Epoxy Resin

[stang1]

I've made a background for my new tank and now I want to seal it all. I know a lot of people use epoxy resin but is there anything else I could use that is aquatic safe?
My partner thinks that PVA might be ok but I'm a little unsure.
Any ideas greatly appreciated,
Angie

 

[Rooster]

Superglue or Hot-melt glue gun (make sure you use the standard multi purpose sticks and NOT and intended just for wood)


Oh, and PVA is water soluble !

 

[InaneCathode]

What did you use to make the background?

 

[stang1]

We used expanding foam and masonry paint on top of slate.
We've found a PVA that is waterproof so are hoping this will be ok.

 

[InaneCathode]

Hopefully im not missing something, but you're asking about chemicals to seal the surface of the background?
If you used masonry paint i'd be inclined to say you dont need to seal it, as masonry paint is meant to seal anyway.
Course that all depends on if the paint was water or paint soluble...

 

[stang1]

Hopefully im not missing something, but you're asking about chemicals to seal the surface of the background?
If you used masonry paint i'd be inclined to say you dont need to seal it, as masonry paint is meant to seal anyway.
Course that all depends on if the paint was water or paint soluble...

Hi Inane,
Yes, we are looking for something to seal the surface. Unfortunately, the masonry paint rubs off the expanding foam but it's ok on the slate. We were advised to use a pond sealant which we have tried but the fumes are overpowering, so we were looking for something else.

 

[InaneCathode]

Hmm...
Didnt think the masonry paint would rub off that easily. You could try epoxy resin primer...
Afaik not alot of things can stick to expanding foam, it tends to flake/degrade pretty easily.

 

[stang1]

Thanks Inane but we sussed it out in the end.
Managed to get some resin to coat it all with and it's worked a treat.
Thanks for your help.

 

[InaneCathode]

Righteous mate! Post pics so we can all oggle your work

 

[stang1]

Just need to do the last finishing touches. As soon as it's finished I will post pics.

 

[stang1]

Our tank background took a complete nose dive and we've had to strip it down.
My partner had used PVA before coating it with epoxy resin. We left it to dry for a couple of days and when we added water it reacted with the resin and turned sticky and glue like.
We've decided not to try it again as we really want to get the tank running and making our own background took nearly a week.
Looks like we've got to make do with a Jewel bacground instead. I'm gutted!!!!

 

[Darkstar]

What's fish are going in this tank when it's done?

 

[stang1]

We've got 5 Plecos at the moment, 3 Pictus and 3 Pearl catfish. There's also 5 Ticto Barbs and we will be getting different Barbs as well as some moe Plecos!

 

[Darkstar]

We've got 5 Plecos at the moment, 3 Pictus and 3 Pearl catfish. There's also 5 Ticto Barbs and we will be getting different Barbs as well as some moe Plecos!

In which case you may want to tread carefully regrading the pleco's rasping at the background...long term effects maybe not be good. Good luck though.

 

[stang1]

We've got 5 Plecos at the moment, 3 Pictus and 3 Pearl catfish. There's also 5 Ticto Barbs and we will be getting different Barbs as well as some moe Plecos!

In which case you may want to tread carefully regrading the pleco's rasping at the background...long term effects maybe not be good. Good luck though.

It won't be a problem now as we are buying a background instead. It was a first attempt at making one and it didn't work out unfortunately.