kra-z-fishmumm

Any thoughts on using lead fish line weights to keep aquarium plants, fake or real, in place? I am short and putting everything back in order has to be done with a ladder() or when my kids(this incl. the hubby) come home.

With the weights, I find I can use the end of the algae scrubber to put things in place, without the need to grab the ladder.

seedy

The lead will leach into the water and possibly poison the fish over a period of time. Lead sinkers are banned in some places arond the world ,forcing fisher people to use resin based products.I would suggest something more natural like large pebbles siliconed to the bottom of the fake plants.For real plants not sure , maybe tied on with cotton or wool ( preferably not dyed ) but you would have to choose the shape carefully to make attaching easy.

darkwolf29a

I wouldn't use lead. Were it me, I'd go to the LFS and get some plant weights. They aren't lead, they're pewter, and work like a charm. I use them for a lot of stuff, including holding down veggies.

Ntruder1400

I also would not use lead. Lead shot was banned in this area many years ago for use in hunting (birdshot is now made from steel). If they think that birdshot would contaminate rivers and lakes from the releatively small amount of lead introduced into a relatively large body of water, I can only imagine what 5 or 6 lead weights in 50 gallons of water would do. I base this decision solely on that anecdotal evidence.

kra-z-fishmumm

Hmm,, I asked at the LPS and told them what I was using, and with their need to sell, sell, sell, they didn't offer anything different. I did buy a live plant, and it has a weight. I asked if the weight was lead, and the girl didn't know! I will check again once we can drive again. We are in the middle of freezing rain/sleet/snow storm. But will get the lead weights out ASAP. Thanks so much.

Leviticus

Pewter used to contain lead -and may still do so.

"Pewter is a metal alloy, traditionally between 85 and 99 percent tin, with the remainder consisting of 1-15 percent copper, acting as a hardener, with the addition of lead for the lower grades of pewter, which have a bluish tint."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pewter

Narcicius

So just to be safe no lead or pewter, just get some dense plastic weights.

COBettaCouple

I'd recommend using veggie clips for veggie slices.

kra-z-fishmumm

You won't believe this, I checked with the two closest LFS's and neither of them have the veggie clips or non lead plant weights!! Co-Betta they didn't even carry or have an idea about vitamins for the fish! I'm only an hour from St. Louis for goodness sakes, you'd think they would know or carry something of what I learn from you all!

Narcicius

The lfs might not be run by people who actually own aquariums in their own home. So your just out of luck there, try some internet sources you should be able to find some cheap.

OzzyFan

I've always used the aquarium's gravel to weigh down plants or fake plants...and by "Always" I mean "now with a 25-gallon and real plants" and "about 7 years ago when I had a 10-gallon with fake plants".

COBettaCouple

I'd recommend ordering from either drsfostersmith.com or petmountain.com, especially if local stores are so lacking.