writing on 5gal buckets

V

vegas mma

AC Members
Apr 11, 2007
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ok so i just bought two 5gallon buckets and wanted to put marks on the side for every 1/4 gallon. that way when i am doing water changes i can be more accurate. also for mixing salt. it would be nice to know how much water i have.

i've tried using a sharpie marker, but it just wipes off. right now i have some paint on it but the paint is latex paint so if you rub it, it comes off.
does anyone know of a permanent way to put marks on the side. i was thinking of cutting electrical tape in arrow shapes and put them on, but how long will the tape stay on with water dripping on it...

anyone have any ideas?

would spray paint work? or any other kind of paint work? i know latex paint will not stick.

thanks in advance.
-michael
 
if you clean it with alcohol before using the sharpie, and letting the sharpie dry well, it should stick.

i know this because my buckets have "FISH ONLY" written in LARGE letters with a black sharpie, and theyve been there for well over a year now.
 
how long did you let the sharpie dry for?
mine sat for 6 hours and still wipes right off. maybe i need a new sharpie. i'm gonna try again tomorrow
 
You can do the same thing I do on all my tanks, that is to apply 1" 0r 2' masking tape then mark off what you want. I do it in 1" increments so I can convert inches into gallons to use when medicating.
HTH
 
Though I don't have them marked for volume, I have them marked like JdR for fish only, with a sharpie, for several years.
 
you could also try scuffing the surface with 1000 grit sandpaper or emery paper. but thats a list ditch effort IMO.
 
alright thanks for all the help.
i found some "pro" sharpies that worked great. i have one bucket with 1/4 gallon marks all the way to 5gal. and both lids have "fish tank only" on them.
just gotta measure the lines so i can transfer to the other bucket.
thanks again for the help.

also J Double R i was getting ready to scuff it with some 1500 grit. i have a bunch of that stuff laying around from painting my car.
 
I used a box cutter to scratch lines into my bucket. No chance it'll ever rub off! I used gallon jugs to pour water into the bucket, and marked a scratch at each gallon. Then I got a Python, lol.
 
well a python wouldn't help in this situation.
i want the marks on the side so i know how much salt to mix in. that way i don't have to keep adding more salt to get the sg right.

also it makes it easier to drain the right amount of water. if you drain too much then you either have to make more salt water or put some of the old water back.
 
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