Suction screen. If you get the Black PVC Elbows you might want to use a Black nipple to drop the intake down a little deeper they come 3inch or 8.

http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/Schedule_40_PVC_Elbows_s/448.htm
http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/Suction_Screens_Inland_Seas_Clear_s/454.htm
http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/product_p/rdu10223.htm