[LittleWatty]

So, a couple weeks ago I bought a plastic tree trunk cave-thing that I thought would be a nice natural-looking hiding place for my betta when I got him. However... I don't know if its aquarium safe. Since I got near to my perfect fish, I'm wary of anything that's not made especially for aquariums.

The tree trunk has no paints on it, and it says its made from a 'wood-plastic composite', and is a 'natural' tree trunk small hideout. So, I really don't know if it would be bad for a tank or not? Attached are pictures of the little cave (currently in my 6.6 that I'm trying to cycle) and its tag.

 

[Sena Hansler]

Not too sure on that... some plastics can leach, as do woods - but considering MOST wood items made for critters (some are dangerous but people use them...) are not made from sap trees, but birch or such types. If anything, you could try to find aquarium safe coating, and do a layer.

 

[lelei]

If it is not "Aquarium Safea" I wouldn't chance it.. there are a lot of nice lil caves I saw on Amazon..and recently bought one for our sammy..and come to find out for our particular tank, it is too wide, we have a cylindrical tank..but the cave is adorable..and Petco and Petsmart have a lot of cute hiding holes too

 

[registereduser]

It has to be non toxic because the little rodents chew it to bits.

 

[Sena Hansler]

The problem with that, is that water vs not in water. Did you know many things we give our animals, if placed in hot water or water for a certain amount of time will eventually leach something into the watery environment? Many plastics, whether animal safe or not, can prove dangerous in aquariums as they begin to break down because they were not meant to be in aquariums.

 

[lvandert]

hmm I would put a layer of aquarium sealant over it before committing it to a tank. just to calm my worries about it

 

[Sena Hansler]

Agreed :3

 

[LittleWatty]

Ok. I'll have to go looking for some of that while I'm at petco. I really want to use it XD and it was cheap. I think it was like $4

 

[Sena Hansler]

Oh I know what you mean :lol: if you got an aquarium cave it would've maybe be 30.00 minimum >< for me, here, anyways.

 

[finnfinnfriend]

yeah, a lot of times wood will secrete acid if it's in water and that usually isn't good....