DennisP Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 I'm considering how to darken my tank, and since I have some black spray paint laying around, it could be used. The light is a juwel korall light, and doesn't get as hot as other fluorescents that I have used. So how safe would it be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 I don't think it's a good idea. Very few paints stay attached to glass, especially where any heat is present. I think it wouldn't take long for your fish to be eating paint chips... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Why does it need to be darkened? If you need to stop algae growth, raise the light. If you're going for a blackwater biotope, get a new lighting system, add tannins to the water or put a piece of black linen or material on the tank lid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisP Posted January 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Going for a blackwater, I'll see what I can do with some cloth I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoon Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 i did it about 5 years ago still on the bulb as far as i know used the cheapest black spraypaint i could find it worked well you may find you need to do a few light coats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 could also blanket the top in duckweed if you can find it, the light will only sneak through the gaps I have seen on one of Zev's threads (might find it if you search on her name and daphnia together) that she covered part of her bulb with foil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 If anything, having bright light in a blackwater biotope is a good thing because it allows you to see the fish clearly and take decent photos of them When I used to have lots of oak leaves and tannins in the 140L tank I still struggled at times to take decent photos of the fish and the aquarium was illuminated with a 6,700K 150w halide on a magnetic ballast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr A Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 You can get high temp spray-paint for rust protection etc that can withstand constantly high temps. It's pretty cheap too if I recall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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