Any reason to not use these shims inside the tank?

[blaxsun]

It's the same tilt forwards design which works fine on larger tanks, but it doesn't work on my tank (fusion pro 2 20). The chambers are only 2.8" and the baskets do not have enough weight to overcome the flow.

So you're using the stock IM caddy or the InTank one?

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

So you're using the stock IM caddy or the InTank one?

There comes a point when you can no longer help people. Some reach it faster than others. In two threads he/she has been given multiple, realistic, reasonable, and cheap options versus Chinese composite shims maybe with maybe without poison and decomposition of organics.

I even volunteered to cad, print, and ship a safe and effective shims for the tanks needs. That offer is still on the table. But more advice isn't what OP needs at this point

 

[rennjidk]

I'm sure everyone has great ideas and opinions about their preferred brands. You can do whatever your heart desires in your own tank. I just wanted to know if a specific composite was reef safe.

 

[jimk60]

I'm sure everyone has great ideas and opinions about their preferred brands. You can do whatever your heart desires in your own tank. I just wanted to know if a specific composite was reef safe.

I think the answer to your question is no one really knows!

 

[rennjidk]

There comes a point when you can no longer help people. Some reach it faster than others. In two threads he/she has been given multiple, realistic, reasonable, and cheap options versus Chinese composite shims maybe with maybe without poison and decomposition of organics.

I even volunteered to cad, print, and ship a safe and effective shims for the tanks needs. That offer is still on the table. But more advice isn't what OP needs at this point

That's a very inappropriate response.

 

[rennjidk]

@Randy Holmes-Farley The shims seem to be pretty well encased in whatever polypropylene mixture they are injection molded with. There are several pin head sized spots of cellulose breaching the surface, maybe 15-20 per shim, but they are completely impregnated and sealed in the plastic. There's no discernable difference between picking at them and the rest of the plastic shim.

 

[Celestion]

Simmer'd in hot water 5 or 6 times should remove any fouling compounds

 

[Northern Flicker]

The InTank media basket solves this issue (at least it did on the previous generation of their Fusion tanks).

I think he’s trying to avoid paying for those. They are expensive (at least here in Canada).

OP, I wouldn’t use the shim, but instead I would use a foam block (maybe an Aquaclear one) cut to push the media caddy forward.

I have an IM AIO and I know the issue you are having. It’s too bad they didn’t just design them to be a few cm wider to fit snugly.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The plastic parts of those shims are fine. The plant fiber part would only be an issue if contaminated, as folks suggested it might be (I have no idea if that is likely or not).

In reality, the fiber parts will be almost entirely sealed in plastic, and I expect little could leach out, even if there is something on the wood.

 

[BZOFIQ]

There are several pin head sized spots of cellulose breaching the surface, maybe 15-20 per shim...

Why not just use a reef safe products that are completely inert in reef environment?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Why not just use a reef safe products that are completely inert in reef environment?

How do you identify those?

 

[BZOFIQ]

How do you identify those?

It's not about identifying, its things we've used for decades and are known to be safe around reef.

An acrylic, polycarbonate, polypropylene or PVC shim would be safe to use.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It's not about identifying, its things we've used for decades and are known to be safe around reef.

An acrylic, polycarbonate, polypropylene or PVC shim would be safe to use.

That's certainly a reasonable answer, but not foolproof. Folks cannot know, for example, what sorts of additives are in all plastics, even food grade or medical device grade plastics, which can, for example, include tin stabilizers.

 

[BZOFIQ]

That's certainly a reasonable answer, but not foolproof. Folks cannot know, for example, what sorts of additives are in all plastics, even food grade or medical device grade plastics, which can, for example, include tin stabilizers.

I understand your point, but...

for the sake of this thread materials I listed above are deemed far safer for reef then wood pulp/plant fibers of unknown origins.

 

[Northern Flicker]

That's certainly a reasonable answer, but not foolproof. Folks cannot know, for example, what sorts of additives are in all plastics, even food grade or medical device grade plastics, which can, for example, include tin stabilizers.

I would just use an aquaclear sponge. Been used for 40 years, never once tied to any kind of effects. The company is large enough to have to actually stand by the product, rather than a smaller business which may be temporary.