Plastic Cave and "Chemical Smell"

WaterBaby

WaterBaby

Senior Member with Senior Moments
Sep 23, 2002
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Florence, New Jersey
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I just bought this cave for my 5g ADF tank and put it in yesterday. This morning I opened the lid to feed them, and I smelled a smell that I can only describe as some kind of paint sealer spray (like you would use to seal painted wood). I picked up the decoration and smelled it. Yup, that was the smell.

I immediately took it out. I am concerned that it leached someting into the water. Anyone else have these in their tanks? I'm going to do a water change and hope my frogs don't suffer from it.

You know what... I'm gonna call the company, I think Top Fin and ask them...

Keep you posted.

Michele

Plastic Cave.jpg
 
You're Not Going To Believe This!!!

I just called the number on the tag for the cave decoration. I got Petsmart consumer division. Apparently Top fin is made exclusively for Petsmart.

I explained to her that I got the decoration yesterday, put it in the tank yesterday, and about the strong smell today. She tried to tell me that "that decoration is not supposed to be "IN" the tank. :thud: What are you supposed to do... put it "OUTSIDE" the tank and let the fish look at it....... I can't believe that I actually had to argue with her that it was a "TANK DECORATION" and that it goes "IN" the tank.....

She said to take it back to Petsmart for a refund or an exchange... I asked her if I could call Top Fin direct, and she said that there were no numbers to call. She said that she didn't even have their number.... I can't believe this...

So, back it goes, and I hope it didn't have and adverse effects on my frogs.

I just did a partial water change, and I still smell it.

I'm so mad :mad2:
 
I can't believe Topfin/Petsmart's response. It's not supposed to go in the tank??? :duh:

I have a Topfin decoration (fake wood) that also smells. But it doesn't smell like chemicals, just stinky. I think the material is slightly absorbent so it sucks up Prime or poop. It's definitely an organic or natural smell, though.

I made a thread about it somewhere (it's called "stinky fake wood" I think). Another member said she has the same ornament and also has noticed a smell. I would take it out of my tank, except 5 of my fish LOOOOVE it. My male upside-down catfish, and all 4 otos would be devastated if I took it out.

Maybe some new carbon in the filter will help get rid of the smell and the chemicals (if any)? Along with water changes, of course.
 
All the decor in my tanks is from PetSmart (got two of those ones that Paula is alluding two and a couple of stumps); just get a fishie smelll from them.

Can't believe that they are NOT for use in a tank, sounds sorta fishie to me (sorry for the bad pun! :p: )

Might be that the finish (paint or whatever) wasn't fully cured on the one you got...
 
Actually, I got this information from someone on my ADF group:

:eek: 'Spectrum Brands' owns 'Tetra Holdings' who owns 'Marineland'
who own 'Perfecto Manufacturing' who supposingly make the 'Top Fin' brand
for Petsmart! :eek:

I'm going to call them, and them and them, and them ...... and see if any of "them" knows anything...... :eek:
 
Called Perfecto

Nope, they don't know "nuttin".... So I called the Petsmart number on the tag again. This time I got someone who actually listened to me, agreed that this is an "IN" tank decoration, then told me to see if I could "WASH IT WITH DISH SOAP" to get the smell out......... :duh:

I give up.....
 
Michele-

I'd take it to the PetSmart where you bought it and return it.

Quick and easy solution!
 
The smell is probably just the epoxy/resin used to seal the ornament. I'd soak it for a few days (outside the tank if you're worried) and see if the smell improves. My Top Fin ornaments had that paint odor for the first few days and it went away. Now they just smell earthy. :huh: The fish have been in with them for several months and are fine.
 
I took it back and bought some more live plants... :dance2: They look nicer!!
 
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