Blacking out DIY DWC containers.

Vildez

Active Member

• Nov 22, 2021

• #1

Hey guys / gals

Trying to get recommendations on what to use to black out clear tote containers that I get from my local store. I have purchased regular black paint for interior walls as well as spray paint for designed for plastic and it seems I have to put like 10 coats on it before it is truly blacked out. Worst of all it just ends up flaking off when I am doing res changes etc.. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

rkymtnman

Well-Known Member

• Nov 22, 2021

• #2

can you not get black totes? that would be the easiest

 

Creature1969

Well-Known Member

• Nov 22, 2021

• #3

If you wanna stick with what you got? Thick aluminum tape, 3" wide.

 

Vildez

Active Member

• Nov 22, 2021

• #4

rkymtnman said:

can you not get black totes? that would be the easiest

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I can get black totes for sure. However, they simply way to big for what I want to do. I'm using like a 2 1/2 maybe 3 gallon tote. Those other ones are huge.

 

myke

Well-Known Member

• Nov 22, 2021

• #5

Huge is what you want,more water = less top ups and less pH fluctuate.

 

Johiem

Well-Known Member

• Nov 22, 2021

• #6

Aluminum tape works wonders, basic duck tape can do the job. If you're painting on plastic usually surface preparation, sanding, is a must.

 

vostok

Well-Known Member

• Nov 22, 2021

• #7

Vildez said:

Hey guys / gals

Trying to get recommendations on what to use to black out clear tote containers that I get from my local store. I have purchased regular black paint for interior walls as well as spray paint for designed for plastic and it seems I have to put like 10 coats on it before it is truly blacked out. Worst of all it just ends up flaking off when I am doing res changes etc.. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Click to expand...

kitchen foil and glue(use the crappy paint as glue) ...lol

 

Johiem

Well-Known Member

• Nov 22, 2021

• #8

Also @myke knows what he's taking about. I ran 5 gallon totes with 2.5 gallons of solution and was forever fighting Ph.

 

rkymtnman

Well-Known Member

• Nov 22, 2021

• #9

Vildez said:

I can get black totes for sure. However, they simply way to big for what I want to do. I'm using like a 2 1/2 maybe 3 gallon tote. Those other ones are huge.

Click to expand...

have you done a small container sized DWC before?

 

Johiem

Well-Known Member

• Nov 22, 2021

• #10

What kind of space are we talking about here? My upgrade from 5 gallon totes to 7.5 gallon totes, effectively doubling my rez resolved some of the Ph swing and took up about the same space. I even made a post here in R.I.U. about going to 7.5 gal bins.

 

Mr. Mohaskey

Well-Known Member

• Nov 23, 2021

• #11

Plastidip will work. I used that on my yellow lids. Creates a nice rubber surface barrier that wont flake.

 

D

DaFreak

Well-Known Member

• Nov 23, 2021

• #12

Seriously, just go online and get the perfect size and color you want. You’ll be happy in the long run.