Terracota ceramics for caves still safe or not?

[Rey]

I've heard several opinions on the use of Terracotta pots. I know they have been used as pleco caves for years as well as fired ceramic vases in discus tanks for even longer. But I am curious what people think are all terracotta pots safe?

I have one cylinder one intended to be used as a "wine chiller" as it is imprinted with those words it's about bit wider than a wine bottle that I'd like to use as a temporary cave for my large common. Should I stick with pleco intended caves only?

Has anyone had deaths or illness after adding one, I realize it would take some time for any impurities to leak out. And not sure where it was manufactured. I bought it from Hobby Lobby a chain of craft stores in the U.S.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
I think all non-glazed ceramic should be all right, it is fired at a high enough temperature that it will be inert. Because it was intended as a "wine chiller", the pot is probably porous (the wine is cooled by the water evaporating through the pot wall) and you may find it breaks up after a while.

Any modern glazed ceramic should be all right as well, but really old items might have lead glazed etc.

cheers Darrel

 

[Irene0100]

I would think it would be fine. if you are at all worried if it is old and has been stored where it could collect bacteria try boiling in salty water for 10 mins then wash well to remove salt