Is this a safe aquarium decoration?

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Kayte

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 14, 2016
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So I found a garden statute that would look pretty spectacular in my 200 gallon tank. It is made out of volcanic ash. Is that safe? If I want to insure that it is safe, is there a clear substance that I can put on it to make it safe?

Keightley
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanic_ash#Chemical

No one can answer the first question since 'volcanic ash' contains dozens of potential minerals. I'd plan on sealing it (which you already seem to be considering.)

As to the second question, the answer is probably. Although I can't name one right now, there are see-through sealants that are non-toxic, inert, and usable in water. I think that would likely work for your needs.
 
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Perhaps that is a way to test it? But it in a bucket of water and see if it changes the water chemistry. Would I just use a standard water testing kit? Those just measure ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and ph. How do I test for unsafe levels of minerals in the water? Would minerals change the ph to unsafe level? I guess most importantly, would there be a mineral that could be leached into the water column that kept the ph in normal ranges but raise the level of something else that could kill fish?
 
Hello; Not sure if this statue is heavy but be careful when placing it is a tank. Some stories of folks breaking the bottom of all glass tanks with rocks and such.

One way to test the statue is to use a live fish. Not very kind if it is toxic, but maybe better to take a chance on one fish over a tank full of fish.
 
Kayte said:
Perhaps that is a way to test it? But it in a bucket of water and see if it changes the water chemistry. Would I just use a standard water testing kit?
Click to expand...

I think a chromatograph could do this if you had the minerals in the water. Used ones cost around $4,000, but I'm sure a lab would be able to test your water for a lot less (maybe few hundred.) You could try someone like this: http://www.basiclab.com/index.php

The problem of course is that there is no guarantee how long it will take for minerals to leach into the water. Also, you would have to test the object in more than just water. You would need to add salt, ammonia, chlorine, chloramine, nitrite, nitrate, and probably any medicine you are likely to add to the tank since any one of those might interact with the minerals. You would also have to vary the pH.

And even then, there is no certainty that in 6 months those same chemicals may have caused it to leach.

Sealing it is the way to go, imo.
 
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Kayte said:
Would I just use a standard water testing kit?
Click to expand...
Hello; A standard test kit is set up to measure a particular set of parameters. A guess being that the statue might possibly release a toxin the standard test kit does not look for.

About a sealer, try to view old episodes of the TV show Tanked. On a few episodes, if my memory serves, they did coat objects with some sort of clear stuff. Not sure if they named the product.
 
Supposedly krylon fusion is safe. They have a clear coat you can use.

I'd personally do a few layers and let dry a minimum of 48hrs before putting it in the tank. A longer cure seems to hold up better over the long run.

Side note: Am i the only one that really wants to see a picture of this statue? Lol
 
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