Fishing Line in Tank - For Decor?

[SuperProofer]

Hi All,

This might be a silly question, but I am toying around with new ways to decorate my upcoming tank. It's a little taller than it is wide, so I was looking at rigging up a way to hang some cross-cut shells from the lid in some way to make it look like they are floating in the water. I was thinking of using some clear fishing line to tie them up with.

Question is: any know if there is a possibility of the line deteriorating or leeching into the water somehow over time?

[dilandau]

so, I'm no "expert" but make sure its fishing line from a fishing store as i would advise against the clear thread sold in craft stores, that stuff for sure will leach something.
should really talk to an aquarium shop, one that deals with salt water critters and /or shrimps. i remember people talking about keeping floating moss balls down with fishing line tied to a rock so there should be more then a few uses for fishing line in tanks.

hope this helps.

[SuperProofer]

Good point about the moss balls. I think I read that somewhere too. Thanks!

[SuperProofer]

I also got confirmation from the vendor that the shells do have some sort of "coating" on them which gives them their shiny appearance. He doesn't know what it is though. Anyone have any knowledge on this and whether or not they'd be safe for an opae tank?

[SuperProofer]

Bumping for one last shot at someone having an answer before I buy the shells. Was hoping to get them before Christmas, but if this is a "when in doubt, leave it out" situation, I won't buy them at all. Thanks!

"I also got confirmation from the vendor that the shells do have some sort of "coating" on them which gives them their shiny appearance. He doesn't know what it is though. Anyone have any knowledge on this and whether or not they'd be safe for an opae tank?"

[Varanus]

If all even the vendor knows is that they've been coated with an unknown substance, I'd err on the side of caution. Beyond someone in the know being able to examine them I'm not sure what anyone could do or how they could tell you more. I mean personally I think if the shells are made to be put in aquariums then I doubt they're toxic, but I wouldn't take the chance.

[SuperProofer]

I don't know that they are exactly made to be in aquariums. They are just cross cut shells, presumably for decoration/crafting, but doesn't specifically say one way or the other.

So, like this:

[Mustafa]

What Varanus said. I hope you didn't risk it.

[SuperProofer]

Nope. I haven't started that tank yet, either... Need the construction to stop.

[dilandau]

if they don't know what it is, its because the original makers were poor and used clear nail polish or wood varnish.
literally anything they can get there hands on for cheap. you have to remember that these people are poor and are just trying to make a living, they comb the shore for small or broken shells then they cross cut them and coat them. when you buy from "vendors", they usually get them from these same poor people in bulk and might change hand a few times before you see them in your store, this and the fact that the makers will use whatever is readily available, makes it hard to back track what they use to coat the items to begin with. its not like they ever could consider that someone would want to put it in a tank.
its best to get your hands on natural shells uncut shells.