Elastics/rubber bands safe?

[hamburgler]

Quick question...couldnt find anything after searching.

I was wondering if rubber bands are aquarium safe? I was going to use one to wrap some filter floss around my filter intake tube to avoid sand getting sucked up.

thanks!

[tropicalfish]

I suppose it depends on the rubber-band being used.

[Mosaic]

I use it to hold my java fern or anubias down until it roots. I have not have a problem with it, though I don't know for certain it's 100% safe. The big problem in your situation would be that rubber bands do get brittle under water after a while and will break. A better solution would be to use fishing line, get a prefilter for your intake, or you can tie a section of new, unwashed pantyhose over it.

[rich311k]

The rubber bands wont hurt anything. A sponge over the end of your intake would probably work better than the floss.

[tropicfishman]

yet another tricked I have learned from youguys...pantyhose as a filter sock, and to think I spent so much money on those mesh ones grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[hamburgler]

And to think i have some substrate in pantyhose (in the tank) right now waiting to into a new tank to start the cycle. Well...next time i do maintenance on it i will switch.

[plecoperson]

I was worried about the rubber bands too-I got some silicone bands from the "hair accessories" section of the drugstore. They come in clear and black, too-much less obtrusive.