Painting PVC Pipes

[zhasan]

Hi All, I'm in the process of setting up the new display.

I really like the look of colored PVC pipes, however, I don't have the appetite for spending an arm and a leg ordering them from states. I think the one canadian outfit I was looking at didn't have the 2 inch pipe available in color.

I'm planning on painting the pipes. Has anyone done that? How was your experience?

My only fear is the potential of toxins leaching in the water from the paint at a later point in time or even right from the beginning.

I saw a video on YouTube of someone using Krylon Fusion (http://www.krylon.ca/products/fusion-for-plastic/).

I'm looking to go this route but want to see if someone has already done something similar or may have other ideas...

Thanks,

Zee

[SoloSK71]

It won't leach through the pipe, especially Schedule 40 or above, but unless all your joints are perfect you will risk getting it inside the pipe, and then it may cause problems. It may also get inside unions, bulkheads, valves, etc. and cause issues there also.

For all the extra work, why not just get the pipe from FORMUFIT (or another manufacturer) or BRS directly? How much pipe are we talking about?

Charles

[DKoKoMan]

what colour do you want the pipes? Keep in mind salt creep looks worse on darker pipe.

[monocus]

use krylon spray paint.get it at Canadian tire

[Ryanerickson]

I used krylon fusion only painted pipes no fitting. you should sand pipe ends before you glue. the primer will melt thru the paint and make a mess if you don't. I personally think trying to paint the fitting would make a mess and look like crap. Another option would be to use grey sch80 fitting it would look great but they cost lots.
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab208/ryan_erickson/20161229_101106_zpsesuxbfdl.jpg

[DKoKoMan]

^ Thats a nice plumbing setup. Is that an algae scrubber lit up?

[zhasan]

what colour do you want the pipes? Keep in mind salt creep looks worse on darker pipe.

I'm going for red pipes with white fittings.

use krylon spray paint.get it at Canadian tire

thats exactly what I am planning on donig.

It won't leach through the pipe, especially Schedule 40 or above, but unless all your joints are perfect you will risk getting it inside the pipe, and then it may cause problems. It may also get inside unions, bulkheads, valves, etc. and cause issues there also.

For all the extra work, why not just get the pipe from FORMUFIT (or another manufacturer) or BRS directly? How much pipe are we talking about?

Charles

Formufit doesn't have the size I need in color. I love the furniture grade finish on their pipes.

BRS carries the sizes I need but only in 5' length which means I'll need at least 2 lenghts of each which are already priced much higher than standard PVC and then the US exchange. After I add the shipping, I'm looking at paying about 4-5 times what I would pay for everything locally.

It'll be time consuming but will give me the DIY satisfaction and gratification :smile:

[zhasan]

I used krylon fusion only painted pipes no fitting. you should sand pipe ends before you glue. the primer will melt thru the paint and make a mess if you don't. I personally think trying to paint the fitting would make a mess and look like crap. Another option would be to use grey sch80 fitting it would look great but they cost lots.
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab208/ryan_erickson/20161229_101106_zpsesuxbfdl.jpg

My plan is identical to what you have done! Looks awesome.

Great idea with lighting up the reactor.... looks cool. I'm assuming thats one of those chinese LED strips? I'm ordering one of those as well to light up the stand.

[Ryanerickson]

Yeah it's a cheato reactor just a vertex reactor with cheap led strip from amazon with cheato in it growing pretty good.

[duncangweller]

That's a great idea with the chaeto reactor. Stops unwanted algae growing in your sump from an overhead lamp

[DKoKoMan]

Yeah it's a cheato reactor just a vertex reactor with cheap led strip from amazon with cheato in it growing pretty good.

That's sweet! Lots of people have had good success with those stopping unwanted algae growth in the DT.