plaster of paris

[454]

Has anyone used plaster of paris for aquarium decor? Does it leak harmful chemicals into the water? Or is it harmful for newts and salamanders?
thanks!

 

[blueberlin]

I didn't know that plaster of paris is water resistant - won't it turn to mud in water?

-Eva

 

[micstarz]

Yeah. The first thing I thought about was that it is going to like turn into soup of paris...

 

[Otterwoman]

And wasn't that stuff really dusty?

 

[peterrobbo]

Plaster of paris will go hard in water and I am sure it will stay hard. I am not sure it is chemically inert, i have a feeling that it may make the water become too full off minerals ( alkaline & hard) for newts etc.
Peter

 

[John]

Plaster of Paris dissolves slowly over time in water. This will be less of a problem in hard water but it will still dissolve. I wouldn't use it.

 

[oceanblue]

I agree with John, Plaster of Paris will set out of water but the block , which is Gypsum, (hydrated Calcium Sulphate) slowly dissolves. Slow release fish food blocks used to be sold with POP as the binder. The tank water will become very hard with high calcium and sulphate levels. Avoid.