Just had the room the tank was in - and several surrounding rooms painted. Have heard a lot of anecdotal problems. Take the poll and talk about the problems (or none) in the comments.
JCTReefer
Valuable Member
I’ve painted several adjoining rooms. I’ve used Behr Marquee without issues. It has one of the lowest VOC’s and is approved for use in nurseries/daycare centers and such. It’s also a really good paint! I also recently rebuilt the Substructure/floor where my ac and water heater set out in the garage closet. I epoxied all the woodwork and plywood top to water proof seal it. Talk about toxic fumes!! You could smell expoxie through the whole house. Very high VOC’s in that stuff until it cures. A month later I can still smell hints here and there through the return vent in the living room. That just happens to be the vent that is located right next to my newly set up DT. I’m hoping this won’t cause an issue later on. The new DT has nothing in it but rock, so I cant say if the epoxy will have any lasting effects. The epoxy didn’t effect my other tank which resides in a bedroom. I know some of those fumes made their way through the vents. I’d be hesitant to use something like this in the same room as a tank.
Fish Think Pink
5000 Club Member
IMO run charcoal as preventative. Paint fumes bother my & my family so would expect also bother tank
OP
OP
I always run carbon (i.e. activated carbon) - I also had a small fan (in the bathroom) running. This was a latex based paint - they had to do two coats on 2 days. Time will tell whether there are any untoward effects.
Waters
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I have painted multiple rooms (including the room the tank is in, which is a basement) without any issues. Just use 0 VOC latex paint and you will be fine. I didn't take any additional precautions.
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