question

[bigmatt1992]

i dont know how this would work or even at all or if it would be safe but since epoxy drys clear and since i dont have any live rock in my foam wall i wanted to get a quick coralin look to the wall. i was thinking maybe adding purple food coloring lol idk how rediculus this sounds to you guys but it seemed ok to me but i wanted to make sure it would work first ahaha.

 

[cloakerpoked]

I wouldn't do it. Just because it is safe for human consumption doesn't mean that it isn't harmful to fish in an aquarium. It also probably shouldn't last long in a saltwater environment...or at least that would be my thinking.

 

[bmiller1234]

I don't think food color is the best way to go. If it effects the resin and hatdner and doesn't cure bad things might happen.

my idea would be to take some krylon fusion and lightly dust the foam with a few colors to give a more natural look and then epoxy over that. fusion should be fine over the foam as it is low solvent for plastics. Regular rattle can paint will eat the foam similar to gasoline in a styrofoam cup.

 

[Stray32]

Seriously?

 

[bmiller1234]

Seriously?

Care to elaborate?

 

[SirusX1721]

If you want coraline to grow do what I told you to do in the first place. Epoxy the sand/crushed coral onto the foam. Coaline will grow on it. If you want to add color to the epoxy then food coloring MAY work. Once the epoxy dies the food coloring won't leech or anything.

 

[bigmatt1992]

im defintly going to do alot more research on this.

 

[SirusX1721]

A good way to get a coraline growth look is some elmer's glue and food coloring. Mix until you have the color you want then apply where you feel is best. Let dry then re-epoxy the wall. Be sure to cover the colored spots well.

Why elmer's glue? To give the so called "Coraline" some body and to help achieve the color wanted. I would still add some plastic shavings to the mix. This will give the actual coraline something to grow on.

 

[cloakerpoked]

um...I'd just be patient. Only bad things happen quickly in this hobby.

 

[Stray32]

Care to elaborate?

Nope

 

[ironwill723]

I have seen guys use purple Krylon fusion spray paint on dry rock to make them look like they have corralline. That would be the easiest and safest way to add color quickly in my opinion.