Scupley?

[darkwolf29a]

I have some of this clay, which you bake in the oven for awhile.

Sculpey

It bakes to a very hard finish that you can sand, etc.

Has anyone tried this stuff in their tank? I know it's non-toxic, but I'm not sure how it would react with the tank over time.

 

[Lateral Line]

Never heard of it. I'd try their e-mail here info@polyformproducts.com

 

[darkwolf29a]

Yeah, I sent them an email. I'm doing google searches too. I was hoping that someone here had used the product before.

Thanks.

I am doing some tests on the products. I have two test pieces that I made last night. Both are soaking right now. I'll see if there is any chemical breakdowns, etc.

I'm hoping not, because I think it would be very neat to be able to make my own decorations.

 

[darkwolf29a]

Thank you for contacting Polyform Products. While all of our products are completely non-toxic, we have not done any testing on Sculpey in aquariums. I would recommend visiting message boards and forums to find out what others have experienced. I have not heard of any problems, but I am not involved in the aquarium community. There are some glazes that can be applied to Sculpey to make it water resistant, but as these glazes are made by different companies, I am not sure of their effect on fish. Sculpey can be placed in water without a glaze, but over time a whitish film may develop on the surface. This film can be wiped off with a cloth. I am sorry I do not have additional information for you.

That was the company's answer. So...I guess I have some testing to do, and to see what I can find out from Menard's.

 

[darkwolf29a]

Spoke to Menard's who was, surprisingly, no help at all here. I am going to Hobby Lobby, who sell the product, to see if they have some sort of a glaze for it.

I do have several test pieces that are happily soaking away in some water.

The first test was done using the exact product instructions as to time, 15 minutes per 1/4in, and temperature, 275 degrees. That test failed, IMHO, as the resulting structure got slimy after just 10 hours of soaking in plain water.

Currently, I have 3 more pieces soaking with much better results, as of yesterday.

One was put in the oven for 30 minutes at 275 degrees.
Another was put in at 250 degrees for an hour.
The last was put in at 275 degrees for 45 minutes.

All appear to be fine with no side effects as of yet.

I plan on running these test pieces until Wednesday, giving them a full week underwater. Then we'll see what happens to the resulting structures.