Zip ties and safety in a reef.

[MinnieMouse2]

Today a family member brought home some nylon zip ties in fluorescent colors. Worried about all the colors and then I read on the package nylon flame retardant. Upon looking up what they use to make this so, I find this. Nylon plastics may be rendered flame retardant by the addition of poly(pentabromo benzyl acrylate), antimony oxide, small amounts of calcium and potassium halides, and zinc stearate in the polymer mixture before extrusion. Addition of aluminum trihydrate and DBDPO was also effective for the purpose. I think I might think twice before using zip ties in a reef tank. You never know what is entering the water.

 

[Arego]

I can't think of a reason I would have one underwater, not one that I would need anyway like frag racks. Plastic is pretty hard to break down to it's elements so I wouldn't worry too much about it leaching.

That said i look at it like if it isn't vital to my tanks health and doesn't absolutely have to be in my water, it won't be.