Have you used sculpey or another pvc clay?

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mellowvision

mellowvision

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I've been doing some reading lately about different polymer clays, which when baked are essentially PVC. While there are conflicting opinions from hobbyists over the past few years, I have seen no one complain that they had any related negative affects while using polymer clay in their aquariums. It seems to me, from what I've gathered about the clay, that if it is properly cured, it is non-toxic, and that any potentially harmful chemicals would only be present in poorly cured pieces.

I know, having seen a few ancient threads here on AC, that some of you have tried it. How has it held up for you? Have you associated any negative affects with it's use in your tank? What brand/hardness did you use? Any real world experience would be appreciated. I'd love to give this stuff a shot.
 
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user_name

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Cam
I have no idea, but I'm interested in hearing how/if it works out... Would it affect the ph at all?
 
mellowvision

mellowvision

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Well so far, a random mashup of websites and forum posts have turned up the following info.

One forum poster monitored sculpey in a water soak for 2 weeks, with no change in water chemistry whatsoever.
The manufactures of sculpey and a few similar products have had their products rated non-toxic. The MSDS does not rate it food safe however, but another forum poster claims to have spoken with a rep that said it was not considered food safe due to a porous surface that harbors bacteria.
Several other forum posters claim to have used it with no ill affects, some at up to 2 years of use.
A sculpey supplier that comes up on google says they've been using sculpey for aquarium ornaments for years. They have several tests pages where they review the porosity and other characteristics, but don't make specific recommendations as to which product is best for aquatic use.

So, it's enough for me to want to try it, but at the same time, some personal input would be great.
 
D

dbosman

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Dec 5, 2010
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Some of us have been here before. ;-)
I asked the same question in another forum, last year.
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/123622-fimo-polymer-clay-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
**************************************************************
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/msds/fimo_effect%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/diy/82228-trying-out-sculpey-caves.html

Here is one from 2007
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/54769-modeling-clay-aquarium.html

Post #19 (2006) has used Fimo
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/planted-nano-tanks/24749-shire-lord-rings-nano-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 Kato Polyclay.pdf





 
mellowvision

mellowvision

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nice info. I had seen you posting in another forum a long way back, so thanks for spreading the info.

I got a note from the guy who makes scuba diver figurines out of sculpey for his tanks and ponds. he seems to be a distributor of the stuff as well. When asked which product he recommended for making fake rocks, he wrote:

You can use Premo as it is the quality clay also others, Super Sculpey and SS Firm
Click to expand...
 
mellowvision

mellowvision

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well, I went to a craft shop today and they had the sculpey III in brown and black, so I bought some to play with. It's not quite as firm as I expected, hard to roll it out thick without it thinning really fast. I made a tree root like wall to see how it holds up, I worry it's too thin, but I tried to keep the clay 1/4" or thicker. I would have liked to have closer to 1/2" thick all around, but didn't really realize it until I was mostly done. I haven't baked anything yet, so I might redo it tomorrow, but I'd be tempted to bake it and see what it's like dry.
 
Jannika

Jannika

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Mar 17, 2010
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I've used Fimo, Sculpey III and Premo in tanks. They hold up extremely well underwater. I was kind of surprised, actually. Over a year ago I put in a rather thin-walled (1/8" or less) cave and it still looks the same, with no sign of degrading (or ill effects to the fish). Great stuff.
 
G

garyfla

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Apr 23, 2010
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Hi
What is the advantage over Expanding foam.?? have used the "Great stuff " on several projects and the only negative I've found is the bouyancy.. that is an advantage when you want it to float such as "islands" have been using latex enamel to change the color which has proven to last as long as two part epoxy at about a third the cost. Currently have it in a 75 as a background. except for the first two years ,when it was used as a waterfall in a paludarium has been continuously wet since 01. i would do that project entirely different if I were to do it aagain but would still use the foam as a base.
Most ambitious use was a 7x10 foot waterfall, actually a "seep wall" as was used to grow plants as well as a vegggie filter for the aquarium.
a negative that showed up in this method was that the plants grew into the material diverting my carefully planed flow path.lol
Currently setting up a 125 and thinking of using the "foam" rather than real rocks . except for anchors lol
So what are the advantages of other materials?? Thanks gary
 
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