seagullnz

Hi Rose

I was just reading some of your posts and I have a question regarding your signature picture with your gorgeous purple baby -

Where did you get his ornament (the kind of urn with holes in it?)

I am desperately searching for some betta baby friendly ornaments seeings how my little guy has now got a case of fin-rot! and am replacing some of my pieces that I feel may be too sharp for his delicate fins (and yes hubby thinks that I am obsessing!)

But it's hard to find ones in my local LFS that don't have rough patches on them and the last one I bought from there the paint started flaking off!

Also (not just for Rose but anyone in the know) - could I use glazed vases or those sorts of homewares in my tank?

Thanks so much
Lily

Martinismommy

I have all kinds of weird stuff in my tanks lol....I have a martini glass in one and my boy sleeps in it...In a couple of tanks I have cocktail glasses laying sideways....The boys sleep in those as well....Yes, you can use vases or household items as long as they are clean and don't have any paint on them....

Devon

Heya Lily: I don't know where Rose got that nifty decoration, but I always snoop around the housewares part of Goodwill looking for nice glazed or glass vases for my aquariums. Tonight I am planning to post some photos of my newly-finished "Kyoto" tank, since I've added a bunch more stuff, including a small black porcelain pot and a white/blue handpainted porcelain vase I found at Goodwill. I just love the pieces, they work with the other decor and look perfect, my fishes have a tonne of fun playing in them, and best of all: I think I spent a whopping $2.50 on them both.
You have to be careful that there is no metal or any glaze or anything that could have bad stuff in it, but if you find a nice coloured glass piece you're pretty much safe. I run used things through the dishwasher with the hottest setting and no soap to sanitize decorations before they go in the tank, and my fish love the hiding places.

chickadee

Dave and I both use them and they are found in the pet department of Walmart. The fish love them and they are fairly inexpensive. I have had several of them over the years and the only thing to be careful of is to make sure that if you ever disinfect them with a bleach and water solution that you give them a good 24 hours in a heavy dechlorinated water solution as they are a bit porous and need that long to make sure all the bleach water is neutralized. But they are wonderful. I would be hesitant to use anything glazed as sometimes lead is used in glazing and can leech into the water. Since I do not know how to tell which are and which are not harmful and whether the items are specifically made for aquarium use, I would have to say no do not risk using them as some member used an item at some time not long ago and lost a tank of fish due to poisoning from the chemicals in the glaze. It just is not worth the risk. Better to stick with glassware only or only things made for aquarium usage.

Rose

seagullnz

Thanks Rose

I will check out our local Walmart and see if they have them.
And I will heed your advice regarding the glazing on vases, maybe I will just stick to a piece of pretty glassware. I would hate to risk it and poison the little guy!

Lily

Devon

Glass is pretty much the only thing guaranteed to be safe, so you can be confident with an all-glass piece. The only reason I am comfortable putting the glazed porcelain in my tanks is that I am familiar with lots of glazes/paints and these ones are food safe -- meaning no lead. Hope you get some great finds, and remember to post photos!

COBettaCouple

On the rainbow caves at walmart - check the size of the holes as I've seen some walmarts selling the regular sized caves that are ok for Bettas, but recently some walmarts are selling the exact same caves, except they look like they went through a shrinking machine and the holes are too small.

chickadee

Good point and glad you mentioned it, Dave. I have not shopped for any lately. The "rule of thumb" still applies to all the things you add to the tank. If your thumb passes in and out of all the openings easily then it is safe for the betta. Otherwise not.

Rose