how to hide ugly white pvc

[pohtr]

Anyone have any ideas on how to hide my ugly (homemade) durso standpipe? My tank has the standpipe in the main tank with no little corner hide-away section. It is very conspicuous now that I have my black background.
Is there a safe paint?
Could I use those foam pipe insulation things?
How can you tell if a piece of black plastic one might find somewhere would be safe? Is there a test or something?
What about the black filter medium for fish tanks? Do they make it in sheets or something that could be wrapped around the pipe?
Any thoughts?
:notsure:

 

[acrylic51]

You could make little acrylic covers to go around the pipes or you could swap them out and rebuild them using black PVC or the easiest might be to have patience like I was told and let the coraline cover them.....

 

[ricks280]

pohtr, i wouldnt worrie that much about it, its just that your set up is only new and by not having any algea at this stage it really stands out i have the same problem , some i covered with live rock so you only see the end (facing you) but now coraline started to cover it. (5 weeks old)

(rick)

 

[pohtr]

Thanks for the answers.
I don't think I'm going to empty my tank and change out the pipe, so I think I'll try the acrylic cover. Where do you find the acrylic to make one with? Is there a diff between acrylic and pvc?
In the meantime I'll work on the patience part.....

 

[acrylic51]

Yeah acrylic and PVC are different materials....You might want to see if you have a plastic supplier close by they should carry the smoked or black acrylic like you'd want

 

[trainfever]

Dont worry about it. In time it will be covered with Coraline Algae, the same with the back panel of your tank.

 

[pohtr]

O.K., I'm not worrying about it, BUT if I go to a plastic supplier (which I will if I can find one) and get black acrylic or pvc it'll be safe? Or do I need to get a certain kind?

 

[thangbom]

i seen a neat idea on a different forum about covering up piping.. he made home made LR.. he made impresshions of the pipe on the back side of it so he can wrap the piping up with the LR stuff..

 

[thegrog]

IMO, I would leave it. Since it is white, the coralline will grow like mad on it in a few weeks and you won't see it at all.
If you do want to replace it, then any standard acrylic or PVC would work. It just cannot be impregnated with any mildew or antibiotic compounds (some medical grade ones are).
Here is a place where I have bought from before. Don't think it is a board rules violation since they don't sell anything close to this:
https://secure9.nexternal.com/shared...unt2=667533516
Good luck!

 

[acrylic51]

Normal plexi or acrylic is aquarium safe....And yes the black would work....There is a place don't recall the site off the top of my head that specializes in rock structures to cover up pipe work and other cool, neat stuff. They make rock structures to cover the entire back wall of the tank or ends whatever your looking for. I think it might be Captive Reefs.