can i use fishing weights to hold down plants?

zachjohnson65

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Mar 31, 2007
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Staunton, VA
I have floating bulb plant that refuses to stay put. I can not find any flexible plant weights but i have a tackle box with lead weights can i use those safely?
 
I wouldn't know about that... They're made out of lead, and I'm almost certain an over-dose on lead isn't going to be too beneficial to your tank.
 
Plant weights are thin strips of lead so I see no harm. Most of today's fishing weights are now made of nickel, steel and other metals other than lead.

You can also use non-leaded solder (solid core) to wrap around stems.
 
Plant weights are thin strips of lead so I see no harm. Most of today's fishing weights are now made of nickel, steel and other metals other than lead.

You can also use non-leaded solder (solid core) to wrap around stems.

Actually those plant weights are made of misc. metals too, if they were still lead, they would have warnings all over them, especially if they are for sale in California.
 
I use elastic bands, gravel, and smallish space to lightly wedge a plant in. You could try using a pot if you can hide it. It's much easier to move around that way, you just have to watch it to make sure it doesn't become root bound.

Lead doesn't really sound like a good idea.
 
if your fishing weights are older than they are pure lead which is not good for fish, that is part of the reason why many states have banned them. if they are newer than they are a much safer mix of metals but some may still have a little bit of lead in them.
 
Actually those plant weights are made of misc. metals too, if they were still lead, they would have warnings all over them, especially if they are for sale in California.

They are made of sheet lead.Whether or not there are other metals in them,I am not sure.But it is not like there are going to dissolve in the water.Same goes for the fish weights.I say go for it.
Lead fishing weights have been banned because water fowl will eat them.It has nothing to do with the fish.
 
A friend of mine used to use some of the older weights and he used some parafin wax that he had in the cabinets to seal them before using.
 
Cover the weight with a good coat of "Clear Finger nail polish" All will be fine.
 
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