Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi everyone. If polystyrene boards are used, should they be coated with paint or something. I think I read that its a good idea to coat them with something to prevent water logging and sun damage. What products are used?

ANEEE ONE??

I think it would be a good idea for the UV protection.

I used a water based rubberized paint on the surfaces subject to constant water and a high grade white acrylic on the surfaces exposed to sunlight.

Can you guys suggest any products? Or should I just fudge it and not use anything because the foam boards are so cheap?

I mean the boards are like 10 bucks for a 2x4 sheet. I'd hate to paint on 50 buck of paint over it.

What do you guys think?

I assume you are making rafts?
Don't see water logging as a serious problem (depending on the quality of the poly) Don't like UV degradation as is does release some of the chemicals, we have high levels of UV in OZ.
I buy acrylic paint (the outdoor stuff) secondhand. Personally, and this is just an opinion I would just paint the tops (yellow would be nice possibly distracting for aphids ) and thats it.

Ok thanks! I looked up some pool acrylic paint and it wasn't too bad. 40 bucks a gallon and covers 200 square feet. Only blue though...

yes I am making rafts.

One minor point, the acrylic will tend to make plastic pots stick to it a bit even when dry for quite a while.

It's a closed cell foam.
Water logging will not occur.
If in the sun, UV protection may help
personally I'd cover it in something like plywood or sheetmetal. It's not the strongest of stuff.
Of course if it's for floating raft, then a sealant or paint would be good. Beware that oil based sealants don't eat the styrene.
More information would help of course. Like what you want it for. Your question is a touch vague.

Oops just realised I never posted this, it was written this am, could be redundant now. If so, my apologies

Thanks Kudapucat, the foam is for rafts in DWC beds. I read that depending on the foam it can waterlog and also degrade from UV and should be coated. I was just wondering what people are doing and if its even worth it since the foam is so cheap (ignoring the environmental impact or waste).

If especially worried, throw a bit or rubber pond liner over it. Then it won't suffer from UV.
If the foam is expanded polystyrene, and won't recover from being squashed, then it is most definitely closed cell, and does not need to be sealed. I'd be worried about UV degradation leaching into my tank much more than the cost of polystyrene sheets.
Environmental problems here are usually in reference to your system. If pollution is bad enough to be significant on a larger scale, your fish are usually dead.

I meant the environmental impact being that I should use as little foam as possible. Painting them would make them last longer and in the end I would use less creating less waste. Polystyrene never goes away.

Thank kuda, I'll think about it. Rubber or paint...

I remember earthbound saying that he used latex paint.

I remember ppl asking what he used the left over for.

Man this is getting more confusing.

Rubber, acrylic paint or latex paint or nothing at all? Yikes!