Metal plant weights

[Perseusmom]

Does anyone here use the metal plant weights ? I got a couple of some plants I ordered and put one around some Hornwort to sink it last night but got worried this morning about if they are safe or not ? Every thing I looked up says they are safe but I dont want to risk it so I took it off my Hornwort. Anyone use them or know if they are safe and not toxic to fish ?

[OrangeAugust]

do you mean those ones that are wrapped around the bunches of hortwort and other floating plants when you buy them in the store? I've been using one to weigh some hornwort on the bottom of my tank... I never thought that they would be toxic. Hmm...

[Perseusmom]

Yes those, yeah it just hit me this morning if they were truly safe or not and of course I got worried so I took it out.

[BettaQi]

Maybe just tie your plants to a rock?

If you have invertebrates, they are more sensitive to metal load.

[Perseusmom]

Yep thanks BettaQi that is what I will do.

[ZergyMonster]

Those are usually made from a malleable metal such as zinc. It is non-toxic to aquatic animals. I've had a few plants in my tanks with the weights for 3 months with no ill effects.

[Perseusmom]

Yes Zergy that is the type, okay thanks that is great news !

[homegrown terror]

you can actually take a sheet of craft mesh (the same kind you use for DIY dividers) and lay it out on the bare floor of the tank, and then tie the roots to it using fishing line. after that, lay down your substrate and your plants won't move, and will actually grow tendril roots between the meshing and semi-permanently implant themselves to it.

[Perseusmom]

Great idea thanks !

[kfryman]

Seems like too much work lol. The weights are much easier to deal with as you can always remove them easily as well as the plant easily and fast.