I have a few questions regarding making DIY aquarium decorations. Since you can use non-glazed clay flower pots safely, can you use other fired ceramic objects? If so, can they be painted and coated in something that is aquarium safe? Or must they be glazed before being fired? I don't want to spend $60 for marine epoxy for one or two ornaments but have some ideas for my cichlid tank that I just can't find at the local LFS or even ebay! Any help is appreciated :)
2007-03-25 06:52:29 · 3 answers · asked by Barb R 5 in Pets ➔ Fish
You really should not use the clay pots since they leach minerals into the water. Fired ceramics which are not dry footed can be used with much success.
Aquarium safe paints can also be use, however be careful on what you are painting.
Decorate your fish tank to your taste not what someone else thinks.
2007-03-28 06:25:15 · answer #1 · answered by kenssealer 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like the cave wasn't designed for water. If it was sold to you as a fish tank ornament you should take it back. Commercially made items would be painted with a marine epoxy or model hobby epoxy paint which needs to cure for a minimum of two weeks before use in the tank. It's not just the paint you need to be concerned about, it's what you are going to paint. If the wrong paint is used or the item being painted is not inert, you are in for problems. I would stick as much as possible to plastic as modeling a material, but terracotta is great as well. Use aquarium silicone if you need adhesive. Whatever you decide to make think about your fish. It needs to be free of sharp edges (if you can't run a piece of pantyhose over it without snagging don't put it in the tank) and designed so your fish could never get trapped. Please do not consider this as approval of your plan as it's so easy to make a mistake. However if done right and with skill the results can be fantastic.
2016-03-29 04:10:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think I would leave off the glaze and/or paint and it should be fine. Those expensive tank decorations are gawdy and completely unnecessary. A more natural look and environment is better. Glass is inert, marbles and or glass beads add color, the fish are the stars of the show anyway. I have very little on the bottom of my tank.
2007-03-25 09:06:32 · answer #3 · answered by Sunday P 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋