Legos are a classic toy that many children and adults enjoy playing with. Their bright colors and ability to connect t ogether sparks creativity. Some people wonder if you can combine Legos and fish tanks to create an underwater Lego world. There are pros and cons to putting Legos in a fish tank.
Should You Put Legos in a Fish Tank
Putting Legos in a fish tank is generally not recommended. There are a few reasons why Legos and fish tanks don’t mix well:
Safety for Fish
The main concern with putting Legos in a fish tank is the potential harm to fish. Legos have small, intricate parts that can easily trap fish if they swim inside. The holes and gaps could pinch fins or tails and injure fish.
Sharp Lego edges could also scratch or cut fish that rub against them. The plastic material of Legos is also not designed to go in aquariums. Chemicals from the plastic could potentially leach into the water and make fish sick.
Difficulty Cleaning
Legos make cleaning a fish tank much more difficult. Debris and algae easily get trapped in small Lego pieces. Taking all the Legos out to clean properly is time consuming.
And any food or waste stuck in Legos that stays in the tank can pollute the water. Clean water is extremely important for fish health.
Risk of Clogs and Filter Damage
The small, movable parts of Legos also increase the risk of clogs. Loose Lego pieces could get sucked into the filter intake and clog up or damage the filter. A blocked filter means toxic nitrogen cycle waste builds up.
Lego pieces disturbed by fish could even end up blocking the drain and preventing water changes. This causes dangerous ammonia and nitrite spikes.
Aesthetic Impact
Some people want to put Legos in their aquarium because they think it will look cool. However, Legos at the bottom of a tank make it harder to properly aquascape and decorate.
The unnatural plastic colors of Legos usually don’t complement live plants and other decor. They ultimately end up looking out of place and cluttered.
10 Genius Tips to Prevent Calcium Deposits in Your Fish Tank: Adding Playfulness to Your AquariumBenefits of Adding Legos to a Fish Tank
While there are risks, some aquarists think carefully adding Legos can work in specific scenarios. Here are some proposed benefits:
Creative Designs
Gluing Legos together to make interesting shapes and structures can provide new decoration ideas. Legos offer opportunities for DIY caves, overhangs, and towers. If properly secured, custom Lego creations can liven up a tank’s look.
Building Platforms
In large tanks, floating Lego platforms can allow fish to explore different levels. Lego bases attached over substrate can elevate live plants or tank dividers. Just be sure platforms are securely built with aquarium-safe adhesives.
Hiding Spots for Fry and Shy Fish
When used sparingly, Lego structures can create extra hiding spots to reduce fish stress. This is especially helpful for breeding tanks with new fry and shy species like bettas. Just avoid tight spaces where fish can fully get stuck and injured.
Educational Value for Kids
Supervising children building simple Lego scenery in aquariums can be a fun learning activity. Seeing their Lego creations actually being used in a real underwater environment gets kids engaged with fish care. Adult supervision is still required to prevent any Lego-related accidents or water quality issues.
Tips for Adding Legos to a Fish Tank
If you want to try using Legos in a fish tank, follow these tips to reduce risks:
- Soak Legos in hot water for thorough cleaning before adding. Make sure to rinse off all soap residues.
- Only use brand new Legos or properly disinfected used Legos to prevent disease transmission.
- Glue or securely attach all Legos together and to tank surfaces. This prevents loose hazardous pieces.
- Avoid large piles of Legos that can trap fish or make cleaning difficult.
- Place Legos away from filter intakes to prevent clogging. Maintain a Lego-free zone around drains too.
- Check Legos daily and remove immediately if any issues are seen with fish or water clarity.
- Limit Lego use to gentler community tanks without aggressive fish that may dislodge pieces.
- Make sure tank lids and covers still fit properly over any Lego structures that extend above the water.
Suitable Fish for Lego Aquariums
These fish species are gentle and appropriate for tanks with secure Lego projects:
- Tetras
- Rasboras
- Danios
- Guppies
- Platies
- Mollies
- Corydoras catfish
- Otocinclus catfish
- Cherry barbs
- Gouramis
- Bettas (with no fin-nipping tankmates)
- Plecos
- Snails like mystery snails or nerite snails
- Shrimp like cherry shrimp or amano shrimp
Avoid pairing Legos with aggressive fish that may bite or knock pieces around like cichlids, goldfish, or crayfish.
Best Aquarium Plants for Lego Tanks
Live plants help improve water quality in tanks with Legos. Some good plant options include:
- Java fern
- Anubias
- Cryptocorynes
- Amazon swordplants
- Java moss
- Marimo moss balls
- Hornwort
- Anacharis
- Floating plants like duckweed or water lettuce
Stem plants need to be rooted carefully away from Lego structures. Plants with small or fine leaves can get caught in Lego gaps more easily.
Lego Aquarium Design Inspiration
| Aquarium Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Underwater City | Build Lego buildings, roads, streetlights and cars for a cityscape. Use blue and green bricks for water effects. |
| Coral Reef | Make tube-shaped structures from yellow, orange, pink Legos to mimic coral. Add sea animals. |
| Sunken Ship | Create a Lego pirate shipwreck scene with treasure chests and barrels. Use grey bricks and seaweed plants. |
| Ancient Ruins | Make Lego columns, temples, and statues overgrown with plants. Use tan, brown, and stone colors. |
| Fairy Garden | Construct miniature mushrooms, gazebos, and castles. Decorate with small plants and moss balls. |
Step-By-Step Guide for Building a Lego Shipwreck
Follow this guide to make a shipwreck from Legos:
Supplies Needed
- Aquarium-safe silicone or epoxy
- Baseplate or foundation Lego bricks
- Lego bricks in grey, brown, black
- Small plastic sea animals like crabs, lobsters, fish
Instructions
- Plan out the wreck design. Make rough sketches to visualize how bricks will connect.
- Wash all Lego pieces thoroughly and let fully dry.
- Apply glue to base of model and attach to a sturdy baseplate. Let glue cure completely.
- Build up the main ship body using grey and brown bricks. Create uneven, damaged shapes with gaps and missing sections.
- Add details like control consoles, barrels, and masts using black bricks and poles. Break masts in half and tilt at angles.
- Secure small sea creatures like crabs around the model. Make sure any moving parts won’t fall off.
- Place weighted baseplate securely on tank bottom in desired location.
- Monitor fish behavior closely. Remove the model if any problems occur.
- Perform frequent water testing and changes to prevent pollution from debris.
- Enjoy your mini shipwreck! Make adjustments as needed for optimal safety and appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Legos go in saltwater tanks?
No, only use Legos in freshwater tanks. The saltwater would corrode and damage the Lego plastic.
Do Legos change pH in tanks?
Lego plastic is inert and should not affect pH in tanks. But debris buildup in Legos can lower pH, so clean them regularly.
Can I glue Legos right in the tank?
It’s best not to use adhesives directly in the tank. Fumes and chemicals getting in the water could harm fish. Fully cure glued models outside the tank first.
How often should I clean Legos in a tank?
Check Legos at least once a week for any food/waste buildup. Take out and clean dirty Legos immediately to keep water clean.
Can saltwater fish like clownfish or tangs be in a Lego tank?
No, you should never put saltwater fish in a Lego tank. Even with diluted salt, the Legos can leach chemicals harmful to marine life.
Conclusion
While visually appealing, incorporating Legos into fish tank decor requires careful planning and maintenance. Securely gluing together bright Lego structures can provide aesthetic value if done properly. But loose Lego pieces usually end up harming water quality and fish health in tanks. Prioritizing a safe environment for fish should be the number one goal.
There are creative ways to include Legos that minimize risks, like building platforms and modest decor scenes. But fishkeepers should be prepared to remove Legos at the first sign of issues. With the right precautions and tank choices, small Lego additions can work as an educational project for kids. Just be sure to keep a close eye on things to prevent injuries or water pollution in any aquarium with Legos.
FAQs
Can I put any small toys in my fish tank, not just Legos.
It’s generally not recommended to put any toys not designed for aquarium use into a fish tank. Any small, loose parts could get sucked into filters or clog intakes. And plastic materials not made for water can leach chemicals. If you want to add decorations, use only aquarium-safe resins or ornaments.
What about attaching other toys like action figures or dollhouse items with aquarium glue.
Gluing rigid toys like action figures or dollhouses to make decorations can potentially work, but it’s still risky. The main concern is any paints or small accessories coming off the toys and contaminating the water. Your safest option is to use resin decorations made for fish tanks.
Could I put a large, solid Lego sculpture in my tank without gluing it.
A single, intact Lego model that can’t come apart may seem safe at first. But fish moving around could still gradually dislodge pieces over time that can clutter the tank bottom. Any parts coming loose in the water would make proper cleaning difficult too. It’s always best to securely glue any Legos added to tanks.
Is it safe to let my kids play with Legos in the tank for supervised playtime.
Having kids assemble Legos directly in the tank for short periods can seem like fun education. However, it poses many of the same risks as leaving Legos in permanently. Loose pieces can still fall off and get stuck places. Close supervision is required, and Legos must be completely removed after kids are done playing to prevent issues.
Could I attach a baseplate on the bottom and connect Legos on top above the water for decor.
Attaching a Lego baseplate to the bottom as a foundation and then building a Lego structure on top that sits above the water line can work. This prevents any issues of loose pieces falling in the tank. Just be sure the decorations don’t obstruct lighting, feeding, or tank access. And check that lids can close properly over the Legos.