lead toxic to anything?

To answer your question, yes, lead is highly toxic to all life forms (fish, bacteria, plants, invertebrates). It is one of the heavy metals.

One plant bind (which is lead, you are correct) may not kill anything, but since it will enter the water and since it is not needed, I always remove them before planting.

Byron.

FishFanMan said:

Thanks! I know it's bad for us but wasn't sure about fish/inverts. I wonder why they use these strips then. I'll use fishing line next time I do a wc.

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Probably inexpensive for nurseries. There may be no danger; after all, I grew up in a time when lead water pipes were normal, until they found out about lead poisoning. But I don't like toxic substances in an enclosed aquarium no matter what they are.

If these are stem plants, just bury a couple inches in the substrate and they should hold. And you can add a small rounded stone if that is part of the aquascape. Once rooted, the plants tend to stay put.

Byron.

Any aquarium weights used these days in the US are a zinc alloy, no lead. But that isn't to say that some of lead couldn't sneak in from another country.

Most likely it's zinc alloy, not lead, unless it's pretty old.

Any aquarium weights used these days in the US are a zinc alloy, no lead. But that isn't to say that some of lead couldn't sneak in from another country.

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atreis said:

Most likely it's zinc alloy, not lead, unless it's pretty old.

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I don't know where this zinc myth came from. Zinc is about half the weight of lead, wouldn't work very well, much less pliable also.
It can be alloyed with lead, but zinc oxide will leach into the water also.




These score pretty easily with a razor, zinc won't.
I'm not too concerned about it. I use them occasionally.

FYI, there are lead free weights on the market.

I use them for fishing.. they are made from alloys I use the wire alloy that are pliable but not as heavy as lead.

I believe the EPA has pressed for these alternatives .. I have seen them on some plants.

Here is an alternative.... http://www.aquariumplants.com/Professional_Plant_Anchors_p/pr1325.htm. Kind of pricey.

I have made my own like this, from plastic drinking water bottles. They work OK.