Using Electrical Insulation Tape inside the Aquarium

nagukush

nagukush

AC Members
Jan 1, 2008
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Hi Friends,

I want to use the normal Electrical Insulation Tape to coat the White PVC Pipes and make them look black ( as the normal PVC pipes look a little unsightly inside the tank) - I'm talking about the ones that look like these - http://www.packing-tapes.com/images/adhesive-tape/PVC-insulation-tape-2.jpg

Kindly guide me if it will be safe to use them inside the tank or can they contain any harmful chemical that might kill the fish ?

Kindly advice Friends...
Thanks and Regards
Kush
 
I can tell you that eletrical tape will peel pretty quick. I had some covering a small opening on my 5, it fell off the next day, and I was using the expensive stuff. I'm reading Krylon Fusion is inert after it cures, and if aquarium safe- on a reef forum no less.
 
no, do not use tape. It is not waterproof, it will come off within a day or two, and the glue in the tank can't be good for the aquarium. Krylon fusion is spray paint specifically for plastics that will bond to the PVC and is aquarium safe once it dries.
 
I've also heard good things about the Krylon Fusion paints. I'm guessing it wouldnt hurt to lightly scuff the PVC pipe with some sandpaper to aid in the adhesion.
Andy
 
I'd say as long as your fish can't get to the adhesive, I can't see why it wouldn't be a problem. Electrical tape is waterproof on the outside, but you'll have to be careful not to leave any type of gaps where water can get between the white tubing and the adhesive. Over time it may separate and you'll have tape floating around. On a matter of aesthetics, you'll have that "candy cane" effect of wrapping the tape around a cylindrical object and its always hard to get it to lay flat. Take your time on it. You could paint it, but it will take time to dry and may have unsightly brush strokes in it. Once again, a matter of aesthetics.

In a related note, in my tank, the light from the hood creates this "hazy like effect" on the front of the aquarium making it appear like the acrylic is scratched. It's most likely from the angle that the light is hitting it. I took some electrical tape and covered the front part of the light and now that glare haze is gone. The tank looks CRYSTAL clear now and I'd say it's the best idea I've had towards dimming the lights. I have wondered if the heat from the light might A) melt the electrical tape which may catch fire or cause a melting into the water, or B) that the heat may create some type of fumes that might not be good accumulating inside the hood possibly contaminating the air/water inside. So far, nothing of the sort has occurred and I'm going to stick with it.

Electrical tape has been good to me, but I haven't actually submerged it. Good luck!!
 
Also, the fact that fish put anything they find into their mouths... if by any chance you had paint flake off... bye bye fishies! Again, good luck!!
 
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