Mythbusting – Toxic Fire Retardants

[gomezladdams]

Nice work!Thank you.The change in the nature of the bubbling is troubling but as you said the applesnail would show distress long before a fish would.

 

[CHOMPERS]

Is that algae I see in both tanks?

You know it

If you want to continue the experiment, take a large amount of fresh flame retardant coated poly-fil (like you soaked in the water), place it in a tank like you started with (dechlor'd water), & aerate. After a week add several gallons of used tank water, then leave it alone for several months. If algae starts to flourish (especially on the material) you have a winner.

I have another ten gallons-ish of poly-fill and plenty of time on my hands

Shame you didn't have any tadpoles, their great for this sort of thing).

Well kind of... We still haven't proved it won't cause birth defects or long term illness', just that in short term, some life forms can tolerate it.

Just so happens with all this monsoon weather, the frogs have been having frog sex in every water filled container in the back yard. In the past, I have seen some pretty weird mutations and "birth defects".

 

[chesterthehero]

this is great and all....

but are the test fish and snail more fire retardent??!?!?!?!?!?!?

 

[Nic]

well this is really good to know...Thanks Chompers.....

 

[CHOMPERS]

this is great and all....

but are the test fish and snail more fire retardent??!?!?!?!?!?!?

Yes, they are now. I just tried to light the tank on fire and nothing happened.

 

[dogofwar]

Thanks for doing this experiment!

I've used the bags of polyfill fluff (pillow batting) in filters for years...and never had issues...but never done an experiment of this sort.

Can I recommend two more:

1) Black or gray PVC pipe (vs. white) in the tank
2) Using a garden hose for water changes

I've done both for years (without issue), but it would - I hope - put an end to the numerous opinion-filled threads on these topics.

 

[CHOMPERS]

If you want to continue the experiment, take a large amount of fresh flame retardant coated poly-fil (like you soaked in the water), place it in a tank like you started with (dechlor'd water), & aerate. After a week add several gallons of used tank water, then leave it alone for several months. If algae starts to flourish (especially on the material) you have a winner. Shame you didn't have any tadpoles, their great for this sort of thing).

How's this:

 

[deeda]

Nice tadpoles but did the poly-fil grow algae on it or did the tadpoles eat all of it?

 

[barbarossa4122]

Glad I found this because I have a bag of fire retardant snow blanket(10' by 15") and I was afraid to use it. Thanks for the test and info.

 

[bob965]

I don't think soaking the batting for three days and removing it is an effective simulation of long-term use in an established filter.

Also, the sample size is too small to draw a valid conclusion.