AquariumPros Forums

I have been researching this issue for sometime now. I have been told by people that it is not safe to use craft store silk plants because of dyes, glue, metal. I understand from my research that silk flowers are made using non toxic dyes and glue. Are their any experts that know the real answer to this issue and not just hearsay. I know the metal is dangerous. That makes sense. But what are the toxins that silk flowers have in them that are dangerous.
Just want an expert to answer.
Thank you.

When a manufacturer refers to something as "Non-Toxic" it is in reference to humans, not animals. But even the safest "non-toxic" item can become toxic given the right conditions. Considering that fish are much smaller than humans, and that what you are basically talking about is placing something that will continually be leaching several foreign substances into the water, you would effectively be forcing them to breathe a potential poison long term. At the least, if there is metal present, poisoning from heavy metals is a given. At best, any dyes used would likely end up being a carcinogen with long term exposure. My rule of thumb is that if I'm not willing to put it in my mouth, it doesn't go into my tanks.

__________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Diane

2.5 Gallon Betta
30 Gallon Angel Community
55 Gallon Community (Jack Dempsey)
60 Gallon Discus Community
75 Gallon Discus Community

Do the research first.......Questions? Read these for answers!
The Nitrogen Cycle
The CO2 / KH / pH Relationship
UGF Pros & Cons
Plant Health
Algae!
Algae in Planted Tanks
Understanding Ich
HLLE or Hole-in-the-Head Disease

Thank you for the info. I am ordering aquarium safe silk plants but curious about the other.

The only decorations which should ever be placed in an aquarium are decorations designed from the ground up to be "aquarium safe."

__________________
Dave Hauser, Webmaster
Aquariumpros.com, Inc.
Aquarium Professionals Group

Another thing to consider when putting "safe" products in your tank is that if anything leaches out , they will be more concentrated than in a human (unless the human eats them). The water will keep the toxins concentrated in the aquarium whereas they are not as likely to dissolve in air.

__________________
Any fish that will fit in another fishesmouth... will