How to paint in fish room?

[Whiterabbitrage]

If you need to paint the walls in the same room as your DT is in, what do you do? Open lots of windows? Skim like crazy? Pray?

 

[Sk8r]

Some paints are worse than others. But for paint or bug spray I would ventilate with more than one powerful room fans, wrap the tank in plastic, cut off lights and heaters [if done before cold weather] and return pump, and do an air-bubbler line driven by an air pump that is NOT in the room with the paint.

 

[intyme]

Are you spraying? If yes then cover everything. Like sk8r said

 

[thegrun]

I've done it a few times over the years and never had an issue. Use a latex paint and good ventilation and you should not have a problem.

 

[toothybugs]

I've done it a few times over the years and never had an issue. Use a latex paint and good ventilation and you should not have a problem.

Barring a trace of ammonia for pH control in the latex (which is what gives off most of the stink), a latex paint will not put off anything that will harm a tank. But it's nice to ventilate as much as you can for the ammonia.

Spray cans, however, are a no-no, as are varnishes, polyurethanes, etc.

 

[foundnemo11]

I would maybe run skimmer air tube outside or to another room. I wouldn't want to suckling fumes into my tank.

 

[billdogg]

When we had out house painted I just asked the painter ( a poker buddy) to try not to get paint in the tank. I've never had a problem at all.

 

[Whiterabbitrage]

Thank you so much, guys. It will be over Xmas, it will be latex, and not sprayed. I'll roll the paint on, use fans to ventilate, and run the skimmer intake, and bubbler outside. Sound ok? Anything else anyone can think of?
Thanks again for all the tips, and for the reassurance from those who have done this.

 

[James77]

You will be fine with latex paint. Worst thing could be your skimmer acting batty. Best turn it off for the short time it takes latex paint to dry.

But do still ventilate, ideally a common window fan drawing air to the outside with other windows in the room and house open.