Comments on: Adding a Personal Touch to Your Aquarium Décor

By: thatpetblog

thatpetblog — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:34:56 +0000

glass and plastic beads should be fine, just make sure they are large enough not to be swallowed by the fish. I would avoid anything painted that might chip after being submerged for a long time.

By: thatpetblog

thatpetblog — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:30:37 +0000

Sounds like it should be ok, as long as all materials are inert once cured. Keep an eye on the water chemistry for a few days after you decorate, particularly your pH just to be sure. Mosaic would also make a great background for the tank

By: april

april — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 02:33:15 +0000

Hi,

I would like to know if it is safe to use beads for the bottom of a fish tank? These beads r usually used for braclets or necklaces. And i would like to know if its safe for a crowntail betta fish.

Questionally asking,
April

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 02:36:58 +0000

Hi -

I have two goldfish that we just transplanted to a 10 gallon tank (the fish were won at a fair a year and half ago and have been living in a bubble-bowl).

I do glass mosaic tiling and I’d like to add some kind of decoration. I’m thinking a thin, square block with the word ‘SWIM’ cut out (so the fish can swim through the letters like windows). The structure will be made of plexiglass with glass tiled applied, grouted, and sealed (grout and seal used for pool bottoms). Does that sound reasonably safe for our little fish?

Many Thanks,

Rachel

By: Grey

Grey — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:44:07 +0000

Hello,

Thank you very much for answering my query. It does seem to be completely covered in glazing and I’ll check it thoroughly again just to be sure.

I can do some tests on it and see how it fairs, thanks again!

By: thatpetblog

thatpetblog — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:57:47 +0000

Hi Grey. Is it completely glazed? Look over the entire pieces (inside and out, top and bottom) and make sure there are no rough patches that the glazing doesn’t cover that water may soak into. If you can find out the manufacturer, you can try contacting them to see if the glaze is non-toxic, or you can soak the piece in the extremes that your tank would go through and make sure it doesn’t soften or the color doesn’t come off. If you do use it, I would still check it occasionally when you do your regular cleanings.

All that said, I’d say you are likely safe to use it. Candleholders are designed to handle extreme temperatures and the glaze should be pretty durable. Ceramic itself is inert and should not affect the water quality.

By: Grey

Grey — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:33:55 +0000

Hello!

I’m starting up a new aquarium that’ll house a mixture of different plants and aquatic beasties. Everything is pretty much sorted except for the ornaments.

I’ve been given a small ceramic candle holder and am wondering if you know if it is safe to use. I’ve read in this article that ceramics are generally safe however I’m not sure of the glazing that would have been used. I usually keep the mindset “if in doubt, leave out” but this candle holder would make the ideal hiding spot for fish once thoroughly cleaned.

Is there any way I can quickly test this to see if it will be safe? I’ve been planning this tank for months and do have back-up ornaments but would like to see if I can add just a little something unique to it.

Thank you for your time and for writing this brilliant article!

By: thatpetblog

thatpetblog — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 13:45:08 +0000

hi MalMal,
There are a lot of options that you might find around the house. Read through the “Think Outside the Box” section again and then take a look around. Glass, ceramic, colored plastic, even Legos without decals can be used. You can also take a look around your local thrift store (Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc) or a Dollar Store for decoration ideas – just remember to test everything for its safety and durability. Good luck !

- Eileen

By: MalMal

MalMal — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 07:00:27 +0000

Hai (:
I have a handsome male betta. im so lucky i got him, i randomly & irresponsibly picked him up from the pet store when i was out with my friends ..
I wanna make a nice tank for him. but i dont have any extra money to buy decor, etc. because im only 12 so i wanted to know if there any things around the house or outsied i could use. Thannk yoouu!

By: thatpetblog

thatpetblog — Tue, 31 May 2011 19:32:28 +0000

Sounds like an interesting concept. Plastic or fiberglass pieces should be safe. Any pieces with wood, metal or decals can be coated in several coats of a clearcoat sealant or glaze. The best type would depend on the material but you would want to make sure it is suitable for use in water. I would recommend testing on a piece to make sure it holds up and doesn’t affect water quality before adding any pieces to the aquarium.