Can I decorate with metal things???

[corvairkid17]

Ok, I am pretty new to aquariums, I have a little 2 gallon aquarium for now, a few of my friends and family mmbrs hav a quariums (20-50 gallons), I am going to upsize soon. I have a couple freshwater fish for now, just to make sure I like taking care of an aquarium before I invest in a bigger one.

I have a question: Can I us metal things to decorate, I love cars so I was wondering if I could use degreesed, steam cleaned, then rinsed engine parts as accents in my aquarium? If a part is really clean and does not contain lead, will it hurt my fish? I have cast iron, alluminum, stainless, and chrome parts in mind. Any help would be great thanks!

[Lady Hobbs]

Not too many metals can be in water without rusting. With so many aquarium decorations around and driftwood, etc, why take a chance on using something that doesn't belong in a fish tank?

[smaug]

The only metals that could safely be used in aquariums would be totally inert metals such as some stainless steels and titanium.No alum,copper,brass,bronze,carbon steels or iron whatsoever.

[gm72]

I wonder if there would be a way to seal the metal with some kind of clear epoxy?

[smaug]

Only if the coating were very thick would it not leach through eventually.I get what he wants and it sounds really kind of cool.A junk yard theme with some tough looking fish would be very unique.Maybe model parts made from plastic could work.

[corvairkid17]

I have some alluminum racing pistons that are all scratched up from being raced, I thought that would look sweet. Is there like a clear laquer/clear coat I could use? One Of my friends owns a paint shop, so I can get actual clear coat for cars, that would last a long time and prolly not pollute the water any thoughts?

[gm72]

I actually think that clear coat would leach into the water.

[corvairkid17]

well....I could use an extra aquarium, put some cheapie 25 cent fish in it, then after a few days put the engine parts in there and see how they do????

[DragonGoby]

Hum, If I may.. there's no cheap fish... I mean... Do you really want to risk killing a fish just to see if it's going to work? Fish are not there to test our idea.. They're there to be happy and healthy... Just my two cents of course.

If you really want to try this, try to find a shop who sell stuff for making aquarium... You're certainly going to find material to seal and treat anything...

[smaug]

I don't think it would be something you would see quick results/problems with.My experience with working with metals [20years fabricator] tells me it is not wise.The reasons inert metal are chose for medical use is because reactive metals will always be reactive to the environment which means they will leach toxins no matter what precautions are taken.Aluminum especially would be a very bad actor due to its highly reactive nature.Go in some different direction with this that is car related.

[corvairkid17]

I just cant imagine how a part with clarcoat that has been cured in an oven could leak. I live on a 250acre lake with tons of boats (which have exhaust that goes into the water) leaving two stroke oil every where doesn't hurt them, but alittle paint will? Im not about hurting animals btw. I was just saying.

[smaug]

A lake is millions of gallons ,refreshed constantly with massive amounts of biological filtration as well as mechanical.Its not comparable.The clear coat itself would be a toxin.And epoxy is not non reactive either.Its your choice and I'm not here to browbeat you into submission.You did ask our opinion and so far it does seem fairly clear as to what we think.

[Tigerbarb]

I am pretty sure that stainless steel can go into an aquarium without rusting, or you can use any kind of metal as long as you spray paint it with krylon paint.

[smaug]

I am pretty sure that stainless steel can go into an aquarium without rusting, or you can use any kind of metal as long as you spray paint it with krylon paint.
yes on the stainless.Temprorarily only with all others even if painted,there is no coating that would seal permanently.

[Wild Turkey]

A lake is millions of gallons ,refreshed constantly with massive amounts of biological filtration as well as mechanical.Its not comparable.The clear coat itself would be a toxin.And epoxy is not non reactive either.Its your choice and I'm not here to browbeat you into submission.You did ask our opinion and so far it does seem fairly clear as to what we think.

Exactly, it would be more like running ur boat in a pool sized tank, with fish in it. They will die, fast. Lakes could have up to a thousand gallons per fish, maybe 10,000, it is certainly not comparable. Like said previously i wouldnt use anything but titanium, surgical steel wont rust, but it does contain nickel and other stuff, im not sure if this will affect fish or not but titanium should do fine if you really really want metals in the tank. Also, sharp edges in the tank can harm the fish, especially if they get spooked.

[smoochxoxo]

You could be on to something cool though with your idea. I have heard of people using plastic or resin....maybe this is an idea you can work on and see if there is a way to cast the parts you wish to use and do a resin or plastic mold of the part. If they can make fake corals and such there has got to be a place that has already made items like this or can make items like this.
GL

[FordForever]

Pistons would be cool in my opinion in a fish tank but the amount of water to fish as already stated isnt the same as a lake. You may be able to find a tank background with that theme and buy some tank ready cars as tank decoration.

Don't risk the metal, fish are people too!!

If I test the water and find a problem, I feel awful like I have let my fish down. They count on me to keep their home safe and that is my goal. Even though it would only costs me 7 bucks to replace all my fish, I do not consider them expendable by any means. They are my babies. :19:

[corvairkid17]

krylon? hmmmmm. ill check that out.

[smoochxoxo]

I wouldn't give up on your idea at all, and actually I have read an article on here about using fish as testers for aquarium safe decorations. Try looking around at companies in your area that deals with resin products...maybe you might be on to a cool tank idea that would go over well...just make sure you own the rights..lol
GL!

[smaug]

krylon? hmmmmm. ill check that out.
no type of paint/coating/epoxy will seal the metal for long term in a watery environment.The resin idea is a fantastic idea and possibly could make your fortune!

[Rosey]

i personally would skip the whole idea altogther...It is just not worth the risk.Fish are just as important as other pets..ie dogs and cats.I think it would be cruel if you tried to buy cheap fish(which don't exist) and use them as a test to see if they will die or not.
i understand what look you are going for but it really is not worth it.There would also be the problem of sharp edges as well...fish can be cut as they swim around...
Good luck and i hope you find another way of dressing up your tank.:18:

[MrDrums]

Agreed...not a good idea, and also not a good idea to experiment on your fish this way. I'm sure you can find other decorations, or some other way to display your car parts.

[gm72]

3 month old thread. I mean, thank you for your contribution. I only mention the age of the thread because some of our newer members don't realize that the date and time of the posts are stamped in the upper left corner. Always good though to add an opinion to topics, so again, thanks! :11:

[mxman311]

Ya do not put any metal in that tank!! Why dont you go to the local hobby shop and buy one of the model engins that are all plastic. You put a crankshaft, piston, set of heads all that stuff in the tank with no problems at all! Good luck and cool idea.