Lead strips?

[Soggybottom]

The metal bands often used with foam to make bunches of stem plants, are they made of lead? sure seems like it...

If so, they shouldn't be going anywhere near a tank with livestock right?

[thegrandpoohbah]

You are correct sir!

[CACAdmin]

Hadn't thought about it but I think you're probably right. Wonder where we could get a definitive answer.

[Melody]

Always thought it was weird that they're used and packaged for aquariums though... what's up with that?

[Soggybottom]

It would be nice if there was some kind of warning. Lead probably leaches into water as much as any other metal, and even benign metals aren't a good idea for fish right?

Products like keychains have been recalled for having too much lead. Strange that these could still be used. I guess maybe the regulatory bodies aren't aware of the practice...

[thegrandpoohbah]

It's because it's fish, not puppies or kittens. Nobody but us cares about fish.

[PPulcher]

There is an entry in the Aquarium Wiki about plant weights. Some are not lead, but are made of magnesium and zinc (see the article for the potentially risky way to test). In alkaline water, lead plant weights should not be a big concern because of the oxide on the lead. It can be more of a concern in acidic water and tanks with inverts.

http://theaquariumwiki.com/Lead

[Melody]

Interesting! Thanks for the additional info.