Beer Can as Decor? - Aquarium Advice

burzw0538 · 06-07-2009, 02:56 AM

I am in college and want to have a tank in my dorm. I'd also like to represent my passion for my favorite beer. I got this idea to start a planted tank that looks slightly polluted ...but I don't want to hurt my guppies. i would like to take an empty can and insert an air stone and arrange it with some stones and plants but I am afraid that the can will rust or have some other negative effect on the water quality. does anyone have any ideas of any sealants or compounds to coat my can to be safe without breaking my wallet? Am I just worrying too much? Has anyone else done this before...or had this dream?

Photos if you have them please.

beglely · 06-07-2009, 05:50 AM

I considered this once but alas concluded that I prefer the look of an unpolluted aquarium. I do not believe a can is a good idea. The metals on a can are not healthy, and essentially you are polluting your aquarium. If you find a way to make your can environmentally safe in an economical way, then I think you should get a patent and start up some talks with people in washington haha. As far as I know I dont think there is any way to safely put a can in an aquarium without problems arising. Rust would be a big one. You might try glass bottles though, considering the aquarium is made of glass. Just clean the bottles really well without soap, and I think that might actually work. However to represent your beer you would need a label on the bottle and the label will probably come off eventually underwater

Andrey · 06-07-2009, 06:44 AM

If a can is made of aluminium it won't corrode. But planted tank should looks as a piece of nature so any kinds of pollution are not appropriate. If I wonted to combine fishtank with passion for beer I would use a background whith a proper image.

cwt · 06-07-2009, 12:11 PM

Even if the aluminum itself does not leach into the water (and I'm iffy on that) there are the inks and coating materials which are used for labeling and inside the can (believe it or not, Keystone didn't invent the lined can, despite their ads ;0 ... they all use some sort of food-grade 'stuff' on the inside.)

On the other hand, a green or brown glass beer bottle, label removed and totally cleaned inside and out (think: boil it like driftwood), would be much more a water-neutral object, I'd think. Not saying I recommend it; neither object would have much water circulation in/out of it without two openings, so waste would probably collect in it after a time.

beglely · 06-07-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrey

If a can is made of aluminium it won't corrode. .

Actually it will to an extent. Aluminum corrosion is the formation of aluminum oxide. Its hard to notice since the corrosion is often white or aluminum looking which disguises the process. This corrosion also forms a layer that protects more aluminum from corroding itself. But I was wrong when I said it would rust

FishEggs · 06-07-2009, 12:59 PM

I guess it would be an american lake aquarium. you'll have to get some bass or trout or maybe bluegill to go with the beer can.

partypalooza5 · 06-09-2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishEggs

I guess it would be an american lake aquarium. you'll have to get some bass or trout or maybe bluegill to go with the beer can.

Don't forget the old car tire and the washing machine!

mom2reds · 06-09-2009, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by partypalooza5

Don't forget the old car tire and the washing machine!

and the old shoe or boot (Ha Ha)

martiniduck · 06-07-2009, 02:43 PM

What if you get gravel in the color of you beer and put the cardboard from a case of it as your background. I would think if you could find a drinking glass or shot glasses with your brands name on it it would be safe to put inside. Anyone know if those will leach in the water?

Mystery · 06-07-2009, 02:51 PM

I think people try to enforce their own aesthetics on others. Planted tanks can't have bright fish, castles are bad as they are out fo scale with the fish etc. If you want to put a can in, put a can in, the fish will not care. Aluminium does not leach as it forms and imperminable oxide coating even on freshly cut surfaces. Just make sure there are no sharp edges that might cut fish and no areas they might squeeze into and get trapped. If you want to do this and like the look of it, go for it!