bert2001

Just a quick question. How safe is it to put lego's in an aquarium? I just thought it would be cool to build caves and buildings out of legos for my fish.

mistycheri

Now why didn't I think of that?? That sounds like a cool idea. I think it would be safe since the legos aren't painted or anything so there's nothing to flake off in the tank. Take some pictures of your buildings and let us see them.
Happy Building

COBettaCouple

That's a very interesting idea.. i could be wrong, but i think that regular legos without stickers or sharp pieces would be safe. you may have to build things underwater to keep air out of the legos.. i'd experiment in a bucket of treated tap water and see what kind of floating action a finished cave or building gets.

EDIT: I'd also avoid any metal pieces or pieces not made of typical plastic.

sgould

That's a cool idea! I'd like to see photos too if you go ahead with this!

Stradius011

Everybody here seems very creative.

mistycheri

After replying to this post I got to thinking. "Won't legos float?" So you may have to weigh them down with some like smooth river stones that you can buy in craft stores. Or say use hot-glue to glue the stones to the outside of the structure to weigh it down....."Where there's a Will, there's a Way" /lol

Stradius011

Ooh smart. I forgot that legos probably will float.

Sabi

Hey thats a cool idea!! I must borrow some legos from my friend and try it!!

mistycheri

I see a lego shortage at Walmart's coming, /grin

vin

Excellent idea...But remember - the bricks have sharp corners....And Lego's aren't cheap...If the piece is large enough the weight of it may hold it down. Though when making caves you can use flat pieces to hold the legs in place and put substrate on the flate pieces to hold them down...

bert2001

Thanks for all the input guys. This idea came about because I was looking for a new idea on how to decorate my 75Gal tank. My kids (9 & 3) wanted to do a spongebob tank. We found a bunch of figures made for a aquariums but could not find a pineapple house for the life of us. I thought being the creative kid in a 27year old body, I could just build one out of lego's. Well I came home from work today and my wife found the pineapple on-line somewhere. I still may build some caves out of Lego's some time down the line as I plan on getting a German Blue Ram eventually and he is going to need a place to live.

COBettaCouple

if you do 'glue' the lego structure to a base.. i'm not sure about hot glue or other glues.. they could release toxins.. perhaps aquarium sealant would do the trick?

hamstermann

epoxy might work too

mistycheri

I used the hot glue to build a tower out of smooth river stones once. It was to go in my 5 gal. tank with my Beta. I even glued some fake foilage to it It worked out fine for awhile, but I think I built it too high for the weight of the stones and after awhile it started to come apart. As for toxins from the glue, I never had any health problems with the fish that was in the tank. And from what I can see, it looks like manufacturers of aquarium products use similar types of glue to keep the fake plants attached to large decorations. But then again, they may be using the epoxy or sealant like used for the aquarium seals, hard to tell when it all looks the same after it dries. /lol

COBettaCouple

yea, it could be safe but i'm no chemist so i don't know and hate to put any 'unknowns' in the tank.

vin

You know what they say about fishkeeping and your tank when it comes to homemade or "found" decor - "If in doubt, leave it out".

COBettaCouple

I feel such an overwhelming urge to continue with "if it's yellow.."

bert2001

So, I finally got around to building a little cave for my Krib out of legos. I put it in the tank and man does it float. I had to use some force just to get it down to see how it would look. It looked amazing and I really want it down there. I could try to weigh it down with some river stones but I still have not heard a definitive answer on whether hot glue is safe to put in aquarium. Any suggestions?

armadillo

You could use fishing wire to attach it to plant lead weights? Am not entirely sure if either these products is meant to stay in an aquarium, though, without starting to release toxins.

COBettaCouple

i think that a piece of aquarium-safe rock to weight it down might work (just would have to not be too heavy).. maybe even one of those coral-like rock formations they sell at the LFS?

Harley

DONT USE LEAD!!! OH GOD PLZ DONT USE LEAD it will most likely kill your fish

LilaBean

good call harley...

this is great! I am dying to see this!! Lila

M

Bert2001,

You have got to post a picture! I think legos is an awesome idea and how cool is it for your kids to see Dad be creative and fun! Hats off to you! Please let me know how it works and what you end up using for weight--I have girls 10 and 6 and a son 3 who would love that for their ADFs. Can't wait to see a picture!

-M

M

Bert2001,

So did you do the lego pineapple? You really peaked my curiosity with your idea and I was wondering how it worked for you. Please let me know and take a picture if you can.

Thanks,

-M

bert2001

Sorry to keep everyone in suspense. I have just been really busy with work and 's Kitchen Auditions to really have any free time to mess with my lego's. As soon as I have some free time I will complete this project. I found the perfect flat piece of river stone at a LFS and I am just going to seal it to that. I will post pictures when I am done.

M

WOW! Congratulations! I just watched the finale and think chefs are incredibly talented! I love Top Chef too! I thought everything was by recipe or something, but those shows prove how talented and quick you must be! Hope it goes well for you----but hurry and post those pictures!! Just kidding!
Good Luck!!!
-M

armadillo

Good luck, Bert! Don't forget who your friends are if (when!) you win and bake us a giant fish-shaped cake!

LilaBean

AWESOME!! I can't wait!! Lila

Harley

I got the lego to work i built a castle out of a kit that was all midevile stuff and the fish the different floors and stuff (i found that pushing the lego down REALLY FAST worked for keeping it at the bottom i also put gravel on the first floor)

Cody

im trying this for sure...ill post my pic when im done.......most of my DIY projects go in my 5.5g