I am aware of how bad artificial and painted ornaments are for a fish tank, but I’ve seen some people put their smiski figurines in their tanks, and it looks really cute.
I’m very hesitant to do so as I don’t want to cause harm.
Smiski figurines are made of a durable plastic called ATBC-PVC. This material is phthalate-free and bio-based, so it's a safe and non-toxic choice. What makes Smiski extra special is the phosphorescent material mixed in, which absorbs light and then releases it as a magical glow in the dark.
Posted by gothetillies22
6 Comments
I have one in mine
The description says its safe, but its not been tested for aquariums or underwater use. plastic toys have a way of degrading over time and then releasing toxic chemicalss… maybe try covering it in a clear silicone? Ive never tried putting decor in my only tank
I’d probably coat it in aquarium safe epoxy just to be on the safe side.
If you’re unsure, then you shouldn’t. Maybe put them around the outside of the tank instead
Far from an expert, but I’d say yes. PVC is obviously safe as the default piping material in the hobby. The plasticizer is the wild card, but apparently ATBC is commonly used in medical devices and even safe to ingest as a thin coating on pills and tablets.
Edit: Did a little more research—hadn’t realized they glow in the dark. Presuming they use zinc sulfide like most glow in the dark toys, you shouldn’t put these in your tank. Zinc sulfide is toxic to some aquatic life. It’s actually been used as a larvicide.
I personally wouldn’t. It doesn’t sound like the plastic is dangerous, and PVC is widely considered aquarium-safe, and a lot of aquarium tech is made from it. The issue for me is the paint on the face. If I *had to* put the figure in the tank, I would remove the face, but I am also aware that ruins the aesthetic of the figure.
I’m also somewhat concerned at what the deterioration rate of a “bio-based” plastic is. Usually you see that label on things as a way to assure consumers that it will break down more easily than fully synthetic plastics when trashed. It’s hard to know what the ramifications of that are in an aquarium setting. You don’t want that kind of stuff dissolved into your water, because it won’t go away. Water changes can reduce some of it, but it won’t get rid of it completely. Plus, if the figure starts breaking down, it won’t be cute anymore.