Polymer Clay Tank Decor

Hello,

I’m interested in making a polymer clay hellmouth for a blind cave tetra tank. I figure they won’t see it so they won’t be scared, but it would be super eerie to have a cave made out of faces that they can swim around in.

Has anyone used polymer clay in aquarium decorations before?

Is it inert or does it alter parameters?

Would I be better off sculpting the clay, making a mold and then cast it in resin?

 

I've made a polymer clay "log" and painted it, but haven't put it in an aquarium yet because I wanted to seal the paint and haven't been able to find something I'm 100% certain will work, is safe, and affordable. I've read that epoxy can be used. To be honest, I've been too afraid to go any further in case I mess up, waste money, or kill fish
But all my research has indicated that once fully baked, polymer clay is inert.

 

Okay, I could just buy polymer clay in the color I want to work with or mix it together myself.

I’ve had luck with acrylic paint on a decoration that was specifically made for aquariums, but it doesn’t last long. Might try marine epoxy, but then it would be weird and shiny.

Oooh, maybe I could mix very fine sand in with the epoxy, or dust it on the top as it dries, and then it wouldn’t be shiny.

 

That's been my biggest problem: finding a sealant that isn't whiny. I don't want shiny rocks and wood.
Um. I mean shiny, not whiny

 

Oh wait! I am such a colossal bonehead. I could seal it with a very thin layer of aquarium safe silicone.

I will have to do some tests to see how thin it has to be to keep the paint sealed but not look too chunky.

 

There is now a dish washer safe type of Mod Podge. I have herd of people using it for aquarium items, I would personally do more research Before I used it but, dishwasher safe is ment to be in water.

 

Poly Resin Decor:
I too was wondering if this little Buddha would be OK to put into a tank? The description says made of fine poly resin. Could I paint it with Krylon Fusion paint and make it aquarium safe? Has anyone else tried this?