Acclimation/Isolation Box Bottom

[Curelessjr]

I have an acclimation/isolation box that is clear acrylic on all side. Im wanting to add something to the bottom that prevents fish from seeing the sand bed below (watched a video talking about this and how it may or may not increase stress on some fish that are sand dwellers, so figured why not).

Is there some kind of paint, laminate, vinyl, etc. that is reef safe that i can apply to the bottom of my box?

Is that aquarium background stuff they sell at Petco or Petsmart reef safe?

 

[bluemon]

I have an acclimation/isolation box that is clear acrylic on all side. Im wanting to add something to the bottom that prevents fish from seeing the sand bed below (watched a video talking about this and how it may or may not increase stress on some fish that are sand dwellers, so figured why not).

Is there some kind of paint, laminate, vinyl, etc. that is reef safe that i can apply to the bottom of my box?

Is that aquarium background stuff they sell at Petco or Petsmart reef safe?

I'd just spray paint it and let it cure.

Haven't had an issue with it.

 

[PharmrJohn]

I'd just spray paint it and let it cure.

Haven't had an issue with it.

I did something like this. But I cannot remember what kind of paint I used.

 

[bluemon]

I did something like this. But I cannot remember what kind of paint I used.

I don't recall the exact one either, but I just used the bog standard rustoleum black paint.

 

[Techie_]

Could you use a plastic insert? Maybe 3D print one?

Painting things always makes me feel funny.

edit: to clarify i do not get high on paint fumes, I just don't love putting painted things into my tank :p

 

[bluemon]

Could you use a plastic insert? Maybe 3D print one?

Painting things always makes me feel funny.

Do you paint things in a well ventilated area? Wearing PPE? (Masks and eye glasses)

The fumes from spray paint can make some people feel "funny" or "high" when doing it in closed rooms. Some people do it to get a high

 

[Techie_]

Do you paint things in a well ventilated area? Wearing PPE? (Masks and eye glasses)

The fumes from spray paint can make some people feel "funny" or "high" when doing it in closed rooms. Some people do it to get a high

No, I usually start by huffing the paint directly or spraying it on my teeth. LOL.

I meant I always feel uneasy putting painted objects into the tank for a prolonged amount of time.

 

[PharmrJohn]

No, I usually start by huffing the paint directly or spraying it on my teeth. LOL.

I meant I always feel uneasy putting painted objects into the tank for a prolonged amount of time.

Hey! My Dad used to put Mercury on his teeth when he was a kid!!!! Back in the early 40s they hadn't figured out that was a BAD idea!!

 

[PharmrJohn]

I don't recall the exact one either, but I just used the bog standard rustoleum black paint.

I think that's what I used, as that was the ONLY type I would buy.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I like your idea of the aquarium background material. Rigid, yet flexible. Cut it to size and put some slits in it, and you're through.

 

[Dom]

Painting things always makes me feel funny.

Perhaps its the fumes. Are you painting in a well ventilated area?

 

[exnisstech]

Hey! My Dad used to put Mercury on his teeth when he was a kid!!!! Back in the early 40s they hadn't figured out that was a BAD idea!!

That was the funnest stuff I ever played with. I could spend hours scattering it apart then gathering all the pieces back into one.
My grandfather had bottles of the stuff. We knew better than to eat it back then.
EDIT: It was the 60s ;-)

 

[Curelessjr]

Thank you all! I'll figure out what direction I want to go with it. Probably the aquarium background stuff for ease and speed.

Hoping to pickup a black leopard wrasse tomorrow!