I would search fish forums on this subject.. fish are very sensitive.

Your best bet is always water-based paints, then a clear coating that dries or cures non-toxic. Much more peace-of-mind.

Alot of folks paint the foam with a thin mixture of grout and water, a few coats to seal the foam. Then they paint with water-based paints to give the desired look. Then they seal it all with a Mod-Podge-type sealer, which dries non-toxic. However, these are for backgrounds that are not continuously exposed to moisture, like for snake and leopard gecko cages.

The Mod-Podge stuff is great. There are a few varieties, one of which is an outdoor-rated coating. I have used it to cover some wood furniture in a snake cage. Completely non-toxic, handles occasional cleaning, but not for constant moisture contact.

Youtube has examples of backgrounds and materials used.

Amazon sells a background that is thin, strong and seems to work great even in aquariums. It can be cut as well.

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