Chemicals...

[misscrosson]

This might sound like a stupid question.... but I'm just curious....

Today we're doing reno in our main bathroom, which is just near my fish tank.... and we will be painting the bathroom walls... I'm just curious if the fumes from this might be harmful to the fish? If so... how should I go about protecting them.... maybe covering the tank with a sheet or blanket?

 

[carpguy]

Fumes can be bad. No personal experience but that's the word. Knowing a little bit about paint chemistry I'd expect latex would be a good bit safer than anything oil or enamel based. No solvents.

I'd definitely cover with a garbage bag or something relatively impermeable. I'd think cloth would be too porous… if you hold the sheet over your nose can you still smell the paint?

 

[YoFishboy]

Carpguy is right...most paints used in the home these days are latex base...not anywhere near as bad as the industrial lacquers I use to use in the shop when I was younger (hope that doesn't come back to haunt me in the future...hehe). throw a 99 cent plastic tarp on the tank and open the bathroom window with a fan blowing into the bathroom from the doorway - should be fine!

 

[liv2padl]

throw a 99 cent plastic tarp on the tank and open the bathroom window with a fan blowing into the bathroom

yes, cover the tank with a plastic tarp but i'd go further ... seal it with duct tape around the tank. as for a fan .. also a good idea but better to put in the window to exhaust the fumes.

 

[misscrosson]

alright, thanks everyone.... :thm:

 

[wataugachicken]

i'd go with some of that press n' seal plastic wrap. . . duct tape might leave residue on the glass if it's on there for too long.