Keeping Things Non-Toxic

MBS · #1 (**permalink**) 03-09-2008, 03:02 AM

Hey all,
Working on my first Paladarium. It's a real trial and error thing at this point (nothing living in it until everything is running smoothly, of course) because I have never made my own background or had live plants, both of which are going to happen with this tank.

I'm working on the background now, and it's going along fine, but I've run into a problem. I had planned on coating my finished product with an Epoxy Resin (as so many DIY guides suggest) but, alack, I can't seem to find anywhere that sells the stuff in anything but those little syringes. I'm not sure if it's just not sold in Canada or what... In any case, I want to make sure my background is safe and non-toxic, and I want to paint it, so if anyone has any suggestions for other ways/products I can use to coat my background I'd sure appreciate it! Thanks,
-Nick

MBS · #2 (**permalink**) 03-09-2008, 03:37 AM

Okay, so as I have been going through the forums I found a suggestion of using any water based polyurethane. According to the Canadian Home Depot website, they have some. Just want to know now if anyone has used a polyurethane coating and how it went/how it's holding up/ any tips for successful application. Sorry for not doing more research sooner, I've been looking all over for answers and just managed to find one not long after I posted. Typical haha.
-Nick

Green Ghost · #3 (**permalink**) 03-14-2008, 08:42 PM

What are you making your background out of? Expanding foam?

MBS · #4 (**permalink**) 03-15-2008, 12:37 AM

Using that pink insulation board stuff. Will be using GS expanding foam as well, but I want to paint the background so I need something that will go on clear and keep the background in good shape and not leeching anything bad.

Green Ghost · #5 (**permalink**) 03-17-2008, 10:21 PM

Someone else on the board might jump in here with some advice. I don't build mine that way.

MBS · #6 (**permalink**) 03-17-2008, 11:14 PM

Lets hope so. How do you do yours? And do you seal them with anything?

AJS822 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-17-2008, 11:24 PM

google "DIY aquarium backgrounds"

I have found many in the past using the same technique you are describing with the pink insulation foam from this search.

MBS · #8 (**permalink**) 03-17-2008, 11:27 PM

Yeah, I've found lots, just never seen any that used Polyurethane rather than Epoxy Resin. I'll keep looking though.

Rainfrog · #9 (**permalink**) 03-18-2008, 06:31 AM

Look for a good marine epoxy. you can get it in kits and it is made to be used in wet environments and not be toxic once cured. it is a 2 part epoxy. I think a full kit runs about $60.
do a google search for marine epoxy.

Green Ghost · #10 (**permalink**) 03-18-2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBS

Lets hope so. How do you do yours? And do you seal them with anything?

I do mine the typical way with silicone GS and coco fibre.