tank setup question

C

CagIII

AC Members

Sep 10, 2006

118

0

0

• Dec 11, 2006

• #1

I have recently purchased a 38 gallon long tank. I have seen many people put what looks like pieces of clay pots in the tank as decor. Can i just go to the store get a clay pot break it in half or something rinse it and place it in the tank? To me it seems as though it would affect the water in some way. Let me know what you think.

 

jm1212

Pterophyllum scalare

Jul 22, 2006

23,653

11

89

34

Chicago

Real Name

Jon

• Dec 11, 2006

• #2

that what most people do, just give it a really good rinse.

if you are worried it will effect your water, put it in some dechlorinated water and then let it sit for a couple of days and test the params.

 

Rallysman

Stinkfist

Aug 2, 2006

1,530

0

36

44

Indiana

• Dec 11, 2006

• #3

You can just get any old terracotta pot (unless it's painted or something). I usually just put them in the tank, but you can scrub them with a mild bleach solution and them soak them in water that's been heavily dosed with dechlorinator.

 

RoseFishWatcher

AC Members

Oct 31, 2006

432

0

0

Colorado

• Dec 11, 2006

• #4

I boil my terracotta pots, but mostly just because I have trouble getting the stickers off.

Biggest warning for using pots: if they have the drainage holes in the bottom and you leave the pot in one piece small fish can get stuck in them.

 

Mgamer20o0

BobsTropicalPlants.com

Staff member

Jun 4, 2003

31,221

19

89

www.bobstropicalplants.com

• Dec 12, 2006

• #5

i used terracotta pots and it the bottom out and sanded it down that why they could swim though some. others i left alone. never had any problems in all the years i have used them.

 

viboy

Born Sarcastic

Mar 15, 2002

248

1

16

BC, Canada

• Dec 12, 2006

• #6

Your best best is to use a new pot. Old pots have a possibility of leaching out fertilizer's,etc. that they have absorbed during their use as a "pot". This could prove fatal to your fish.

New pots are completely fine. Make sure to sand down any sharp edges should you decide to break or drill holes in the pot.