a rather different question

[budster]

Hi i look afte many tanks, myself i have a ten half moon but am upgrading to a 47 colum (hopefully soon). My question is as follows, i am able to make clay and kiln fire it, i was wondering if i can leave it un finished or whether it has to be glazed. It should be alright but what i am wondering is will it throw off any of the chemicals? It technically wont be unfinished but the finished result is much like hardened fired clay. I want to make a back ground as well as some very tall ornaments with a smaller footprint. as well as some caves that can be seen from the side of the glass. I know fired is alright but i am unsure as to raw fired clay.

Thanx

also if there is any other way to make bacgrounds with a smooth finish i am open to ideas.

[bignellm]

The Ph could dissolve Chemicals and Elements out of your fired decor. I would research the Chemicals used in firing your pottery, then list them here. On the Raw stuff, you could test it like a rock and use some vinegar (I believe) or some PH down to see if it fizzes (any dissolves).

[Cermet]

Fired clay will certainly dissolve slowly and that may or may not be an issue for the fish. Why not glaze the pieces?

[kross]

There are several products that people use as substrates, that I believe are baked clay. Turface, Soil Master Select, plain kitty litter, Oil-Dri, aquariumplants.com substrate, etc.

[dmagerl]

To add to that list: Flourite, Eco-complete

[Lady Hobbs]

I believe ceramics need to be glazed to seal them.

[budster]

ok, i will glaze them. i have had fired peices in the tank before with out a problem. What i mean with the unfinished clay is a sort of red then you use a second clay when that's fired to give it a burnt /blackened look and fire it again.

thanks everyone.