rubber bands aquarium safe?

[delta5]

I have the sheets of filter floss and I want to wrap my intakes in it, but can I use a rubber band to hold them in place?

[Phillydubs]

I wouldn't... I have no experience here to speak of but just doesn't seem like a good idea... Ever see what a dried up rubber band looks like? Gross... I wouldn't do that at all, find something more suitable that will not contaminate the water...

[Kyla]

i use fishing line to tie things in my tank. u could pick up a sponge and cut a hole in the centre of it and slide that over ur intake tubes. soonges work well and are easy to take of and off

[HappyFace]

You could get food/medical grade rubberbands: http://www.kitchencouture.com/product.asp?itemid=2903&gclid=Cj0KEQiAz5y1BRDZ4Z_K_eGa84cBEiQAtQkeaMI9awiq OjuzMCLO_52YeKHDk1bjxJX2n1UGcrCP_soaAuUx8P8HAQ

[Wes]

i use fishing line to tie things in my tank. u could pick up a sponge and cut a hole in the centre of it and slide that over ur intake tubes. soonges work well and are easy to take of and off

+1.
I use aqua clear 70 sponges on all my intakes as prefilters.

[delta5]

+1.
I use aqua clear 70 sponges on all my intakes as prefilters.

I like this idea! Thank you.

[discuspaul]

PetSmart stores usually carry fine mesh Fluval Edge pre-filters for less than $2.
They fit all AquaClear filter intake tubes quite well, except possibly the AC 20 which is rather small.

And they also fit many canister intakes and other HOB filter tubes.
They do an excellent job when rinsed frequently (takes but a minute) - I've used them for years in my discus tanks.

[Fishquake]

Who knew there was such a thing as food grade rubber band?

[delta5]

Who knew there was such a thing as food grade rubber band?

I never knew Rubbermaid made a trashcan that is FDA approved or whatever its called.

[CrazyAngels]

you can also use a zip-tie or ty-wrap, whatever you want to call them. They work great to tie anubias or ferns onto DW and foam pre-filters to smaller tubes. What I like about them is you can get them in different colors to suit your needs..

[SlimmSnake]

I've used rubber bands in the tank for short-term things (say less than a week) without any problems. For long-term things, plastic zip-ties work great.

[Mustanggtandgsxr]

+1.
I use aqua clear 70 sponges on all my intakes as prefilters.

Do you have a pic of this? Trying to get an idea of how its done. Thanks

[SNap0283]

Years ago I worked at a LFS and when plant shipments came in they were always wrapped with rubber bands and we would keep them on in the tanks sometimes for months before they would sell. Not sure if it was a good idea or not?

[rickztahone]

This is all you need really:
http://www.amazon.com/Fluval-A1387-EDGE-Pre-Filter-Sponge/dp/B002LL32RY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453840322&sr=8-1&keywords=fluval+prefilter

[zimmjeff]

I,ve used them to hold cucumbers in place with no problems. Jeff

[delta5]

This is all you need really:
http://www.amazon.com/Fluval-A1387-EDGE-Pre-Filter-Sponge/dp/B002LL32RY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453840322&sr=8-1&keywords=fluval+prefilter

That will fit a c-360's intake?

[Altum Nut]

This is all you need really:
http://www.amazon.com/Fluval-A1387-EDGE-Pre-Filter-Sponge/dp/B002LL32RY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453840322&sr=8-1&keywords=fluval+prefilter

+1 or any filter insert sponge where you just bore a hole to fit your intake tube.
I personally use Poret Foam cut to size.


That will fit a c-360's intake?

If I'm correct AC filters only come in sizes 20, 30, 50, 70, 110
Never heard of an AC 360

...Ralph

[delta5]

+1 or any filter insert sponge where you just bore a hole to fit your intake tube.
I personally use Poret Foam cut to size.



If I'm correct AC filters only come in sizes 20, 30, 50, 70, 110
Never heard of an AC 360

...Ralph

C-360 is a marineland can filter.

[discuspaul]

Even if that intake is slightly larger than the AC 110, it will definitely fit, even if the round opening in the pre-filter needs a bit of stretching.

[pitdogg2]

I use these no zip tie or rubber band needed in most cases it will slip over tight and never slide off.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0002565HU/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

[pitdogg2]

That will fit a c-360's intake?


this is a bad link it takes you to skin care for woman.....SPAM?

there is also a link to Ford items in post 18 "intake tube" these links say added by "skim words" is this common here or is there some sort of virus among us?

[donnacona]

go to amazon to get prefilters cheap.

[MKD]

If you have to, you can use fishing line or sewing thread to be safe and inexpensive. If you don't have to, go to KensFish and look at this
http://www.kensfish.com/cgi-kensfish/sb/ss_mb.cgi?storeid=*14884f2aaab140560cc4d786&ss_parm=A94c0dc69839a7dd23ec90aa4627bb483

[MD.David]

To actually answer your question.
I have a formal education in casting resins and thermosetmonomers.
I can say with reasonable confidence what the material that makes up "elastic-bands" would be pretty close to 100% aquarium safe.

I have the sheets of filter floss and I want to wrap my intakes in it, but can I use a rubber band to hold them in place?

[DJW]

Aren't they made of latex?

I have always used an occasional rubber band in fish tanks.

[Sergey]

I've used rubber bands they use at supermarkets to bind small containers, for 10+ years in fish tanks, no problem. They eventually fall apart, I just get a new one from the pile.

Sergey.

[rickztahone]

I've used rubber bands they use at supermarkets to bind small containers, for 10+ years in fish tanks, no problem. They eventually fall apart, I just get a new one from the pile.

Sergey.

I've used very small thin black ones on my tanks as well. They do break down but I would switch them out every week or so once I saw them breaking down.

[brewmaster15]

I used them for years to fix cracked hydrosponge filter cages...they break down after a few months.. I have a couple on my filter intakes right now as well. Its probably okay given the ratio of water volume to elastic bands ...but if youve any doubts best not use them .
As a side note I switched to zip ties as they dont break down for a very very long time!
Al

[Filip]

I have the sheets of filter floss and I want to wrap my intakes in it, but can I use a rubber band to hold them in place?

I use regular kitchen rubber bands for my intakes .I use them to wrap around multi layer filter floss.
Never experienced any problems so far.
They become rigid and break after a month or so ,and than I just change it with a new one.

[DISCUS STU]

+1.
I use aqua clear 70 sponges on all my intakes as prefilters.

Same here. Cut to desired size and occasionally clean by running under the tap. They get clogged and impede filter flow.

[SlimmSnake]

To actually answer your question.
I have a formal education in casting resins and thermosetmonomers.
I can say with reasonable confidence what the material that makes up "elastic-bands" would be pretty close to 100% aquarium safe.

This answer is awesome.