Are Fishing Bobbers Aquarium Safe?

[Anonfish4]

So strange question. I know lol.
Anyways, I was looking for ways to entertain my two bettas. I was thinking of something to put in that will float (used ONLY with supervision) and my mind went to fishing bobbers.

Long story short, yeah I fish for sport. I'm as respectful to the fish as can be, handle them properly, and only have them out of the water long enough to unhook and possibly get a photo. I've been obsessed with panfish since I was a little kid, and have quite the collection of bobbers.

If I grabbed a small, never used bobber, would it be safe to have in the aquarium for a short time? Maybe half an hour max if they seemed really interested. I figured they could look at it, swim around it, maybe push it/bite at it, etc. Heck maybe it could be a good flaring tool lol. Just something to change up their routine some.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[StarGirl]

So strange question. I know lol.
Anyways, I was looking for ways to entertain my two bettas. I was thinking of something to put in that will float (used ONLY with supervision) and my mind went to fishing bobbers.

Long story short, yeah I fish for sport. I'm as respectful to the fish as can be, handle them properly, and only have them out of the water long enough to unhook and possibly get a photo. I've been obsessed with panfish since I was a little kid, and have quite the collection of bobbers.

If I grabbed a small, never used bobber, would it be safe to have in the aquarium for a short time? Maybe half an hour max if they seemed really interested. I figured they could look at it, swim around it, maybe push it/bite at it, etc. Heck maybe it could be a good flaring tool lol. Just something to change up their routine some.

Any thoughts on this?

Ping pong balls are perfectly safe.

 

[aae0130]

I’m an avid angler also and I build some of my own tackle. No attention is paid to making tackle aquarium safe. Some items have lead, chrome, and solvent based paints and epoxy coatings.

 

[Fishfur]

What are the bobbers made from? If they are made from plastic they should be safe to use.

Epoxies are a form of plastic and once an epoxy has fully cured it’s aquarium safe.

 

[bgarthe]

In some pet shops,they sell bobbers w a dangling mirror for 5-10 minute use. My betta liked his…..a cool toy.

 

[Anonfish4]

Ping pong balls are perfectly safe.

I'll probably go with ping pong balls then! I'll see if I can find any at the store tomorrow after I go to my college orientation

I’m an avid angler also and I build some of my own tackle. No attention is paid to making tackle aquarium safe. Some items have lead, chrome, and solvent based paints and epoxy coatings.

Yeah I never really thought about that. I kinda forgot the whole "danger lead" label on the majority of my tackle after I started holding hooks in my mouth while tying the line lol. I'll be going with ping pong balls as a safer option instead

What are the bobbers made from? If they are made from plastic they should be safe to use.

The one's I use are plastic usually painted red and white or orange and yellow. There is some metal though, specifically on the bottom and top to hold the line. Because of the possibility of lead, I'll be trying ping pong balls instead

In some pet shops,they sell bobbers w a dangling mirror for 5-10 minute use. My betta liked his…..a cool toy.

I've seen those. I usually show my bettas pictures of each other lol

 

[Fishfur]

I'll probably go with ping pong balls then! I'll see if I can find any at the store tomorrow after I go to my college orientation

Yeah I never really thought about that. I kinda forgot the whole "danger lead" label on the majority of my tackle after I started holding hooks in my mouth while tying the line lol. I'll be going with ping pong balls as a safer option instead

The one's I use are plastic usually painted red and white or orange and yellow. There is some metal though, specifically on the bottom and top to hold the line. Because of the possibility of lead, I'll be trying ping pong balls instead

I've seen those. I usually show my bettas pictures of each other lol

Makes sense. I’m not an angler so I’ve very little idea about the gear that’s used.

 

[briangcc1997]

Good tackle stores sell the cork floats. Something to consider if you're on the fence using plastic bobbers. Probably not much different content wise than using a Ping Pong ball manufactured in China using who knows what.

 

[chromedome52]

I have used plastic bobbers in place of corks to float spawning mops. Only problem is that the metal spring-hook that holds the fishing line eventually rusts away. But that takes many months of being submerged.

 

[Fishfur]

i have used small hollow glass ornament balls to hold up DIY spawning mops too but the yarn wrapped around them cushions them from accidental impact - they are fragile. But plastic free - always a plus!

Ping pong balls make better sense as fish toys or maybe a blob of cured spray insulating foam (if you happen to have a reason to use some).

 

[ProudPapa]

. . . The one's I use are plastic usually painted red and white or orange and yellow. There is some metal though, specifically on the bottom and top to hold the line. Because of the possibility of lead, I'll be trying ping pong balls instead

I would be astonished if those contain lead, or anything else dangerous.

 

[chromedome52]

Most plastic bobbers are molded from colored plastic, not painted. This is quite safe. The hook-spring is just a bit of steel wire, and even rusted away would add very little to the water.

 

[BPSabelhaus]

There's so many different styles, materials etc... none of which are intended to sit in water for a long time. Even then, it's expected to be in a large body of water. 50 gallons to percolate in is much smaller than a couple acres which would be the minimum expected contamination area. Acceptable levels there could be toxic when concentrated.

Carve your own. To be honest it's pretty relaxing. Willow and alder are pretty easy and contain medicine to leech in Mostly in the bark, roots and other external parts. But any remaining in the wood would leech out over time. Then you can do different styles. Could even do net bobbers with net remnants hanging for spawning mops

 

[aae0130]

Perhaps the cork from a wine bottle……..it’s a win win…….as you need to drink the wine to get the cork.