Can i paint PVC with something that isn't bad for the fish?

[PUNISHER VETTE]

I'm planning on my DIY weekend project to get rid of the tubing supplying my CO2 water to the tank.

Planning on doing a PVC system that will take right angles from the top to the bottom then down the back a little with holes in it where the water will come out. Only problem is i don't want white PVC in my tank as it would look worse then the tubing.

Can i buy a spray paint that doesn't hurt the fish? Or does regular spray paint not hurt the tank already? I used some plastic ready paint for the DIY reactor and it looked great...but that not in the water so....

[cocoa_pleco]

i believe epoxy paint is safe for fish

[Dsoto87]

Ive said it a million times but ill say it again. You can use Krylon Fusion. i just recently painted some pvc tubes black for my fish to use as caves. Its inert so it wont leach anything. It dries extremely quick too

[spudbuds]

Yep Krylon Fusion will work. Just make sure you clean the PVC very well prior to painting. If it's not perfectly clean, it will flake off in the tank.

[Lady Hobbs]

That's a spray, right? My fish don't like their pvc pipe caves much either. They want dark.

[AquaBANG]

how about applying silicone all over the pvc surface and coat with substrate? (gravel/sand), so that the cave will match the texture of the tank?

[Lady Hobbs]

I've already done that but the inside is white and they like it dark in their caves.

[jbeining75]

If you are scared the paint is going to leech you can always use clear coat epoxy resin to cover the pipe and make the paint water tight.

[hpt84]

i believe epoxy paint is safe for fish
You should get epoxy paint that is potable. Basically, chemical from the paint wont leak into the water.

[sailor]

Krylon fusion is the way to go and is available in many colours.
They also make a low oder which is safe to use indoors. I used it when I painted my 125 gal because it was too damn cold to paint outside and it didn't stink at all.

[PUNISHER VETTE]

I'll go with the fusion then. Thats exactly what i used for my DIY reactor and it came out great looking. Doesn't even look like it was spray painted as it bonds so well.

[PUNISHER VETTE]

Okay i got the paint and PVC now i just need to know if i should build the reactor down the entire back side of the tank with holes along the whole way or should i just run it down the side for a foot or so?