Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: RichE on January 29, 2013, 01:51:08 PM

Title: sealing stuff to make is fish safe.
Post by: RichE on January 29, 2013, 01:51:08 PM
I am going to set up a different tank in the boy's room and we are going with a tigers theme(baseball)

So I want to put in a few small baseball bats and a real baseball.

I know there is something that you can apply to make it tank safe but not sure what it is.

Thanks
Title: Re: sealing stuff to make is fish safe.
Post by: Ron on January 29, 2013, 02:27:56 PM
You could coat it in a thin layer of silicone.
Title: Re: sealing stuff to make is fish safe.
Post by: Marty on January 29, 2013, 02:49:31 PM
I wonder if the baseball is going to float.
Title: Re: sealing stuff to make is fish safe.
Post by: Regalblue on January 29, 2013, 02:52:15 PM
I wonder if the baseball is going to float.
good point...  might need to silicone it to some slate.
Title: Re: sealing stuff to make is fish safe.
Post by: Helloitsme on January 29, 2013, 03:06:42 PM
I wonder if the baseball is going to float.
If I recall correctly the baseball will float. Many ended up in the swimming pool when I was young :)
Title: Re: sealing stuff to make is fish safe.
Post by: RichE on January 29, 2013, 03:40:35 PM
I will attach the baseball to slate and the mini-baseball bats i was going to use heater suction cups
Title: Re: sealing stuff to make is fish safe.
Post by: Helloitsme on January 29, 2013, 05:24:39 PM
A baseball mitt (made of leather) will sink when it's water logged. Don't ask me how I know this......
Title: Re: sealing stuff to make is fish safe.
Post by: RichE on January 29, 2013, 05:32:16 PM
A baseball mitt (made of leather) will sink when it's water logged. Don't ask me how I know this......
over time would the leather be harmful to the fish?

My sons are huge baseball fans, so I want to make this a awesome tank for them
Title: Re: sealing stuff to make is fish safe.
Post by: danielratti on January 29, 2013, 05:59:13 PM
Clear Polyester Casting Resin would be a good start. If it can be used in a reef tank I don't see why it would harm freshwater. The thing is with any product you use you will have the issue of chemicls leaching out there is nothing you can do to speed it up or test it other than using your nose to see if there is still a smell to it. Another option for attaching items is getting some reef safe epoxey and will hold a lot better to rocks and such with less of a curing time compared to silicone.

Another thing too with the casting resin if you do enough coats you could even add a signed ball and not have to worry about the ink fading away do to being exposed to water.
Title: Re: sealing stuff to make is fish safe.
Post by: Helloitsme on January 29, 2013, 06:50:59 PM
Another thing too with the casting resin if you do enough coats you could even add a signed ball and not have to worry about the ink fading away do to being exposed to water.

I am seeing endless possibilities with this casting resin......
Title: Re: sealing stuff to make is fish safe.
Post by: Jamie The fish on January 29, 2013, 09:10:16 PM
why not use this?
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12295031&lmdn=Fish+Decor&f=PAD%2FpsNotAvailInUS%2FNo

Title: Re: sealing stuff to make is fish safe.
Post by: four_by_ken on January 30, 2013, 06:58:04 AM
A baseball mitt (made of leather) will sink when it's water logged. Don't ask me how I know this......

Anyone that really played baseball knows that they will sink... gotta break them in using the kitchen sink, some rubber bands, a softball.



Title: Re: sealing stuff to make is fish safe.
Post by: GrizzlysDad on January 30, 2013, 06:48:28 PM
I know this is a kinda late reply but if you plan to silicone a baseball to a piece of slate, I think I have a better idea. Drill a small hole in the slate and use a galvanized screw to hold the ball to the slate.
Title: Re: sealing stuff to make is fish safe.
Post by: RichE on January 30, 2013, 09:46:11 PM
I know this is a kinda late reply but if you plan to silicone a baseball to a piece of slate, I think I have a better idea. Drill a small hole in the slate and use a galvanized screw to hold the ball to the slate.
Tony that is what I am planning to do, this a work in progress set up. I dont want to just slap something together to say its done, I am going to take my time and make this a Show tank, one the kids will talk about till there 90 LOL

They are huge into baseball, so I want to make it special for them.
Title: Re: sealing stuff to make is fish safe.
Post by: Maize-N-Blue-D on January 31, 2013, 09:05:33 AM
You could make these items out of styro foam and then coat them with dry lock. That would look cool !  Almost like they have been in the water for ages and are covered with coral ?  Steve seems to be the guy who is an expert with styro foam ???