Are bamboo skewers safe to be in a aquarium at all time

[UkiahTheTurtle]

So I propped up some mangroves in my brackish tank with bamboo skewers does anyone see a problem with the skewers being in the tank long term?

 

[Jwink]

I haven't ever left them in long term but I would think the biggest issue would be with them wicking water up them and maybe causing extra evaporation or something along those lines. I wouldn't think they would leach anything into the water since they're supposed to be food grade (you did get food grade right?)

 

[UkiahTheTurtle]

I haven't ever left them in long term but I would think the biggest issue would be with them wicking water up them and maybe causing extra evaporation or something along those lines. I wouldn't think they would leach anything into the water since they're supposed to be food grade (you did get food grade right?)

Yeah I got food grade ones and they seem to have a weird slime on them after being in the tank overnight

 

[design.maddie]

That sounds like bacteria. Not sure if it is a bad thing though. I would leave them in a week just to see.

 

[Jwink]

I agree with @design.maddie, it's probably just bacteria, I get the same thing in my freshwater any time I add rock or wood to it. In those I just let my snails have at it.

 

[mdb_talon]

I use them frequently when fragging leathers and never really had an issue as far as i noticed

 

[Karen00]

I don't think they cause a problem if you got food grade but they eventually become mushy so you might have to replace them. I did this once (for another purpose) and they broke apart because they aren't meant to be in a constant state of saturation. If they do begin to break down you have to be concerned about the pieces possibly being ingested by inhabitants. Just keep an eye on them and change them if they start to get mushy.