Comments on: Is there a difference between salt water aquarium decorations or fresh water decor?

By: danielle Z

danielle Z — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:19:59 +0000

Salt or excess salt may wear paint or plastics. If it says for fresh water aquariums it isn't for brackish or salt. DO NOT use it. YES it matters in a salt or semi salt tanik. Some plastics can break down in salt or even brackish water enviroments. you could end up with a mess here.
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By: Gary C

Gary C — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:34:59 +0000

For most decorations, there is no difference.
The exception would be decorations that include metal parts. Some metals, like brass or stainless steel, are stable in fresh water but will quickly corrode in salt water. Alloys like brass or bronze are especially dangerous because they contain copper, which is toxic to fish and highly toxic to invertebrates.

Most items made for aquariums nowadays, though, contain no metal. They are made of plastic, ceramic, or glass, or any combination of these, which are pretty much inert in water.
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By: jaberwocky

jaberwocky — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:46:59 +0000

if it is real coral or shells they are salt water decorations
if man made it is for fresh
fresh decorations may be okay for salt, but salt is not okay for fresh.
check the ph that your fish prefer,if it is lower than neutral then saltwater decorations may work
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By: thatfishchick

thatfishchick — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:14:59 +0000

If is made from an inert material such as certain plastics – there will be no difference and you will see no ill effects.

//EDIT EDIT//
I do challenge my single nay-sayer (*who I’m betting is Danielle Z) to open their sump and prove me wrong by displaying that there is not a single piece of plastic in their tank. Motor housings, pvc pipe work, acrylic constructs for overflows or the tank altogether (*oh, yes indeed, acrylic is a thermoplastic), etc, it’s all plastic.

So, again, it depends on the materials in question and their reactivity.
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