Metal Ring On Plant - Will It Leach Into Water?

[Florin Andrei]

One of the plants I bought has a metal ring at the bottom, maybe to weigh it down, maybe for some other unknown purpose. The nature of the metal is unknown.

I was wondering if there's a risk that the metal will react slowly with whatever substances might be there, and slowly leach into the water, possibly reaching dangerous levels. I wouldn't be too worried if it's stainless steel, but if it's brass or something like that, then I can easily imagine how copper ions would slowly build up in the water.

Should I remove the ring? Does it serve any practical purpose?

This picture should help you identify the plant species, the ring is buried at the bottom, not visible in this picture; the plant looks better now, the picture is kind of old:

 

[Caprichoso]

There is sketchy info on whether or not lead weights can harm the tank. I've heard they are perfectly safe and I've heard that they're not. I'm sure someone will chime in with a quoted article on it, lol. I personally always remove them. The lfs use them to weight the plant down and keep the roots/plant together. Your plant should be able to stay down in the gravel until the roots can take hold. If you find that it won't you can place a couple of rocks around the base of the plant for a few weeks until the roots do take hold.

The plant looks like a wisteria of some sort. I don't know the latin name.

 

[StagnantSun]

I'll second the wisteria vote. Hygrophila difformis if I'm not mistaken.

If you can remove the weight without much harm to the root system it's developed since the picture was taken, I'd say go for it. As Caprichoso said, opinions are kinda split on whether or not it will affect your water but the weight simply isn't necessary once the plant is in a place it can call home.

 

[StandbySetting]

They're generally made of Lead and Magnesium, both are completely insoluble in water.

 

[raptorrex]

They're generally made of Lead and Magnesium, both are completely insoluble in water.

indeed so! plain lead is fine in an aquarium. but 'plant Lead' is used because its safe.