Thread in a tank(s)

[wuvmybetta]

I've been making these baby cribs (of a sort) for my betta fry. I'm using craft canvas cut into sections and sewing them together to make a rectangle enclosure. Then I add floaters so the fry are free to cruise the tank, yet remain contained. I've been using fishing line and it is a pain in the you know what to tie off at the ends.
I'm considering switching to plain old heavy duty thread, it will be much faster and easier that way. I can't think of any drawbacks of using thread in a tank so I thought I'd pick everybodies brains ( ) and see if you guys can come up with a legitimate excuse not to use it, anybody?

 

[luxum]

Stay away from colored thread since you don't know what the dyes are made of, and you may want to stick with natural cotton thread and avoid synthetics just in case they might leach something, although i find that unlikely.

Try to find the waxed thread called "quilting thread", it is as strong as fishing line and very easy to work with.

 

[wuvmybetta]

ahhhh, quilting thread!!! Good thinking! Thanks!

My biggest concern with cotton thread (besides leaching,which, as you said, is unlikely) is the concern that it would unravel or rot (if that's possible )

 

[luxum]

Yeh it would rot/unravel if it wasn't strong. The wax on the quilting thread should last a decent time but eventually you'll have to replace it.

 

[jams.alaskan]

The quilting thread should last till their old enough to release. Clever thought, that floating, glass bottomed boat - they will no the tank loads before they ever get to check it out in person.

ALASKA

 

[fishdudein]

Yes, the cotton threads will definitely rot and/or unravel. I used cheesecloth one time to make a small pouch to hold peat. Worked fine for a while, then everything disintegrated...what a mess!
Probably on the right track with the quilting thread...don't know what strength fishing line you were using, but it could be that a thinner line (maybe a 4 lb. test line) would be easier for you to use, smaller the lb. test the thinner the line, gets to be more like thread

 

[Inchworm]

Hi wuv

When you're using the fishing line, instead of just knotting it, try making knots and then melting it. You should end up with a little blob of plastic instead of pokey ends.

 

[freshmike]

Um. That sounds very interesting...sorry, I don't have any thread advice, but is it possible to see a picture of just what you are making?

 

[wuvmybetta]

fishdude~ I'm using the cheapest fishing line ) It seems to be working, it's just tying (tieing?) it *fist shaking smilie* drives me crazy.

Inchy~ I've tried the melting trick, it works a lot of the time, sometimes I end up melting it in two tho *shaking fist again* ( )

freshmike~ I'll post pics soon, right now they're stuck to the wall with suction cups until I get more floaters, it's not fair for one to float and the other to be stuck in the corner. To best describe them, they're like baby walkers for bad bettas, gotta keep em out of trouble and I'm seeing how far I can go to avoid jars.

LOL Alaska

I'm off to get quilting thread tomorrow, since they won't be permanent fixtures in the tank I should be ok

 

[freshmike]

That is SUCH A GOOD IDEA!!! You really ARE a betta genius ....Julie is going to freak out...