Where can you get plant weights?

[BaRanchik]

I'm looking for a replacement for lead plant weights. I'm afraid of the effects lead has on the water (and on my health in case I have an open wound on my hand while maintaining the tank), and my pH is slightly below 7 so it's worrying me even more.

I've been looking for the weights in the picture as a replacement. I use some of these which I got with some of the plants at the LFS, although not all the plants come with those, and they don't sell these separately. I've searched every place I know with international shipping, and couldn't find these.

 

[Guppysnail]

Amazon. I read somewhere lead plant weights are not actually made of lead. I worried at first too. Ive been using thus brand for 8 months ss i could not find the ones i used to use suction cups to the floor work to

[Guppysnail]

Amazon also has ceramic plant weights like you were looking at

[BaRanchik]

On 7/8/2021 at 6:02 PM, Guppysnail said:

Amazon also has ceramic plant weights like you were looking at

I have these, but they are really bulky compared to the ones I am talking about. From my experience with these, stems would always float if disturbed a little with these white ones.

[JettsPapa]

@Guppysnailis right.  They don't contain lead, so there are no potential health problems for you or the tank inhabitants.

[Odd Duck]

@BaRanchik I also worried about this when I took up the hobby again because “back in my day” when I first started fishkeeping, they *were* lead based.  They no longer are, so no worries about that any more.

I have also seen rocks with holes drilled in them.  I found a pic of lava rocks, but I have also seen some made with smooth, river rocks.  Maybe that would better suit your needs.

 

[Odd Duck]

Just found this, too.

[Odd Duck]

More!

[Odd Duck]

And last a google search found these.  Very small holes, but might be good for stem plants?

[Odd Duck]

One more with single holes.

[Odd Duck]

He has an Etsy shop, too.

[eatyourpeas]

Using hydroton or clay pebbles works well too.

[Isaac M]

All I could find was this uk based website, not sure about the shipping though. 

Edited July 8, 2021 by Isaac M
Added Photo

[Patrick_G]

I’m pretty certain the Aquarium Coop weights are lead. 

[CT_]

On 7/8/2021 at 9:02 AM, JettsPapa said:

@Guppysnailis right.  They don't contain lead, so there are no potential health problems for you or the tank inhabitants.

Really?  The ones I have from ACO look and feel like lead.  any idea what they're made from?  

 

EDIT: the ACO website says they're lead.  @JettsPapa@Guppysnail where do you get your lead free ones?

Edited July 8, 2021 by CT_

[Isaac M]

@CT_ they do contain lead, it is written in the last sentence of the product description. 

[Guppysnail]

On 7/8/2021 at 5:10 PM, CT_ said:

Really?  The ones I have from ACO look and feel like lead.  any idea what they're made from?  

 

EDIT: the ACO website says they're lead.  @JettsPapa@Guppysnail where do you get your lead free ones?

I dont mine say lead. I read somewhere though they are not actually real lead. 

[Guppysnail]

On 7/8/2021 at 5:10 PM, CT_ said:

Really?  The ones I have from ACO look and feel like lead.  any idea what they're made from?  

 

EDIT: the ACO website says they're lead.  @JettsPapa@Guppysnail where do you get your lead free ones?

Ok found the article 

[CT_]

On 7/8/2021 at 3:07 PM, Guppysnail said:

Ok found the article 

link/photo is broken on my end 😞

Edited July 8, 2021 by CT_
ok apparently i can see it in my reply though.

[Guppysnail]

On 7/8/2021 at 5:37 PM, Joe L. said:

 @Guppysnail I know this is a thread for plant weights, but I wanted to quickly jump in and ask how did you manage to cover your Fluval 07 canister filter intake? I have a Fluval 307, and I can’t manage to cover the intake with an ACO large intake sponge and have the suction cup hold the intake tube in place at the same time.

Mine is a 307 i use acoop medium intake and cut the interior the shape of the triangle intake because the large was like OMG nice centerpiece sponge ROFL

 

actually that one is 107 my other ine is 307 but i did the same thing to both

Edited July 8, 2021 by Guppysnail
Add

[PineSong]

I have seen some sellers on Etsy have actual stones with holes drilled in them for sale as plant weights. Have not tried them myself but was looking into it because I also don't like to use lead.

[Hobbit]

I use bulky glass beads as plant weights. I’m sure you can find some that will ship to you! Here’s the ones I ordered long ago:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L3Q2Q3K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just be careful and make sure they don’t come with powder on the inside. Some beads are powdered—I think it has something to do with the production process—and that powder is a PAIN to get out.

[BaRanchik]

On 7/9/2021 at 4:41 AM, Hobbit said:

I use bulky glass beads as plant weights. I’m sure you can find some that will ship to you! Here’s the ones I ordered long ago:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L3Q2Q3K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just be careful and make sure they don’t come with powder on the inside. Some beads are powdered—I think it has something to do with the production process—and that powder is a PAIN to get out.

Those look promising! Do you just order a bunch and use the clean ones?

[Ken]

I've only used plant weights a few times and have never bought such a thing... but here's what I did when I needed some.

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/tools/welding-and-soldering-tools/soldering-accessories/27159

There's a bunch on a roll and it bends easily. I'm sure whatever part of the world you're in has lead free solder. I used the kind with lead though, so far we all lived. Avoid rosin core.

 

 

[Hobbit]

On 7/9/2021 at 7:10 PM, BaRanchik said:

Do you just order a bunch and use the clean ones?

Those particular beads were all clean. 👍 I looked carefully at the product descriptions and the reviews to find ones without powder inside.