Are painted pots OK?

[fishcakey]

Today I went into Marshalls and saw someone had an accident and a pot was spilt right in two! I thought it would be perfect for my tank so I got it for only 2 dollars because it's a pretty big pot. I brought it home and my dad is a tropical fish expert (sort of) and told me it could be dangerous. I was planning on letting it soak in water for a few days and thought that would be fine and of course sand down some of the jagged edges. It's painted an aqua color and has a glaze, and I'm pretty sure it's painted on plain terracota. Do you think it would be OK, or could there be some dangerous leachates? If so, is there any way to fix it, because I love the color of the pot!

 

[yellowpebble]

hey. If its paint, leave it out, however if ih has been glazed and fired, it sould be fine because that process turns the 'paint' into glass. If it is blue and glossy and glass like on the outside chances it is ok. Good idea leaving it soak, see if you can notice any changes in it and maybe test the water it is in to see if it alters chemistry.

 

[fishcakey]

It's a bit odd, the outsides are glazed, but inside it looks like someone spray painted it or something. I guess better safe than sorry. I'll use it in the garden or something.

 

[SludgeMunkey]

Unless you know what kind of paint and glaze was used, leave them out.