To Decorate Or Not To Decorate

Before I got my tank, two years ago now, I really should have decorated the living room before setting it up.  However, here we are two years later and I've still not decorated and believe me it was quite a few years before I got my tank that I did decorate (apologies to those who decorate every couple of years!)

I really should now, but I really don't want to!! And given the issues I had a Christmas I'm even more loathed to do anything that could upset the tank.

I can't bear the thought of having to totally empty it to move it and it could only be move about 15 feet into the kitchen which opens directly into the living room anyway!

I've heard some folk move with just some water at the bottom but I think the tank might be too big for even that?

Is there any safe way? Could the tank be moved with the fish and some water (I've got wooden floors) and would moving only to the kitchen really make any different. I fear I might need to forego decorating for some years to come but I'd rather that than do someone that causes the gang harm. 

Hi @Lynne W

This may seem like a silly question but why do you need to move the tank? What are your concerns? Paint fumes? Painting behind the tank/cabinet? Replacing the carpet?

JPC

Hi @Lynne W

Quote from: Lynne W on January 27, 2020, 04:32:37 PM

...apologies to those who decorate every couple of years!

Every couple of years! The paint's only just nicely dried by then! 
JPC

Couldn't agree more! 

Quote from: jaypeecee on January 27, 2020, 05:46:59 PM

Hi @Lynne W

This may seem like a silly question but why do you need to move the tank? What are your concerns? Paint fumes? Painting behind the tank/cabinet? Replacing the carpet?

JPC

Hiya, it's paint fumes, I'd happily not paint behind the tank, if I thought the paint fumes wouldn't harm them. So I was assuming to be safe I'd need to get the tank out of the room.

Hi @Lynne W

OK, that makes sense. But, it would appear that some companies produce 'Zero VOC Paints'. No, I didn't know about these until now. I discovered the following:

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/feb/09/eco-natural-paints-guide-best

https://www.ecospaints.net

https://www.little-knights.co.uk/pages/voc-free-paint

https://earthbornpaints.co.uk/faq/are-earthborn-paints-voc-free/

I'll certainly consider switching to these new paint formulations in future.

Please keep us updated.

JPC

My son has just moved into his new house and is horrified by the previous owners painting round the fridge rather than behind it and leaving a different coloured patch on his kitchen wall 


If you really must not paint behind it  do it on a day when you can leave all the widows and doors open, preferably when there is also a breeze to blow through the room. Cover the tank with a thick blanket or towel. Run a small internal filter filled with carbon or Poly-Filter from before you start painting till a few days afterwards.

thanks all @jaypeecee I'll do some reading up on these paints, I wasn't aware such a thing existed.

@fcmf I'll not be doing anything immediately need to work myself up to it! So I'll wait to hear from you.

I can do the small internal filter @Sue and I'm going to get the poly-filter, but @Matt I don't have a air pump but I'll happily get one to help matters so would I feed the air into the water or just into the space under the lid, or does it not matter?

 

PS I may always chicken out, not a fan of decorating so at least now I've got a valid excuse!!

You can also use a layer of clingfilm over the top of the tank to make it as airtight as possible while painting & removing fumes. This does take a bit of effort and some sellotape, but it's just another layer of precaution.

Great stuff guys sounds like cunning plan taking shape, I'm liable to go overboard and take on board all your comments, won't get round to it still the weather gets a bit better, it's a bit cold just now to have windows and doors open, had snow today!

Hopefully I'll be able to get a similar colour to what we've got now which is pretty neutral so it won't be too obvious if anyone was to look behind the tank @Sue just don't tell your son  although the chances of me ever moving is exceedingly unlikely, so it's only you guys that'll know my secret 

Bit of planning ahead, but nothing like what @Littlefish you had to do for your move, I'll let you all know how I get on when I finally get round to it.

Thanks again all.