Preparing a plant pot for the tank...

[Sye]

I have bought myself a 15cm plant pot for my fish tank(allot cheaper than a cave from the LFS + I think it'll look quite good mixed in with the plants) How to I got about making it safe for my fish tank. I am soaking in a bucket of water at the moment to get any dirt out....how long should I leave it there is there anything else I can do to make it safe?

 

[david27]

I would try a couple of weeks, if you already how hard alkaline water you won't have much of a problem. If you have soft acidic water just monitor the water params.

David

 

[Sye]

I think that water is quite hard, it always leaves white marks on the glass out side the tank if any spills over once its dried. PH is just under 8.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Sye

If this is one of those basic red/orange clay flowerpots soaking it for a day or two should be all it needs to make it safe for you tank.

But, if it has a ceramic glaze, you might run into problems. Some ceramics are safe for humans to eat food off and I think these would be OK. However, some are not safe for this because of metals in the glaze. I would think twice before putting any of these into the tank because if they could leech out into food, they could certainly get into the water.

Well, I know people don't eat out of flower pots, but I think you understand what I mean. I hope......

 

[pmoyniha]

If it is a pot from most stores it should be ok. But if it says it was hand made anywhere in south america or africa and has bright colours the pot is a bad idea. They make those glazes by boiling lead compounds. Really bad idea for anything to eat that.

 

[Sye]

I have put it in, it was just a basic clay pot made in Italy

 

[Losi]

Boil it for a couple of minutes to make doubly sure!

 

[Inchworm]

I have put it in, it was just a basic clay pot made in Italy

Hi Sye

I think it's safe, then. It's the fancy ones you have to worry about.

How do your fish like it? I put 3 of them in my tanks a week or so ago and the corys love them. But, my third tank has no corys and no one seems to be using it even though the fish often go into a rock cave that is there.

 

[Sye]

Not many seem to use it, only the clown loaches.... But it looks good between the plants B)

 

[dixaisy930]

Those clay pots are the best! My white-cheeked goby claimed the biggest one in my tank. He's in there 95% of the time, and the other times, he's underneath it. I'm tempted to just decorate my tanks with those from now on...cheap and functional...can't beat that.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

I have a question... Exactly how do you set it up? With a hole in it? Propped against the glass? etc.

 

[Inchworm]

I have a question... Exactly how do ou set it up? With a hole in it? Propped against the glass? etc.

Hi temp

I just lay them in the tank on their sides. The cory's like them (or any cave) because they try to get out of the bright light and into some shade. So, for corys, I try to face the openings in such a way that they can do this.

However you arrange them, just be sure they cannot accidently get tipped over and injure one of the fish.

The color of ordinary clay pots makes a bright spot among the green plants.