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Best material for ornaments

Divinityinlove

Divinityinlove

Fish Crazy
Joined
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I see a lot of lovely plastic and PVC ornaments, but I'm unsure from articles online I've read if PVC and plastic is OK to keep in the tank. I even buy food grade silicone equipment like the water change hose if I can find it.

However I just saw the cutest little scuba diver ornament who floats...!!! :( Can you suggest the safety level of PVC or plastic ornaments staying in the water based on experience?

Otherwise, please do suggest the best materials for ornaments.

I generally focus on what is best for the fish and not for my own interests, but would be nice to make the tank beautiful to look at also and I know my partner would appreciate that lol
 
I use resin and ceramic for my decor. It can be a little more expensive but then it does tend to last alot longer and have less sharp edges etc that could harm the fish.
 
wasmewasntit said:
I use resin and ceramic for my decor. It can be a little more expensive but then it does tend to last alot longer and have less sharp edges etc that could harm the fish.
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So these ceramic caves with holes in them.... The holes look a little scratchy.... Could they be grazed when touched the edges as swimming through?
Screenshot_20220621_100120_com.ebay.mobile.jpg
 
If you buy anything for an aquarium, regardless of what they are made of, always make a check of access holes like that and if they feel rough, just gently go over them with a nail file til they smooth down.
 
If it's from a pet shop it should be fine.

If it's sold in a toy shop then it should be safe because kids stick them in their mouths.

If it's sold at a flea market on weekends, it may or may not be safe.
 
Colin_T said:
If it's from a pet shop it should be fine.

If it's sold in a toy shop then it should be safe because kids stick them in their mouths.

If it's sold at a flea market on weekends, it may or may not be safe.
Click to expand...
Like we did as kids years ago, with lead-based painted items...
 
I groan inwardly when I see the aquarium ornaments available today. Not because of what they are but because of the material. That hideous plastic resin or whatever it is. Years ago all you got was glazed ceramic and it was nice. I had a little bamboo hut raised on stilts that looked authentic. Brown glaze , it was cool and I had a Kuhlii Loach that would sit in the doorway and look out. His own little hut. I've been eyeing a sunken U-Boat at PetsMart but have resisted so far but it is cool. If only it were ceramic. There was a guy on this Forum who had this totally awesome castle in a big tank. That might sound kitschy but it was something to see.
 
Back in the fold said:
I groan inwardly when I see the aquarium ornaments available today. Not because of what they are but because of the material. That hideous plastic resin or whatever it is. Years ago all you got was glazed ceramic and it was nice. I had a little bamboo hut raised on stilts that looked authentic. Brown glaze , it was cool and I had a Kuhlii Loach that would sit in the doorway and look out. His own little hut. I've been eyeing a sunken U-Boat at PetsMart but have resisted so far but it is cool. If only it were ceramic. There was a guy on this Forum who had this totally awesome castle in a big tank. That might sound kitschy but it was something to see.
Click to expand...
Something like this?

My first tank, at 5 years of age, circa '69. My godmother (also known as my oldest sister, I had 5) gifted me a 5G tank, filled it with fish, and wished me a happy birthday....I was ecstatic....for a few hours...she weekly cleaned the tank, changed the charcoal & floss in the filter WEEKLY, so that the tank and filter wouldn't be "dirty", and "stink"...lol

No wonder I lost interest when we couldn't keep fish alive...it was a gorgeous tank, clown-puke gravel, plastic plants, the works!

At any rate, this is one of my favorite mementos to remember her by...miss you, Fran
 

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I’ve had an ornament like this one in my tank for years. It’s kiln fired ceramic.. very durable and nontoxic. What’s better than having a fisherman in your fish tank. You can see another one in my sig. You can find similar ones on ebay. Search for “mudman” fisherman.
A28C4F65-9C07-4706-BF14-BB6F7B6A1FE8.jpeg
 
Fishmanic said:
I’ve had an ornament like this one in my tank for years. It’s kiln fired ceramic.. very durable and nontoxic. What’s better than having a fisherman in your fish tank. You can see another one in my sig.
View attachment 161739
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I've seen it before, and love it...is it old?
 
The biggest issue to me is sharp edges. Even in the past when I'd build caves out of pieces of slate I'd always use an emery board (sand paper on a stick for doing finger nails) to round the edges. I suggest doing this with any artificial or natural ornaments.
 
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