My fish aren't eating their veggies

[FrAnK3333]

y not lead?

 

[gale]

lead is poisonous.

 

[Griz]

And many other metals can be poisonous as well: copper, chromium, nickel and zinc come to mind but there are lots more. It depends on the concentration however, many trace metals are present in water and they don't effect fish adversely at all. Many are beneficial to plants and are neccessary for their good health. These same metals can be toxic if present at high enough levels. As a general rule, I would say that it is best not to indroduce metals into a tank without looking into it first. Remember, many rocks contain metals.

 

[BobK]

Okay, then I'm really confused. I just bought my first plants over the weekend and they have lead weights on them. When I've looked at other lfs at the plants they've had lead weights as well. That's the only reason I thought the fishing weights would be okay. None of the stores sell the plant weights or at least none I've been at. Maybe I'll talk to someone and see if they can either give me a couple or special order them. I guess I could be wrong about the lead plant weights but I really don't think so.

 

[Griz]

Yes, people do use lead and have for many many years. IMO it doesn't make sense to use something as highly toxic as lead in a closed environment like an aquarium. Lead solder was banned years ago for use on water pipes in residential applications. If it's toxic for us, it has to be bad for fish, especially for long lived species since the effects of lead are cummulative. There are those who will surely say that lead is fine and that I am being over-cautions but I choose to play it safe.

 

[BobK]

Okay, good reasoning. When you put it that way it makes a whole lot of sense. I'll have to figure out something else.

As for the peas Gale, I'll try mashing them with a spoon like you do, thanks everone.

 

[gale]

hm I guess I just assumed the plant weights were not lead. Maybe they are? They're some kind of easily bendy metal. hmmm I might email the plant place and ask.

 

[Def]

If you've got the same stuff I've seen, it's not lead. I don't recall what it is precisely, but Java plants ship their plants with it too...

 

[Griz]

I think Def is correct. Not all "lead" weights are actually lead, some are made of other materials but I'm not certain what.

 

[Shark_Lover]

*SPANKS FISH*

Very bad fishies!!!!

 

[BobK]

I just did a Yahoo! search on "aquarium plant weights". I read that the weights are lead and yes you should discard them if they are unprotected. I see some places sell coated lead weights on line. I think I'm going to buy some. Big Al's doesn't have any. Here's a link:

http/www.plantguild.com/html/bolo_weights.html