Tropical Fish Forum
Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => Fish Tanks and Equipment => Topic started by: Bubblychaz on October 14, 2015, 07:14:39 PM
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Hey!
So Ive been looking into making some ornaments for aquariums and some caves too!
Ive read alot about using polymer clay or normal clay which is used to make terracotta earthenware as long as it is heated in a kiln. Anyone got any experience here?
Looking at some ornaments, most ornaments are made from polyresin.. is this polyester resin or Polyurethane Resin, does anyone know?
I also heard someone say they put lightweight garden ornaments in their aquarium?? I dont even know how that'd work because arent most garden ornaments made from cement like Portland cement which I doubt is submersible.
What im looking at doing is making some caves and things from clay,
But then also making latex moulds of ornaments and things and then using a polyresin or something for ornaments.
Polyurethane seems to be more like an ornament casting product
polyester seems to be more like a glass/plastic casting product.
Unless im missing something?
I looked at epoxy resin too and that seems to be a glass/plastic resin too.
Im looking for something similar outcome to what a cup or pot or one of those paint your own money box things you can buy where its like a ceramic and then you paint.
(http://www.wilko.com/content/ebiz/wilkinsonplus/invt/0252781/0252781_l.jpg)
Has anyone had any experience with this stuff?
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I haven't had any experience with making my own ornaments in this way. But I can give you a few dos and don'ts.
I know that terracotta plant pots are OK because I use them with no problems, so whatever it is they are made from is fine.
Cyanoacrylate superglues are fine as long as they have dried thoroughly.
Plastic drainpipe tubing can be used in the tank - but be careful as some types are treated with chemicals.
Silicone sealant can be used for anything from joining things together (note, it doesn't adhere well to plastics) and also to glue sand or gravel to something to make it look nicer (eg drainpipe). Make sure it does not contain anti mould agents and let it cure for at least 48 hours.
Paint should be avoided as it can be toxic and can flake off, and most fish would mistake it for food. I am also wary of bought plastic ornaments as most of mine no longer have any paint on them due to snails.
Sorry I can't be more help on the materials you ask about :(
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With pots, I know the lighter weight pots are from earthware clay and the heavier pots are stoneware. Guy at homebase told me :P
So an aquarium you want earthware. Which as far as I can see is heated different and made up of a clay which they also use in schools, so the easy moulding clay. Just had a reply from someone on ebay. Cant make any clay things without a Kiln. The temp has to hit at least 1200! A kiln is around £500! Guess thats a conversation Ill have with my dad see what he can build as a gas powered DIY kiln could hit that and be made for £100. At that point these pots will no longer just be a hobby but ill have to make some clay caves to sell to make my money back.
If I can figure out the garden ornament thing, That also could be an option. Latex moulds and create ornament using concrete. I might get hold some companies and ask them for the chemical list within their mortars and plaster casting and see what they have thats submersible. For example these guys http://www.benam.co.uk/howto/problem-free-polyurethane-castings
Someone did a youtube video of a 3d background for their tank and got the supply off them and said their customer service and knowlegde was amazing.
Will keep this thread up todate as I find out more :)