Are These Things Safe For An Aquarium?

[Galanta]

In another thread somebody clarified for me that it is ok to use a regular terra cotta pot from a garden store in an aquarium, even a glazed one, if one does not break it. Does this mean that ceramics in general are safe? I.e. Pier One is having a sale right now and they have these adorable leaf-shaped bowls which look like they would make a great cave if turned upside down on a slant. I expected them closely and they are. Glazed all around except the part that would touch the table, which is unfinished.

And what about glass? It seems that anything encased in clear glass or colored glass (not painted) should be safe. I have had a little red glass heart in my bowl for 2 month w/o any problem. But then there is glass with metallic sheen and that stuff seems scary. The other thing I saw at Pier 1 were these cermic twisting shells laying on their side which were just begging to be use as caves, but it the glaze is not just plain, but rather with a slight mother of pearl sheen. If I could have been certain that it was safe, I would have bought it right then and there ... (sigh)

Oh and what about plastic? Is it safe as long as it is colored plastic and not painted and not glued?

Anyways, does anybody know? Has anyone tried?

 

[loraxchick]

plain old terricota that you find in any store will be fine. give it a good wash in hot water (or boil it for a few minutes if you are super paranoid about it) and plop it in...never had a prob with terracota. glass is another great option. just make sure its nice and clean(do not use detergents like soap or any kind of glass cleaner on it...just a good wrinse in HOT water should do you fine...as for plastic, more pourous and algae might accumulate better, but safe if there are no sharp edges on it for fish to catch themselves on, and it is cleaned without detergens or cleaners.

on way to sterilize things (other than boiling) is to make a bleach solution. wrinse it good in that and then let air dry...again, fo rthe super paranoid, then give it a good swish in highly dechlorinated water (after it has dried....chlorine evaporates from the bleach)
. as lo
for bleach solution mis t Tbsp/ gal of water, or so...i have even used straight bleach when cleaning algae off of things..as long as it dries out completely youre good to go. (will NOT leave residue like cleaners wil)
good luck

 

[Galanta]

Thank you for this very detailed and very helpful reply. I take this as a "no" on kitchen ceramics like glazed mugs or bowls then ...

 

[loraxchick]

you;d have to know what type of glaze was used...certain substances are used in achieving the color glaze will give off after firing in a kiln..so copper is a no no if you have inverts...and some glazes still used lead and other "dangerous" elements...best to get an unglazed pot...but these are pretty cheap!

 

[Galanta]

Makes sense. Thanks a lot for the clarification.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Galanta

Ordinary terra cotta is fine, as is glass and anything that's safe for humans to eat from. I would not trust anything glazed, especially from someplace like Pier 1. It's just not worth the risk.

 

[Galanta]

Dear Inchworm, Thanks and agree - not worth the risk. : )

 

[Honeythorn]

There was someone on here who used a clean coffee mug for a betta cave . Which was an amusing twist on the cave design and would suit the kind of tank with coloured gravel or glass pebbles as the substrate.

 

[meguro]

Glazed pots are fine. Just don't break or chip them.

 

[afishdude]

I have always used small ceramic pots, non glazed and have never had a problem.

 

[Galanta]

Wow cool! I really like the mug idea - of course I'm generally a wacky person ... : )