sanding and finishes

[borderraider]

ive had to mod my existing stand to fit an external filter but now im left with a section of unfinished wood that was previously hidden. I haven't got a whole lot of room to put the tank while i work on the stand. If im planning on using a varnish sealer is it in anyway safe to do this with a tank full of fish on top. Its a low VOC formula if that makes any difference?

Also i need to sand the section back, i dont want to stress the fish if there still on the stand. Would hand sanding be any better or should i just make room and move the tank for both?

 

[chemicall]

Go buy a roll of painters plastic, aerate the tank really good, then turn air pump off and wrap the tank in the painters plastic. Go nuts sanding. after sanding and the dusts drops I would aerate again and open the plastic a bit to let any tank gases out. then re-wrap and put on your top coat of whatever you want to use on the stand.

There are water based varnishes now also, very low in smell and fast drying.