Mirror in new tank - bad idea?

[Carinya]

I'm building a custom acrylic tank for Manny (N. Wenn) and from watching him while he's in his temporary eclipse home, I think it would be nice to have a mirror on the back wall so I could see him if he's skulking around back there. Just something I'm toying around with. So, 2 questions:

1) would he be aggressive toward the reflected image of himself? I'm guessing so & that this aspect will probably kill the idea.

2) does anyone know if the materials used to manufacture mirrors would leach anything harmful into the water? I suppose it depends on the mirror but just a regular old one you could find at Walgreens...

I have been taking pics as I go & will try to post the tank when completed. It'll be a while yet though...I'm a slow builder.

Thank you!
Carinya

 

[Gonodactylus]

Generally stomatopods will become used to their reflection and ignore it just as they do a glass tank wall. However, when excited, they will attack the image. Thie is how I've managed to film a variety of threats and strikes.

As for the mirror, the "silvering" of some mirrors does contain heavy metals that you do not want to introduce into your system. There are stainless steel mirrors that would be safe. You can also coat a mirrow with a waterproof plastic or epoxy that should make it O.K.

Roy

 

[Carinya]

Thank you

 

[Carinya]

Thought I'd share that he moved to a burrow that faces the back of the tank and I found the perfect sized mirror at Walgreens...sold as a locker mirror. I coated it liberally (twice) with aquarium silicone and it's now in position in the tank. Manny checked it out but no problems & it's nice to be able to get a glimpse of him if I want.

C

 

[redwinger02]

Why not just attach the mirror to the back glass with velcro? That way it is not in the water and you don't have to worry about him shattering it and leaching stuff into the water.

 

[Carinya]

tank back is painted black.

the mirror is flexible...it's def not glass. and with all that silicone it's not going to be leaching anything.

seems to be working out great for this setup, but thanks for your suggestions.