Aquarium Safe Paint

[gadamuzik tv]

Hello all! I'm new to the saltwater hobby and I have a 55 gallon tank cycling. I made a rock structure out of styrofoam because I hate the way live rock looks. What type of paint is safe for me to use on the styrofoam that won't harm the fish? Also how do I keep the styrofoam from floating?

 

[mr. limpid]

they other problem with Styrofoam is that you can not use normal paint on it, it will melt the Styrofoam. There is special pant for Styrofoam which you will need to read the spec. sheet on the product, my guess that it will not be safe in your tank. Why don't you like LR it will turn purple from coraline algae, most items in your tank (heaters; pumps; cords)turn purple from coraline algae. You can make your own rock allot different shapes and designs if you search on youtube.

 

[florida joe]

Look into acrylic craft paint that is 100% acrylic. IMO it will be safe and will not melt the foam BUTdo your own research

 

[novahobbies]

Krylon Fusion. Works like a charm. Spray it in thin, light coats and it will not harm the foam. Been there, done that, fairly happy with the results.
OTOH, snails WILL remove the paint layer from the foam as they go along. Just be aware of it and you'll be fine. Best to use the black foam; it won't look so obvious when a snail passes along. That's one mistake I wish I could fix!

 

[gadamuzik tv]

I don't like live rock because of that "purple stuff" to me it makes an aquarium look dirty an unkept (just my opinion). I want to have a nice grey rock structure that will help my fake coral pop.

 

[meowzer]

If you are talking about coraline....it will grow on anything

 

[slice]

Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/386598/aquarium-safe-paint#post_3396815
If you are talking about coraline....it will grow on everything
fixed

 

[gadamuzik tv]

So there is no way to avoid the purple stuff? I want my tank to be nice and clean. Ok well is it safe for me to put some sort of natural stone in the tank so that I can clean off any algae that grows on it?

 

[zoogrl03]

The "purple stuff" is good and makes a tank have color. It is not necessarily good when it takes over a tank. I had a ton of it last year but took a straight edge razor and scraped it off the glass. It can be a nuisance at times, but it is not really bad. And yes, it will grow on anything in the tank, rock or not.

 

[novahobbies]

Coralline algae needs to be "seeded" somehow. I think what the OP is looking to achieve is essentially a FO tank. No live corals, no live rock, but faux everything.
It's not my cup 'o tea, but I won't judge.

If the OP does not add ANY live rock, or introduce any other natural items (corals, etc) that may have coralline on them, then no -- he probably won't have a problem with the purple stuff.
Just so you know, though -- a tank like this is going to require a high-end filter and consistent water changes. One of the benefits of live rock is the filtration it provides -- the rock has a lot of porosity for nitrifying bacteria to grow on it. I believe foam has some benefits for this as well, but IMHO nothing really beats out live rock in this regard.
Now to your other question about the floaty foam: Most people weigh their foam structures down with...
....wait for it.....
Live Rock. Maybe you could use some dry base rock instead....would that still be unappealing to you?

 

[gadamuzik tv]

I really do appreciate all of the info I am a slightly educated newbie when it comes to saltwater. I guess I'm goin to try the dry base rock. When it's setup I'll post pics I'd really like to get you guys opinions.

 

[mr. limpid]

If you start with dried base rock you won't have coraline algae and in time the base rock will turn into LR. If you do get coraline algae on any thing they make products that will clean it off even bleach will do that. Back in the day B4 we new of bacteria living on and in stuff I would bleach my decor to keep it clean looking, just need to rinse and rinse and rinse so more till bleach smell is gone.