Food coloring

[Calif-Reef]

Hope this isn't to stupid of a question. On the truck forums I am an administrator on I always tell the members the only stupid question is the one not asked.
I am resetting up my 300 gal reef tank, I am doing the plumbing different. I am coming up through the bottom of the tank. I am going to fill the tank up with tap water and let it run for a week or so to see if it leaks. Before I drain it I wanted to put some food coloring in right before the pump to see where my flow is going and how it circulates. My question is will the food coloring hurt anything? Will it stain my acrylic tank?
I know it won't give me a true flow because I won't have my live rock in,
thanks

[Mizer67]

I know acrylic absorbs water over time. Not sure if it would absorb enough diluted food coloring to stain, but I don't think I would take the chance. Just my opinion, no real fact to back up the decision.

[Calif-Reef]

Originally Posted by Mizer67

I know acrylic absorbs water over time. Not sure if it would absorb enough diluted food coloring to stain, but I don't think I would take the chance. Just my opinion, no real fact to back up the decision.

I would drain it within a hour of putting the food coloring in

[bb0029]

You could use some of that Purple up or something similar that makes the water cloudy. I personally use the purple up because when you poor it in it clouds the water and you can see what is going where. I do this when I adjust the outlets for my pump.

[Doug1]

Originally Posted by bb0029

You could use some of that Purple up or something similar that makes the water cloudy. I personally use the purple up because when you poor it in it clouds the water and you can see what is going where. I do this when I adjust the outlets for my pump.

Pouring Purple up into FW would be a waste, I think you'll be fine with the food color if you dont leave it any any long time

[motorslave]

Probably be okay but if its a used tank and has any scrathes I wonder if the coloring would stick in the scratches. Quick removal and a wipe down with a rag or sponge would be a good idea.

[Calif-Reef]

Originally Posted by motorslave

Probably be okay but if its a used tank and has any scrathes I wonder if the coloring would stick in the scratches. Quick removal and a wipe down with a rag or sponge would be a good idea.

I had the tank up and running for over 5 years. Took it down to do a remodel last year. Tank Does have some scratches.
Maybe this isn't such a good idea.

[motorslave]

Yeah I don't know how that stuff will stick to a scratch or rough surface. Sure would suck if it turned out bad.
Hey, maybe you could go to a plastics shop and get a small piece of acrylic scrap to test on? I have had similar ideas of testing flow but never thought of a good agent to use for visualization.

[Calif-Reef]

Originally Posted by motorslave

Yeah I don't know how that stuff will stick to a scratch or rough surface. Sure would suck if it turned out bad.
Hey, maybe you could go to a plastics shop and get a small piece of acrylic scrap to test on? I have had similar ideas of testing flow but never thought of a good agent to use for visualization.

That is actually A good idea. I have a 3inch by 18 inch piece I uses as a bridge support. It has been in the tank since day one. It has fine scratches on it. I will put some food coloring in a 5 gal bucket of water and let it soak for a while and see what happens.
Thanks

[motorslave]

Originally Posted by Calif-Reef

That is actually A good idea. I have a 3inch by 18 inch piece I uses as a bridge support. It has been in the tank since day one. It has fine scratches on it. I will put some food coloring in a 5 gal bucket of water and let it soak for a while and see what happens.
Thanks

Let us know, this may be a good way to test flow! Hope it works.

[Loverotties]

Hope it works! What a great Idea!P.S. which truck site?I go to Trailvoy all the time.

[Calif-Reef]

Originally Posted by Loverotties

Hope it works! What a great Idea!P.S. which truck site?I go to Trailvoy all the time.

I will put the piece of acyilic in food coloring this weekend and keep it in for a couple of weeks. I figure if it doesn't stain it in two weeks than a few hours that it will. Be in my tank shouldn't hurt.what do you guys think?

I am an admin on the site Denalitrucks.com
and I am a member of Performancetrucks.net

[Loverotties]

Cool!

[Reeftanker3295]

Sounds like a plan to me! Hope it works out for you.

[Jadinop]

An easier and less risky way to see the flow in a tank visually is air bubbles. Get yourself some airstones and place them safely near the return pump or closed loop inlets. This will fill the tank with micro air bubbles and allow you to see how the water is swirling around.