Are screws safe to use in aquarium?

[Barry Tetra]

Hello! I bought 4 pieces of woods and want to attach it all together.

And as the title says, I saw a lot of video on youtube where they attach driftwood with screws and wonder if they are fish safe or not, don’t they leech iron?

 

[itiwhetu]

Hello! I bought 4 pieces of woods and want to attach it all together.

View attachment 144653
And as the title says, I saw a lot of video on youtube where they attach driftwood with screws and wonder if they are fish safe or not, don’t they leech iron?

Use stainless steel screws, no problem

 

[DoubleDutch]

There will hardly leech iron into the tank cause the corrosionlayer prevents that.

In early days nails were put in to "fertilize" the tank with iron, but it wasn't a succes cause of the mentioned layer.

Same thing with lead btw

 

[xxBarneyxx]

An easier alternative is to use cotton wool and superglue (liquid, not gel). Put the cotton wool in between the parts you want to bond and soak it with the superglue. It sets pretty hard and is totally fish safe. Also no risk of accidentally splitting the wood with screws.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

...Or even silicone sealant.

 

[Obsessed with fish]

Just one thing no one has pointed out...Make sure there non rust!

 

[Barry Tetra]

In early days nails were put in to "fertilize" the tank with iron, but it wasn't a succes cause of the mentioned layer.

New knowledge!

An easier alternative is to use cotton wool and superglue

I have tried that with stones, there’s always a portion of cotton left after glue dried out.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Just one thing no one has pointed out...Make sure there non rust!

Apart from posts 1-3.

 

[Obsessed with fish]

Apart from posts 1-3.

they never said no rust...Ok your right stainless steel is the same but im just telling him that if he does use a different metal they should be non rust.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

they never said no rust...Ok your right stainless steel is the same but im just telling him that if he does use a different metal they should be non rust.

 

[Obsessed with fish]

View attachment 144667

lol

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Looking again at that wood, I still think aquarium silicone 'glue' would be the best option.
Once you've have some of this wonderful substance, it comes in handy for attaching plants to wood and, of course, any later tank repairs.

 

[Obsessed with fish]

Looking again at that wood, I still think aquarium silicone 'glue' would be the best option.
Once you've have some of this wonderful substance, it comes in handy for attaching plants to wood and, of course, any later tank repairs.

thats tru, the screws may ruin the look of the driftwood to.

 

[Deleted member 149562]

I use Cyanoacrylate gel based glue works better than the liquid version.....the gel does not try to escape everywhere that you do not want it or leave that unsightly whitish blob of excess glue where you cannot fail to see it.

I do have some Mopani with a plant growing from it (yes, a real plant, unusually for me since I have no green thumbs) and that has a suction cup attached with a stainless steel screw in one of my aquariums and have no issues at all.

But given the choice of adhesive method, I prefer the Cyanoacrylate gel...quicker and less mess.

 

[Obsessed with fish]

I use Cyanoacrylate gel based glue works better than the liquid version.....the gel does not try to escape everywhere that you do not want it or leave that unsightly whitish blob of excess glue where you cannot fail to see it.

I do have some Mopani with a plant growing from it (yes, a real plant, unusually for me since I have no green thumbs) and that has a suction cup attached with a stainless steel screw in one of my aquariums and have no issues at all.

But given the choice of adhesive method, I prefer the Cyanoacrylate gel...quicker and less mess.

U give GREAT advice