Are fishing weights reef safe?

[pbjelly]

I've got some things that need to be weighted down that I don't want to tie or glue to rocks. Are any of the pre-formed weights considered reef safe?
I'm looking specifically at drop sinkers or aquarium plant weights.

 

[jackson6745]

I don't believe lead will leech, but it does rust. Probably not a good idea to use it but I'm not sure

 

[samksy]

they have the eco friendly one that is rubberized I think, that probably is more safer if you really have to use it.

 

[edd]

their trying to out law lead fishing sinkers and lead shot gun bird shot for duck hunting, so their must be an environmental reason for not using it.

 

[jackson6745]

their trying to out law lead fishing sinkers and lead shot gun bird shot for duck hunting, so their must be an environmental reason for not using it.

Yea, they hate fisherman .. Seriously

 

[mrdobie]

coat it in fish safe epoxy if you have it. or just use a piece of small rock.

 

[homegrowncichlid]

lead rusts? I didn't know lead can oxidize in any significant manner.

 

[jackson6745]

lead rusts? I didn't know lead can oxidize in any significant manner.

I had buckets full of rusty lead sinkers in storage.

 

[homegrowncichlid]

reddish color weights? would mean iron, greenish copper and lead darkens to grey. Ah, the swivels are steel.

 

[jackson6745]

reddish color weights? would mean iron, greenish copper and lead darkens to grey. Ah, the swivels are steel.

No swivels. Grey Lead 'bank' sinkers covered in rust. Perhaps there's a metal blend? I'm not sure, but I buy hundreds of pounds of sinkers each season, and yes 100% they rust. Come on my boat if you want to see proof

 

[Cave Dweller]

To the best of my knowledge, "rust" only really applies to iron based items. Lead will turn gray when it oxidizes/corrodes, but as mentioned previously it's been under study for ill effects on nature etc.

I have seen some of the newer "eco-friendly" ones and those do appear to have a brown color to them after very little exposure to saltwater use.

Personally I have sinkers in my garage that belonged to my grandfather and have never seen any with actual rust on them, but if forced I will just have to go fishing with Jackson to confirm the rusty lead.

Side note - Jackson if you buy them in bulk do you have a charter boat or something?

 

[edd]

^+1 im sure fishing sinkers are made from poor quality or recycled lead that contains iron or other metals, that will cause rust. i have had some sinkers rust but not all.
i would think those lead wraps that are made for aquariums is a better quality lead but i would use rock rubble.
Rich has a charter boat in sheepshead bay. never fished with him, but would like to.

 

[jackson6745]

Cave Dweller, yes I have a charter boat in Brooklyn "ROCKFISH CHARTERS". These sinkers don't rust out solid like regular metal does, it just gets a light rust coating. Not a big deal, but i wouldn't want these particular sinkers in my tank.

Edd, on Dec 15th I move the boat to the Atlantic Highlands. If you're into black fishing that's the best time! Give me a call if you want to come.

 

[Cave Dweller]

Do MR discounts apply?!? LOL will def check it out as I've been looking for a blackfish trip to end the year. Sadly haven't gotten to go fishing as much as I would like to these last few yrs.