latex paint

[Leanna Wright]

[Elaine T]

Leanna Wright wrote:
> Please help with any info. My friend has a cement pool that he keeps his
> goldfish in until they are big enough to go to in- ground pond . I
> suggested he paint it blue, and his goldfish would really look pretty
> for upcoming wedding. He used latex paint and now thinks the paint is
> what killed the fish he put in there. He filled with city water and let
> set 2 days before adding fish. So was it the paint or the water? I feel
> really bad. Please help.
> Fiest 62
>

First, please don't post attachments to usenet groups, unless you're
posting to a binary group. Many servers strip posts with attachments.

Either thing could have killed the fish. Latex paints aren't designed
for underwater use so your friend didn't do his research. Some are
nontoxic to people when cured, but I don't know that any are fish safe.

As for water, if your city uses chloramines rather that chlorine in the
water, the water must be chemically treated to make it safe for fish.
Sitting for two days will only break down chlorine. However, your
friend probably knows how to treat your local water so I doubt that was
the problem.

Your friend is going to need to drain the pond again and cover the latex
with some sort of sealant both to keep the latex from breaking down
underwater and to be sure the pond is safe for fish. There is a fish
safe epoxy resin called Koi Kote that is designed for painting cement
ponds. http://www.koi-kote.com/index.htm

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[bassett]

Also painting outside ponds is not a good idea, as the Herons and
Kingfishers, can spot the fish from a mile up.
bassett

"Elaine T" > wrote in message
m...
> Leanna Wright wrote:
>> Please help with any info. My friend has a cement pool that he keeps his
>> goldfish in until they are big enough to go to in- ground pond . I
>> suggested he paint it blue, and his goldfish would really look pretty
>> for upcoming wedding. He used latex paint and now thinks the paint is
>> what killed the fish he put in there. He filled with city water and let
>> set 2 days before adding fish. So was it the paint or the water? I feel
>> really bad. Please help.
>> Fiest 62
>>
>
> First, please don't post attachments to usenet groups, unless you're
> posting to a binary group. Many servers strip posts with attachments.
>
> Either thing could have killed the fish. Latex paints aren't designed for
> underwater use so your friend didn't do his research. Some are nontoxic
> to people when cured, but I don't know that any are fish safe.
>
> As for water, if your city uses chloramines rather that chlorine in the
> water, the water must be chemically treated to make it safe for fish.
> Sitting for two days will only break down chlorine. However, your friend
> probably knows how to treat your local water so I doubt that was the
> problem.
>
> Your friend is going to need to drain the pond again and cover the latex
> with some sort of sealant both to keep the latex from breaking down
> underwater and to be sure the pond is safe for fish. There is a fish safe
> epoxy resin called Koi Kote that is designed for painting cement ponds.
> http://www.koi-kote.com/index.htm
>
> --
> Elaine T __
> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
> rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Logic316]

bassett wrote:

>>Either thing could have killed the fish. Latex paints aren't designed for
>>underwater use so your friend didn't do his research. Some are nontoxic
>>to people when cured, but I don't know that any are fish safe.

My guess is the problem was chloramine. Modern latex paint, due to tons
of government restrictions, has very little toxicity (especially when
compared to the old-fashioned oil enamels) and is really nothing but
harmless rubber and pigment once it dries. But although typical latex
housepaint is good at withstanding dampness, it'll break down, soften,
and peel off pretty soon if constantly exposed to water - unless it's a
specific type of latex paint designed to be a water sealer (like what
you'd use on a basement wall to retard dampness and seepage). But look
at the bright side - if it's a flat latex you put on it, it will at
least act as a primer ensuring better adhesion and easier application of
whatever sealer you decide to put on the cement.

- Logic316



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