If you are similar to us, you are probably always looking for ways to spice up your fish tank. From adding new plants, ornaments, or fish, it may seem like there are endless ways to give your fish tank more character. There is even a recent trend where people are putting food coloring in their fish tank. That will be the topic of today’s discussion, and we will explain whether or not it is safe to put food coloring into an aquarium.
Can I Put Food Coloring In My Fish Tank
Yes, you can put food coloring in your fish tank. However, it is better to put artificial food coloring rather than natural food coloring. This is because artificial food coloring is more regulated. Artificial food coloring is certified by the FDA, and is what you usually find at your local grocery store. The main ingredients in artificial food coloring are water, propylene glycol (an artificial material that helps the food coloring dissolve in water), and the color additive (which is safe for humans to consume and safe for your fish). At the moment, there are 5 main color additives that are approved by the FDA.
We do not recommend putting natural food coloring in your fish tank. Natural food coloring can be made from a wide range of vegetables, plants, and sometimes animals. While most of these things are safe for fish, they are not FDA certified and thus might be unhealthy for your fish. A fish’s gills are very sensitive, and even the slightest change in oxygen or nitrogen levels can hurt the fish. Since some of the vegetable based food colorings might alter these levels, we recommend only putting in artificial food coloring.
Additionally, artificial food coloring is cheaper than natural food coloring. Artificial also has a much stronger, uniform color which is better for your fish tank. If you are adding food coloring to your fish tank, we recommend doing it slowly, one drop at a time. Food coloring can be very strong, and only a couple drops can completely alter the color of a 20 gallon tank. You should also be aware that there is a chance the food coloring does not stay around if you have a high powered filter. However, if you don’t have a filtration system, or it is low volume, the water color could stay for weeks. You should make sure that the water is still clear so that the fish can see where they are swimming and you can still see inside your tank. Just as a safety precaution, we recommend checking the water chemistry of your fish tank after you add food coloring to make sure that the water is still safe for your fish.
