Filter Floss- 100% Polyester, Flame Resistant. SAFE ?

[427HISS]

I have a bunch of this type floss from my wife's craft days and reads, 100% polyester and flame resistant.

(Sorry, in my thread information I typed it as resistant, but it's actually flame "retardant").

Is it safe to use or does it have embedded chemicals to be flame retardent,
and also, does it maybe have phosphate ?

 

[Mike J.]

This is the best answer I can come up with, So, I would presume that it would be safe to use. Polyester isn't treated with flame retardants, like bromines and phosphorus. Here's a quote:

However, "inherently" flame resistant polyester textiles are manufactured with built-in fire retardants. This is because the fire retardants can be chemically inserted into the polyester compound, becoming a part of its molecular composition. The enhanced polymers are quite stable, so polyester sleepwear is unlikely to pose a health risk to your child

 

[427HISS]

What concerns me in the quote,..... "flame resistant polyester textiles are manufactured with built-in fire retardants".

 

[Mike J.]

That quote is what leads me to believe it is safe; it is not coated or sewn in. It is molecularly bonded.

 

[427HISS]

Cool, maybe I'm ok.

 

[TJ's Reef]

Kevin, do not test it out on a tank full of Jason Fox Corals and a school of Candy Basslets first.

Cheers, Todd

 

[NanaReefer]

IMO never use flame resistant polyester floss in SW. Regardless of how its treated.

 

[Mike J.]

The key words here are non water soluble.

Some polyester fabrics are considered permanently flame retardant. This is because the fabrics are manufactured utilizing fibers for which the flame retardant properties are built directly into the molecular structure of the fibers. Fabrics manufactured utilizing Trevira™ and Avora™ polyester fibers are considered inherently or permanently fire retardant. Other synthetic fabrics may be considered durably fire retardant, fire retardant, or non-fire retardant. “Durably fire retardant” refers to a process in which polyesters are chemically treated during the manufacturing process with a non-water soluble chemical. In other cases, synthetic fabrics may be topically treated with chemicals after the manufacturing process (in the same manner as natural fibers such as cotton), or may be untreated (or untreatable) and therefore considered non-flame retardant.

 

[427HISS]

Todd, so you had issues with the floss ?

Mike, so what do you recommend, as is any paticlure company's floss ?

 

[427HISS]

There's this stuff in a bulk roll, but it's a little,... expensive.

Pinky Filters Sells | Saltwater Filters | Freshwater Filters | Universal Saltwater Filters | Universal Freshwater Filters

Polyester Floss Aquarium Filter Fiber Biological Media for Fish Tanks Ponds | eBay

 

[427HISS]

Big Al's Filter Floss - 20 sq ft


Update-


I called Big Als and both of us tested their floss and the off brand I have, and both melted and had a very small flame that went out quickly. So, does that mean that both products are flame retarded or not ?


They did not stay on fire or melt continuously.


He's going to call their manufacture and ask questions.

 

[NanaReefer]

Those would be flame retardant. Wal-Mart (what I use) sells bags that say: Caution, Highly Flammable & Non Hypoallergenic.

 

[427HISS]

Cool, to Walmart I go.
Thank you !