How to coat something to make it fishy safe.

echoofformless

echoofformless

Peat Advocate & Defender Of Snails
Oct 1, 2005
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Phil Uh Del Feeya
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We just bought this really cute gutter downspout to make a waterfall outflow for our tiny pond filter. Being extra cautious as always, we're unsure if the resin it's made from is fishy safe, so we want to paint it or coat with something that would make it so. Does anyone know the best stuff to use?
 
It looks plastic, you might want to give it a "bath" before it goes near fish. Making a coating works for a while but eventually you will get the original surface back. I think you should call the company or email them and ask them what it is made out of, then you can see if it's fish-friendly.


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I just sent them an email. It says it's made of resin, but that doesn't really tell me enough. It does have a rather strong scent to it, which concerns me a little. But we really want to use it so I will do what is necessary to make it usable.
 
echoofformless said:
I just sent them an email. It says it's made of resin, but that doesn't really tell me enough. It does have a rather strong scent to it, which concerns me a little. But we really want to use it so I will do what is necessary to make it usable.
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It would be best to be patient, when it comes to aquariums rushing is a very bad idea.


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echoofformless said:
I just sent them an email. It says it's made of resin, but that doesn't really tell me enough. It does have a rather strong scent to it, which concerns me a little. But we really want to use it so I will do what is necessary to make it usable.
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The problem is, if the material is impregnated with something harmful to fish, then no coating will make it truly safe. Eventually, any coating will break/wear down. I doubt that you want to risk contaminating your tank, potentially killing all the inhabitants and rendering the substrate, driftwood, etc. unusable. Perhaps check out DIY ideas for filter spout/directional doohickies. People have used soda/water bottles safely, I know, and there are probably other items that would be acceptable. Start with things that are food-safe for humans. It's a pretty good bet they'll be okay in the tank. (Personally, I wouldn't put anything that has a strong smell into a tank; I think that means it's outgassing something, which couldn't be good for your fishies.)
 
But they do it on Tanked!?
 
Do an amateur aquatic bioassay. Put the thing in a 5 gal bucket full of water and add a few feeders or any extra fish you have around. See what happens. That's how I found out that most garden hose has no business transporting water to be used for fish.
 
SubRosa said:
Do an amateur aquatic bioassay. Put the thing in a 5 gal bucket full of water and add a few feeders or any extra fish you have around. See what happens. That's how I found out that most garden hose has no business transporting water to be used for fish.
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That's a fail-proof idea. But what do you do with the fish if it is safe?


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There are some Marine Epoxy paints that will last "forever". Look into that.
 
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