Aquarium safe paint?

Kravin Morfish · Joined: 06 May 2003 Location: Phoenix, Arizona

I'm setting up a new tank and using an UGJ system. My problem is that I'm going to use black substrate and don't want white PVC jets coming out of the black substrate. Is there a safe way to paint my UGJ system? If not I guess I will coat with silicone and dip it in the black substrate.

Thanks.
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Bill.

ohio420jb · Joined: 15 Mar 2004 Location: Ohio

why not just do that cause after the gravel on the pvc will look better thatn the paint, if u do paint though, its got to be potabl, like for water tanks and such

dogginfox · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Location: Athens, Ga

if you have access to an old pot you can mix the black RIT dye and put it on the stove over just less than boiling heat, and soak the pvc pieces in that for a little while and they should come out black as can be and looks very professionally done if you ask me
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200g DIY - N. Multis
55g- Hospital
20g- Fry

Kravin Morfish · Joined: 06 May 2003 Location: Phoenix, Arizona

I was skeptical at first but decided to try the RIT dye and I so appreciate that tip. These pieces came out perfectly black. It really is unbelievable that these came out the way they did. There's a pic of some of the fittings below. Thanks again for the tip dogginfox!

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Bill.

dogginfox · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Location: Athens, Ga

no problem.
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200g DIY - N. Multis
55g- Hospital
20g- Fry

Pastor John · Joined: 23 Oct 2003 Location: Carpentersville Il.

Hey thanks for the rit tip I'm going to dye all my pvc. Looks great, how long did you soak them?
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FlashPoint · Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Location: Evansville, IN

I tried it today....and it works great!

I just put my pvc parts in and let them simmer away for an hour. I'm not sure if they needed that long, but that's how long I left them in.

Just be sure to rinse them in soapy water after your're finished (I rinsed mine in clean tap water until it ran clear, then noticed that when I towel dried them, quite a bit of black dye came off on the towel. After I cleaned them in soapy water, I rinsed them extra well to be sure I got all the soap out, and no more dye came off on the towel.

They're back in the tank now, and look great....I mean, they're practically invisible against my black background. Can something that's invisible look great?

Kravin Morfish · Joined: 06 May 2003 Location: Phoenix, Arizona

I brought my water to a boil and backed off on the heat just a bit to a simmer and put the pieces in for 15 minutes and they are solid black. The pieces shrink a bit though so I would suggest putting the "jets" in the fitting that you are using before the dye process.
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Bill.

fmueller · Moderator Joined: 10 Jan 2004 Location: Kent, OH

What's RIT dye, and where do you buy it?

FlashPoint · Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Location: Evansville, IN

It's fabric dye. It can be found at most drug stores, department stores, and hobby/craft shops. Runs about $3.00 here for a small box, which is enough for mixing in a large pot.

praetor · Joined: 03 Apr 2004 Location: yahoovil,usa

Please post any problems you might later encounter with the RIT dye such as if it slowly starts releasing dye into the aquarium water. Great idea if it doesn't leach out dye.

Wolf · Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Location: Tampa, FL

Awesome!

I found this thread while I was searching google for a way to color the PVC pipes in my saltwater tank. How has this worked out for you guys? I'm anxious to find out how they held up after a while of being in operation.

Thanks!
Wolf

Kravin Morfish · Joined: 06 May 2003 Location: Phoenix, Arizona

I've had the dyed pvc in my tank for over 2 months now and no problems at all. It is still as dark as it were 2 months ago. I'd recommend it.
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Bill.

Tuckernotis · Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Location: Louisiana

I don't know what we did wrong but when we tried the Rit dye it came out blueish. We put them in a simmering pot and all. Tried to do the long pieces but could only get the ends. Anyway, we coated them with silicone and sand too so it still looks good. Have one jet that was left white because we didn't dye enough. Oh well.

Wolf · Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Location: Tampa, FL

Thanks for your responses! I think I'll try it out and put some saltwater in an empty tank for a while and see how it runs.

Tuckernotis, maybe too much water and not enough dye? I had the same problem dyeing some black shirts once when I was in the military. I just did it again and added more dye the second time and they came out as black as the day I bought them.

Perplexed