Will Pay To Have Dry Rock Painted Purple

[ctrigger]

I am looking to have my dry rock painted purple to look like aquacultured live rock. It is 100lbs and is only 2 pieces so not a bunch of small pieces. It is currently bright white and will be in a fish only system so I do not want to bleach every month. Are branch in shape, anyone that knows what type of paint and has done it before can do these fairly quick. Need someone with experience in doing a do it yourself project similar to this- thanks!!

[jvilla58]

Yea you probably shouldn't do that. It would clog up pores and ruin the point of using rock. Just get the fake coral inserts if you want instant purple.

[jvilla58]

But if you must. I would use an acrylic base paint.

[jkennedy1007]

1+ paint bad move
you cover up the pours on live rock that naturally filter tank
bad idea

wish ya the best of luck

[ctrigger]

Thanks but I have excellent biological filtration and not concerned about clogging up pores, this rock is for decoration and to provide a place for fish to feel safe when I turn lights off.. This branch rock is unique and expensive so the point is to show it off..

[KorL]

Look into Real Reef Rock.

[inthedeep2]

This branch rock is unique and expensive so the point is to show it off..

this is something to remember once you paint it, the rock will not be desirable any more by most people that are looking for branch rock if and when you decide that you are going to sell it.

[acbaldwin]

I believe epoxy with color pigment added is the way to go.

[Squid]

Bleach the rocks every month? Paint the rock? sounds like you need to do some research, what your suggesting is pretty crazy

[ctrigger]

Well Squid, bleaching rock every month to get rid of algae is no different than the way local fish stores bleach the fake corals in the fish only display tanks or they're micron bags... So once my bright white rock turns brown I am supposed to just throw it away?

[Bogg]

Plus one Carl look into real reef rock
I also recommend leaving alone but were alL reefers here not really bunch of Fowlr guys

[Reef137]

Thanks but I have excellent biological filtration and not concerned about clogging up pores, this rock is for decoration and to provide a place for fish to feel safe when I turn lights off.. This branch rock is unique and expensive so the point is to show it off..

I am curious to see photo(s) of the rock.

[purdy]

Or you could let the natural cycle of things work. All my rock was dead when I got it, added biological to the tank to seed it. Once it was seeded it turned brown, then dark green/brown and now coralline (the purple algae that has the look you're after) is starting to grow. If you have great biological then try adding some purple up. Go to a LFS, ask them for some rubble that has coralline on it, place that in your tank and dose with purple up.

[FDdragon]

I would say that if the rock you are trying to paint is unique and expensive...why paint it and drop the quality of it? I have used supplements to help coralline growth and it has worked well for me. I would wait it out to get good growth. The fish will still feel safe and the rock will be more desirable with the natural coralline on it.

If you aren't concerned about your current filtration then why not sell the unique rock and use that money to buy a fake insert/rock to serve the purpose you are looking for...and you wont have to worry about the effects of the paint.

Just my 2 cents, but in the end its your decision. If you are set on painting the rock then do it. I have used Fusion spray to paint some overflows before and never had an issue.

[Bogg]

Plus one Carl look into real reef rock
I also recommend leaving rock alone but were all reefers here not really bunch of Fowlr guys