Plastic Tank Logs

[slowcountry]

I purchased a Top Fin manufactured plastic tree stump to provide hiding spots for my catfish and other shy fish. When I brought the item home, I bathed it in hot water (130 degrees F +-). After about 10 minutes I started noticing a strong plastic smell in my kitchen. I realized what was happening by heating the plastic and submerged the stump into cool water. The smell greatly decreased but had not completely disappeared. I let the stump air dry for two days and the smell was virtually undetectable.

Today I submerged the stump into water about the temperature of the environment that it will be installed, about 78 degrees F. After about ten minutes I removed the stump from the water and noticed that the smell had come back to some extent.

This brings us to why I am here;

1. How can I get the plastic stump stable so that I can put it into my established aquarium?
2. Does the smell indicate that there will be chemicals leached into the water that will be detrimental to the fish?

Thank you,

Doug Coffman