Some type of liquid or spray that helps stop salt corrosion for a fish tank background?

nightrider1470 · 12 Sep 2012 at 15:19

Notice the abyss in stockport use this in their display tank with real ceramic rock. Looks nice! and I honestly couldnt tell. Even though the stuff they use isn't meant for marine it seems to be holding up

They used Juwel 3D Background stuff http://www.juwel-aquarium.co.uk/aquarium-decoration.html

with my quotes being around £450 for a full background ceramic setup and this stuff costing peanuts compared am wondering if I can get away with it to match with real ceramics at the front.

Your thoughts?..... Juwel said on the phone they cant recommended it due to it not being tested, but where interested to know the abyss has been using it with great results for the last 5 months - maybe some protective coating can be applied to it, just to be sure?

random Example

With real ceramic rock covering up most of it

Thread kinder copied and pasted from a fish forum - just thought someone might know of some substances I could use!

panthro · 12 Sep 2012 at 15:33

Ceramic will not be corroded by salt water. Just make sure that you use silicon adhesive to apply it to the glass. Some people use vinyl over the glass and then stick the ceramic to the vinyl, but I would personally use silicon to stick it directly to the glass.
Juwel are only saying that because its not an affiliated product and they don't want any warranty implications. Some people even apply it to the sides of the tanks too to create a cave effect. Looks really good IMO.

nightrider1470 · 12 Sep 2012 at 15:37

No!!

The top picture is actually a fake rock background made with resin which is not made for salt water tanks, Juwel say they have never tested it

I understand that ceramic wont corrode

The question is, can something be sprayed on the fake 3D background just to act as a protective layer against the salt? just to be safe

I plan to apply the 3D background to all 4 walls for the cave effect you mention

Thanks for your input!

Col_M · 12 Sep 2012 at 15:48

I doubt you'd need anything, salt water won't corrode or dissolve the vast majority of polymer resins. e.g. boats made of GRP don't need any protection from sea water.

Soundood · 12 Sep 2012 at 15:52

any silicon based clear laquer should do it, no?

then seal around edges, to glass. nothing lasts forever, but i am sure it would last for ages.

ps. if your going to put it on 4 walls, how are you going to see in? through the top? :confused:

panthro · 12 Sep 2012 at 15:57

You've got nothing to worry about, with resin or ceramic providing you use silicon as the adhesive. I've done this on several fish tanks and never had a problem

nightrider1470 · 12 Sep 2012 at 16:06

soundood said:
any silicon based clear laquer should do it, no?

then seal around edges, to glass. nothing lasts forever, but i am sure it would last for ages.

ps. if your going to put it on 4 walls, how are you going to see in? through the top?

lol sorry I meant 3 walls!!
back walls and sides

nightrider1470 · 12 Sep 2012 at 16:08

Sounds like this stuff might hold up then, but can anyone think of something that could be sprayed over it though just to act as a extra protective layer and be none toxic with the water ?

panthro · 12 Sep 2012 at 16:32

I cant think of anything that will benefit it or be tank safe. Theres nothing sprayable that will bind together without absorbing into the ceramic.