Any problem with rubber bands being used in tanks

[SweetCorraline]

will there be any problems if i use rubber bands to hold down certain corals in my tank. will they leach anything? will the dissolve?

 

thanks

[Weetabix7]

I don't think it causes any problems.

 

You could also try fishing line, which I've used before.

[colinadam]

Short term - No. It's popular to attatch softies using rubber bands.

 

Long term I would think they break down or maybe a rough crab snaps it. A fish might try to eat a piece if it's floating around or it may get tangled in a powerhead.....

[SPS20]

Rubber and latex (99% of rubber bands are made out of one or the other) are safe for reef tanks. Both materials could be (for our purposes) considered essentially biologically inert. However, they may break down over time due to UV exposure, oxidation, decomposition, etc. As anybody who has kept reef tanks for awhile will attest, seawater is nasty stuff, and alot more corrosive than most people realize.

 

So basically don't use them for structural purposes, but to attach a cutting, its good enough.

 

-Josh

[Pacifique]

I would agree with Josh. If you're using it to place a piece of coral, overtime that coral will attach itself to wherever it is being placed, at which point the rubber band can be removed.

 

It is definitely not a good idea for long term use.

[scarfish]

not too tight