wrote in message
roups.com...
Hello,
I'm an aquarist, and many fish like to live or breed in shelters,
referred to as 'caves'.
Normally shattered plant-pots or terracotta tubes are used, like
this...
http://www.planetcatfish.com/images/...sc/sw/hz/7.jpg
...but it would be very useful to be able to make 'custom' caves for
the fish.
When I've looked in to this in the past, the need to use a kiln has put
me off, but now I see there's air-drying clays, as well as low-fire
clays and polymer clays you can fire in your household oven.
My questions a are air-drying/low-firing clays or polymer clays
non-toxic after firing, and would they survive (ie not fall to pieces)
if kept constantly in water for several years?
From experience, I would opt for fired clay, the higher temperature the
better, rather than anything else. Air dried clays are not, in my
experience, water resistant, and I would avoid anything that cold cures
because of possible chemical release.
I used to make pieces for a local aquarium shop, and we found that the
safest option was cone 8/9 stoneware, as it is largely resistant to any
contamination. Porous materials aren't!
Steve
Bath
UK
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Steve Mills
Bath
UK