Are ornamental decorations in a reef o.k.?

[poissons]

I just saw a few pirate ships and such at a LFS and thought they would really look neat in my reef tank. I was thinking of doing a Pirates of the Caribbean theme to my reef tank. Are these reef safe and are there any plusses or minusses in having them?

I was also thinking of putting a golden budah statue in the tank so that the reef could have harmony. Would any of these be harmful?

If any of ya'll have any of these type of decorations for sale please let me know, and any advice would be appreciated.

 

[bladeruner143]

The ornamental decor is reef safe from what I know. Most people just don't have them in their tanks because it takes away from the "realistic" look of the tank. but if you like the way they look, you should definitely put them in. The only thing that really matters is how much YOU like the tank!

 

[Bdimas]

If you think it looks cool then go for it.
I am curious about the golden budah though. Can you purchase it at a pet store or is it a decoration that you have?

 

[xia]

Yeah definitely don't put anything metal or brass in it.

 

[MrMikeB]

Well if you want some really easy to keep corals, then I say go for it. Its your tank, build it the way you like it.

 

[funman1]

I had heard never put them in a SW tank because the paint will fade and slowly disolve into the water.

But That's just what I heard back when I got into the hobby?

 

[Twisted]

This ship was in my freshwater tank for 4 years. When I switched it to saltwater two years ago I decided to see how it would look. The feather duster all those zoas, and a ricordia are all attatched to it. The candy canes were added recently. I have also added a 3 inch frag of rainbow monti to the top of it since this picture, wanted to see if it would encrust the whole ship

 

[Mr. Ugly]

Did you guys see the red ceramic sea monster/dragon that Mingwei put in the display tank by the door. Totally cracked me up. I kinda like it in there

He's waiting for it to get all covered in coralline

 

[Twisted]

I was actually considering putting the balled up looking chinese dragon statue in the nano and then glueing zoas to it....but then my wife adopted the nano and told me no...

 

[RasBobre]

I have a client that when I took over her aquarium, she had a big ol' plastic anchor in her tank with phosphates off the chart.

I removed the anchor and added a reactor and a few months later there were no phosphates.

I do know that certain plastics leach phosphates.

Same reason to use the Brute line trash cans for mixing saltwater. Food quality plastics only should go into your aquarium.

If it was made in China, I would doubt that it would be safe.

 

[Twisted]

No idea where my ship was made, I am sure it is just a Penn Plax brand or something....hmmm, I have had phospahte problem though...makes you wonder....

Happen to have a link that shows that?

 

[kevin95695]

Dudes: After the whole petfood laced with kidney killer and extacy tainted toy thing, I will NEVER eat another chinese product. Whatsoever. And if *I* won't eat it... It certainly doesn't belong in my tank. And for the love of Pete, I will never let my children eat another Chinese toy, EVER.

But I'll still hit "Silver Dragon" when I can.

 

[bkmorris]

LOL, kevin, you are taking your life into your own hands by going to the silver dragon. i suppose some of us just prefer life on the edge, eh?

 

[poissons]

The budha is made of some sort of metal... zinc or copper I think. Its not brass, so I should be ok. I am so excited on starting this reef!

 

[Bdimas]

Dont put any type of metal in your tank especially copper.

 

[Twisted]

Copper leaking into your tank will kill everything, except maybe the fish. No copper in a reef tank!

 

[poissons]

No copper?! I put a bunch of shiny pennies in the bottom on this decorative chest to make it look like a real treasure chest to go with my pirate theme. Right next to where I put the Buddha to balance it out. This is not a good idea?

I am so lost!

 

[Reef n' Madness]

pennies have very little actual copper now a days but I still wouldn't suggest it.

 

[Tilmo2180]

Too much copper will kill everything from what I have read. I would not suggest leaving them in there.

 

[poissons]

Now I am worried...let me go look in on them.