Here at Fish Tank Expert, we are frequently asked questions about what can and cannot go inside of a fish tank. It is important that you always make sure anything you put in your fish tank is not made of any toxic materials. We also recommend, even if the object is an ornament meant to go in fish tanks, to always soak and wash an object for 24 hours before placing it inside the fish tank. The chemistry of the water in a fish tank is fragile and subject to rapid change, so the presence of even a small toxic item can have a devastating effect on your fish and their ecosystem. In today’s article, we are going to discuss whether or not you should put hot wheels in your fish tank.
Can you put hot wheels in a fish tank?
No, you should not put hot wheels in a fish tank. The main reason you should never put a hot wheels car inside a fish tank is because of the paint and metal material that the car is made from.
Paint
The main paint used on hot wheel cars is called enamel. While enamel isn’t necessarily toxic to fish, it can still endanger your fish tank ecosystem. This is because hot wheel cars were not made to go underwater, and thus the paint used on the cars will soon bleed off after it is submerged underwater for a couple days. This leaking paint can change the color of your water, and can also harm any life vegetation you have in your tank. Lastly, the hot wheel car will not look as cool once all of the paint has washed away.
Metal
Hot Wheels are made from a substance called ZAMAC. Zamac stands for Zinc, Aluminum, Magnesium, and Copper, which are the four metals that make up the compound. While Magnesium and Copper aren’t toxic to a fish tank, both Zinc and Aluminum can be very toxic for your fish. These metals can sneak its way into your fish’s gills, and cause serious breathing problems. Additionally, both aluminum and zinc can oxides and become rusty if left underwater for a long period of time. This can cause flakes of the metal to shake loose from the car and travel throughout the fish tank.
Cars Themed Fish Tank
Even though we don’t recommend putting hot wheels in your fish tank, this does not mean you can’t have a cars themed fish tank. There are plenty of car ornaments that are specifically designed to go inside of fish tanks. Below are my two favorites. They are both made from a plastic called Resin which is 100% safe for your fish tank. These cars are also much bigger than hot wheels, so they will fit in much better in a larger tank. You can click on the pictures below for more details on the product.
