Plastic Plant Pots

[Dana C]

This may be a stupid question but I have read on here that people use plant pots as caves in their tanks and was wondering if it was safe to use the plastic ones, as somebody told me the plastic could be toxic to the fish if it wasn't made for aqurium use.

I have one ready to use which I have tied some Java moss to but am now worried to put it in my tank.

Has anybody else used one or know if it will be ok?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[riverman444]

Will it sink?


I am not an expert when it comes to the chemical composition of plastic, but as long as it's clean I don't see why a plastic pot would harm the fish unless it has sharp edges or a small opening.

 

[Dana C]

It will sink if I lay it on it's side and put it half in the sand, I was just worried it would be toxic.
Thanks for your reply.

 

[oneponygirl]

I too have heard that the plastic can leach stuff into the water. I have clay plant pots in two of my tanks.

 

[Shuggieboy]

Ive had a plastic plant pot in my tank for some considerable time and often check parameters of the water and it doesnt seem to show any changes from the test kit readings, although i do suppose there are plenty of other aspects of the water that these aquarium test kits do not read.

 

[@ombomb]

Why not just use a ceramic one? Plastic pots would be a bit of an eye sore imo.

 

[Dana C]

Thanks for all your comments, I think I will go and buy a ceramic one instead just to be on the safe side.

 

[Shuggieboy]

Plastic or Ceramic, who cares? both are an eyesore, i like my tank to look as natural as possible thats why my pot is disguised underneath lots of plants and bogwood, can hardly notice it.

 

[Dana C]

I have tied some Java moss to my plant pot so it will blend in the plants when the moss grows, but even without the moss I don't think it looks that bad.
My cories seem to like it as there are always a couple resting in there.

 

[Die_Grinder]

beware you can get some plant pot that are coated on the outside to stop slugs crawling up and eating the plants. the chems used are not too good for the fish

 

[Dana C]

Thanks for that,
the one I got just said terracota plant pot (sorry for the spelling) it was only about 50p so I wouldn't have thought they had done anything to it but it's good to know for the future.