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Old April 25th 06, 12:19 AM posted to rec.crafts.pottery
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Default Making clay caves for aquarium fish...


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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?



Luckily, I have a kiln, so I will be making my own decorations and stuff for
our coming (SOOOON!!) aquariums.

There are clays that have to be oven-baked, which might not give off as much
"stuff" as air-dry clays. You also have that plastic stuff that just needs
to be heated a little in order to dry hard, and that seems then very
durable.

But I second Steve that you need to put a piece in a water sample that you
test before and after - and long after! You don't want to poison your fish
in the attempts :-)

Marianne


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