Painting the room with the fish tank

juanro

juanro

Member
In a few days we will be painting the whole house, including my bedroom that has the fish tank, and my concern with this is the paint fumes.
I will be covering the whole tank with a loose tarp, so that no paint can drip in and so that the air ventilates.
Would the paint fumes have any negative effect on the fish tank?
Should I turn off the filters so the fumes don't 'mix' in with the water?
 
xcali1985

xcali1985

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Juanro http:///t/388353/painting-the-room-with-the-fish-tank#post_3424588
In a few days we will be painting the whole house, including my bedroom that has the fish tank, and my concern with this is the paint fumes.
I will be covering the whole tank with a loose tarp, so that no paint can drip in and so that the air ventilates.
Would the paint fumes have any negative effect on the fish tank?
Should I turn off the filters so the fumes don't 'mix' in with the water?
Over thinking a simple situation. Don't worry cover it and paint away!
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
I've noticed that the fumes in the paint that is used nowadays does not have a strong odor like it used to.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
If it's a low VOC paint you'll be ok. Typical latex (water based) paint which is what is used for most ******** paints these days should be fine.
 
tur4k

tur4k

Member
You may want to turn off your skimmer for a few hours. I ended up losing three corals when I had my hardwood floors redone. I don't know if it was the fumes from the polyurethane or the heat from turning off the air conditioning and opening the windows every day for two weeks.
The polyurethane fumes were way worse than paint fumes though.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Did a little more digging.
Tur4k: Oil based polyurethanes do indeed contain some very nasty volatile organic compounds. So much so that some states have even banned the use of them. And they leave toxic fumes in the house for about a month after being applied.
Low VOC (volatile organic compounds) does not necessarily mean it's completely safe either.
So if it were me I'd follow some of those suggestions above.
I would:
Cover the tank good.
Roll the paint instead of spray it.
Turn off the skimmer.
Carbon as Bang suggested would probably be a good idea.
And keep the room well ventilated. Open some windows/doors and keep a fan blowing fumes out of room and prefferably out of the house by placing in a window or something.
And ofcorse use a low VOC or non VOC paint if possible. Stay away from oil based paints.
Hope that helps. Good luck.
 
xcali1985

xcali1985

Active Member
Still think everyone is over thinking a simple project.....
I've had my house painted before. Like I said cover and paint. In order for you to develop a level of saturation to affect your tank you would be in a coma from them first. So once again, I say cover and paint. When we repainted my house. Not one thing died.
I know how you feel with getting everything running just right. Your OK to worry, this situation is not one.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xcali1985 http:///t/388353/painting-the-room-with-the-fish-tank#post_3425287
Still think everyone is over thinking a simple project.....
I've had my house painted before. Like I said cover and paint. In order for you to develop a level of saturation to affect your tank you would be in a coma from them first. So once again, I say cover and paint. When we repainted my house. Not one thing died.
I know how you feel with getting everything running just right. Your OK to worry, this situation is not one.
This statement may be a bit cavalier. Considering where the o.p. lives low voc paints may not be available like they are here in the states. And injecting toxins into the water column via a skimmer could very well result in death of coral or other inverts. If the painting is being done in a spray application you're probably taking an even bigger risk. It may have worked out ok for you but that doesn't mean that it's safe in every instance. I would rather be safe than sorry considering the time and money some of us spend on our tanks. A few simple precautions is all it takes.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Hi,
I also have painted before.....do not spray the paint roll it on...the post on #11 by 2Quills is dead on correct, and turn the lights off for that day...nothing will die. Because you can't cover the tank and keep the lights on, there is not enough ventalation for the lights to breath and with corals closed it helps them not absorb or feed from the water. I have used oil based paint, but absolutly not sprayed. I paint my edges and corners then around the tank first, and let the room air out with fans and an open door and window. After that's dry...then paint the rest. That way, while I'm rested and alert I'm less likely to splash and drip paint. If you have any birds...let them spend a few days, even a week at a friends house or ask a local pet store to birdsit. Pregnant women and little babies and kids should find a place to go for a week as well.
 
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