fish safe clay?

[genocidex]

i want to make some caves and i want a 100% custom thing and i dont want to use pvc caves or just slate like that, i was thinking i could use some clay. and hopefuly its something i can bake in the oven. any ideas?

i just read fimo was a good brand. can any one confirm?

[Tyspot1000]

Hello,
well i'm not exactly sure what brand you need to use when making your own but I do knoe that, when going buying them, make sure they are not glazed (there is somethimg in the glaze that is poisonus to fish

[dbosman]

Fimo, Kato Polyclay, and Sculpey both work and are safe for aquariums.
Maybe this cross post will help.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums...other-pvc-clay
__________________________________________________ ___________

Some of us have been here before. ;-)
I asked the same question in another forum, last year.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/di...fish-safe.html

The basic issue for all the poly clays was the plasticizer. Up until a few years ago it was a petroleum product. Both Fimo and Sculpey have switched to non-toxic non-petroleum based components. The pores in both products, which could provide space for bacteria, are why neither product can be certified as food safe.

Since I haven't found a MSDS for Sculpey, lets contact the distributor.
Oops, found one.
http://www.****-blick.com/msds/DBH_32334.pdf
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Thank you for contacting Polyform Products Company. Our clays do not contain any toxins, heavy metals or copper. While Sculpey is non-toxic, we have not done any testing on it in aquariums. I would recommend visiting message boards and forums to find out what others have experienced. I have not heard of any problems, but I am not involved in the aquarium community. There are some glazes that can be applied to Sculpey to make it water resistant, but as these glazes area made by different companies, I am not sure of their effect on fish. Sculpey can be placed in water without a glaze, but over time a whitish film may develop on the surface. This film can be wiped off with a cloth. I am sorry I do not have additional information for you.

************************************************** ************
Then we'll move on to Fimo, for which there are online MSDS that lists no petroleum products. That's a good sign.
Here is the 2004 MSDS
http://www.georgeweil.com/fact_file/...ct%20_soft.pdf

Here is a 2010 MSDS
http://cdn.dickblick.com/msds/DBH_332240000.pdf

Threads from The Plantedtank.net
From 2009
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/di...pey-caves.html

Here is one from 2007
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/di...-aquarium.html

Post #19 (2006) has used Fimo
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/pl...no-tank-2.html

This site was helpful.
http://www.polyclay.com/PolymerFAQ.htm

Here is another brand oven baking clay I didn't know about until a minute ago.
Kato Polyclay
http://www.vanaken.com/msds/MSDS%20Kato%20Polyclay.pdf

[genocidex]

thanks dbosman so much thats great info and im reading up on all those links. never even thought to look for a msds for clays, only when im using chemicals lol. thanks a thousand times over XD

[genocidex]

oh man reading up on your first link i found you copy and pasted it :( i thought i was special lol. but thanks so much for it any ways you have made me a happy man tonight !!!!!

[Critterstruck]

Oh man, now I have to try this. :) What a great idea! I had always wondered about earthenware clays, but I'm afraid they might contain traces of metal or something that might harm my fish. Certain glazes are supposed to be food-safe (lead-free), so I always imagine they might do okay in the aquarium? But if FIMO and Sculpey work, well, problem solved! :)

[Lady Blue dragon]

I do ceramics, so I would also like to know if ceramics can be put in aquarium.

[Lady Hobbs]

Vases and other ceramics can be used in aquariams so don't know why not. I read clay has to be baked to be safe so I don't know. Aren't terra clay pots baked?