dmatt56 October 12, 2009 Share October 12, 2009 Hello, Does anyone know if black Nylon Zip Ties are reef safe? Thanks, Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbartco October 12, 2009 Share October 12, 2009 they're GGGRRRREEEAAAATTT, say tony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountaineer October 12, 2009 Share October 12, 2009 The only thing I can think of that could pose a problem is puffer fish. They will chew on anything and the plastic can be dangerous for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coral Hind October 12, 2009 Share October 12, 2009 I have never had any issues using zip ties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmatt56 April 12, 2014 Author Share April 12, 2014 Interestingly, I'm reviving my thread from years past. I went to lowes tonight and noticed the clear Zip ties had a California warning about them containing materials known to cause cancer and birth defects. It said to wash hands after use. Anyone else notice this? Are some brands better than others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob A April 12, 2014 Share April 12, 2014 I was gonna say that everything that might possibly be sold in California comes with a warning, lol. The prop 65 warning requirement is pretty strict: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/othercarcinogens/athome/cancer-warning-labels-based-on-californias-proposition-65 At any rate, I did a search for "nylon tie msds" and a few actually came up. One is for black ties that have "carbon black" which is a petroleum product (I think all plastics have petroleum) and another for a cream colored tie that has a resin of some sort. I couldn't find any for Gardner bender which is a popular lowes brand. I can't imaging that a couple of ties would cause any issues. Apparently there are things that can leech out. Some have a UV protection chemical but I don't know if that leeches out or rubs off or what. I would hope that running carbon would eventually absorb any chemicals. Here are a couple of msds sheets http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?mwsId=SSSSSuUn_zu8l00xMY_ZPYtS5v70k17zHvu9lxtD7SSSSSS-- http://www.planetcableties.com/files/msds_cable_ties.pdf My answer probably just raises more questions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime April 12, 2014 Share April 12, 2014 Probably no more harmful then our artificial lighting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coral Hind April 12, 2014 Share April 12, 2014 I've been using them for over 20 years and I can't say there have been any issues with my tanks that I could blame on the ties. The amount of anything leached out of them would be quickly diluted in the tank water and then removed via skimming or water changes. CA and their warning labels are out of control. I read recently where according to CA toilet paper can also cause cancer since the paper contains dioxins left over from the bleaching of brown wood pulp to make the paper white. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmatt56 April 12, 2014 Author Share April 12, 2014 That's too funny. What brand ties do you typically use - the utilitech brand is what I saw at lowes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coral Hind April 12, 2014 Share April 12, 2014 I get the cheap ones from Harbor Freight. They are made in China, probably have lead in them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zygote2k April 13, 2014 Share April 13, 2014 just substitute lead plant anchors for zip ties and you'll be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr.x-ray April 14, 2014 Share April 14, 2014 Radioactive dyes in the zip ties. Helps keep your water clear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob A April 14, 2014 Share April 14, 2014 It occurred to me that whenever I'm using zip ties I tend to have one or two between my teeth and I'm doing alright, mostly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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