Painting Large Rocks

I was looking for some large black lava rock 5-10 inches but no rock yards or landscaping supply has black lava rock other than the small 2-3 inch ones. Any large black rocks would work but lava was simply the cheapest and luckily the coolest imo. The aquarium safe rocks I did find wanted like 5$ a lb or 20-30 apiece. But checking shipping online was OMG expensive.

Now I'm simply willing to use any aquarium safe rock and paint it black. Maybe if I call around I can find large red lava rock and simply paint it...I've heard of tons of people using krylon paint for plastic on pvc in their aquariums but was wondering if that would work on rocks or if there is any other paints that would be better for rocks. I've also read ANY non toxic paint as long as it wasn't oil based would be fine. Doesn't seem to be much info online in painting aquarium rocks

Anyone have any ideas?

Edit Note: I need to have this done by Christmas and after boiling lava rock I wonder if I would have enough time for it to dry out AND the paint to cure by then... Any Suggestions on different types of black rocks I wouldn't have to paint or even nonblack rocks would be great too if they're cheap or reasonable like granite or something.

 

I have heard people paint the sides of their glass tanks but I dotn know what they use.... I wonder how long until the paint would peel? Maybe test some in water.

 

You'd have more luck connecting the small black lava rock together to make pieces you want than painting it.
Stainless steel or other aquarium safe metal would be the easiest using rods and driving them into the rock to keep them together.

 

Glue, screw or stack some lava rocks. Personally, I wouldn't put anything painting into my tanks even though there probably are paints that are safe. I feel like if I were going that route Id just go to petco and buy some plastic stuff.

 

Glue, screw or stack some lava rocks. Personally, I wouldn't put anything painting into my tanks even though there probably are paints that are safe. I feel like if I were going that route Id just go to petco and buy some plastic stuff.

I don't get it You wouldn't do something if it were safe you would simply buy incredibly expensive aquarium decoration. if you have that kind of money I guess cool bro, idk are you saying is should too? I'm all kinds of confused.

You'd have more luck connecting the small black lava rock together to make pieces you want than painting it.
Stainless steel or other aquarium safe metal would be the easiest using rods and driving them into the rock to keep them together.

I totally though about it as a side idea but it wouldn't help the current idea. Though it would look like a large mound of small rocks I'm currently working on a large mound of large rocks.

Ok..I will begin to search what kind of paints are used on aquarium gravel and aquarium decoration and equipment. Basically look at the known safe paints and see if they can be applied to large rocks and what kind of sealant if any would help flaking or keep plecos from gnawing. tah dah So simple I can't believe I didn't think of it.

 

I have heard people paint the sides of their glass tanks but I dotn know what they use.... I wonder how long until the paint would peel? Maybe test some in water.

THey paint the outside of the tank with any black paint usually. Never heard of painting the inside.

 

Yes you paint the outside lol. I use a few layers of charcoal black acrylic paint, using a small roller.

 

I don't get it You wouldn't do something if it were safe you would simply buy incredibly expensive aquarium decoration. if you have that kind of money I guess cool bro, idk are you saying is should too? I'm all kinds of confused.

I'm saying I don't put anything artificial in my tank. I know there are paints that are considered "safe", but you couldn't pay me to paint a real rock to look like a different rock and put it into my aquarium. If I were going to do that Id just buy a fake plastic rock. If you want large lava rocks go buy a bag of "grilling" rocks at your local hardware store and put some together or stack them. A 10lb bag is usually $6 bucks at my local hardware store.

 

They use concrete pigment in the DIY back drops, maybe try that on the rocks? It comes in black.

 

Here. Affordable lava rock safe for your aquarium