Lead plant anchors

[meghan]

I bought live aquatic plants for my tank and wondered if the lead anchors are safe to have in the tank with fish and eventually salamanders. Don't want my critters to end up growing extra arms, eyes and other funky growths from lead.

 

[joeri]

Normally those anchors keep not only the plants roots together, but also a small spunge which contains fertelizer to keep the plants healthy in the shop.
I can't explain it properly in English but it comes down to this:
good stuff keeps the plants growing, but once ran out the good stuff turns into bad stuff (nitrite or nitrate, can't tell the difference)

I'd say remove it all. Don't know about the lead, but it doesn't sound healthy to me.

grtz
(hopefully someone literate will back me up )

 

[steve]

I get this from a web, it's for humans, but if newts are small, and breathe from the skin, they can be affected sooner and higher (I believe).

"Lead is a highly toxic metal, producing a range of adverse human health and environmental effects, particularly in children and fetuses. Lead has the ability to impede the development and function of every organ and system in the body. Once it enters the body, lead travels through the bloodstream. A small portion of the ingested lead remains in the bloodstream, while some is deposited and stored in the kidneys and brain. Most, however, is stored in the bones. This lead moves in and out of the bones as the body absorbs nutrients and grows. Lead stays in the body for a long time. Therefore, one can be lead poisoned through high exposure to lead during a short time period or through low exposure over a long period of time."

 

[steve]

When I say Newts I mean everything that is in the tank.
About a funky critter: Remember Godzilla

 

[jesper]

Hi,
We had a thread about this before, search and you shall find.

(Message edited by jesper on May 08, 2004)

 

[jesper]

http://www.caudata.org/forum/messages/7618/12141.html

 

[meghan]

I suppose it would've helped if I had looked in the right place the first time. I'd have found the answer myself!! Sorry about that!

Thanks for the info guys!!! I found that the anchors weren't helping anyways. I ended up using rubber bands and anchoring the plants in the gravel with straws like a T.