Lego Experiment

Question
Hello Renee, I am setting up an experiment for class that is testing the territorial behavior of false percula clownfish. I was wondernig if Legos are safe to use in a salt water aquarium, because it is easy enough to change them into different shapes. If you could recommend something else then I am all ears.

Answer
Hi Eric,

I honestly don't have a definitive answer to your question, however, using simple logic, I can say that it's plausible that they will be fine in an aquarium and here is why:

Lego's are a child's toy and the plastic has to be treated to not exhude any chemicals, because we all know that children put things in their mouths.  Although every mother in the world would advise that a Lego never enter a child's mouth, we've all used them and held them between our teeth while we work on building things.  Therefore, I would deduce that they are chemical free and that the plastic is probably safe to submerse.

Now, look for some signs after submersion.  Should the water cloud, remove them immediately.  It may take about a week to get cloudy, but that is a very sure sign of bad plastic.

I don't expect that it will, however, because there are aquariums with Legos in them, online, and they seem to be in good shape.

http://images.travelpod.com/users/sarahindenmark/denmark.1191265860.dsc03005.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/34rtwu1.jpg

http://www.zoochat.com/gallery/data/1568/SEALIFEAquarium29.jpg

http://www.zoochat.com/22/review-carlsbad-sea-life-aquarium-legoland-111949/ and last, Carlsbad Sea Life Aquarium - Lego Land. :)

I believe they are fine to place in water for these reasons.

I hope this helps and I am anxious to find out what your experiment will be and if you would share it with me, it will be published on All Experts for others to read.  You can send photos by attaching them to your responses.

Renee