Tadpoles and plastics leaching

[Philsuma]

I occasionally see some people using those multi compartment plastic bins for raising tads in. These are commonly found in hardware aisles for holding nuts and bolts ect or possibly fishing lures and tackle, that sort of thing.

Does anyone have any reservations about chemicals leaching out from the plastics ? I use deli cups and other restaurant "food grade" plastics and often glass where - when I can.

Anyone have any thoughts on plastics and chemical leaching or other issues ?

[Cindy Dicken]

I would be concerned about using plastics particularly if it is not food grade OR if it was made in China!

I use plastic lab grade petri dishes until the tadpoles hatch, then they are transferred to glass jars

[Philsuma]

I keep hearing about people wanting to use those plastic tackle box units for tadpoles ect.....that 'made in China stuff scares the crap outa me. Definitely not food grade.

[EntoCraig]

You have an interesting point. Don't most people use 'made in china' non food grade plastic containers for their isos and springtails? I just buy plastic that doesn't have a strong smell to it.

[Venutus1]

I occasionally see some people using those multi compartment plastic bins for raising tads in. These are commonly found in hardware aisles for holding nuts and bolts ect or possibly fishing lures and tackle, that sort of thing.

Does anyone have any reservations about chemicals leaching out from the plastics ? I use deli cups and other restaurant "food grade" plastics and often glass where - when I can.

Anyone have any thoughts on plastics and chemical leaching or other issues ?

Oh yea...Plastic scares me.

I try and go with glass whenever possible.

The only plastic I am using around frogs right now is styrene plastic. And that even causes me concern.

However, they say styrene plastic (the clear plastic that makes up allot of what we would put frogs in) is supposedly safe. (unless heated*)
Styrene plastic is usually clear and brittle. Like the clear drawers in those sliding drawer nut and bolt organizers etc.
Or in the form of styro - foam. We all know what that is. *Don't heat up leftovers in it in the microwave... they say its bad then.

"According to the Styrene Information and Research Center (an organization representing nearly all of the "North American styrene industry"), polystyrene plastic neither contains, nor breaks down into bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in plastic compounds that leads to developmental and reproductive problems in both adults and children."

For more of the above, go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styrene

[boombotty]

The best tad containers I have ever used are the 4oz baby food containers. They are rectangular shaped and fit really nice in a large tupperware container. Being food based, there is no worry about chemical leaching. Plus, if you or someone you know have a baby, you can get countless containers for free.

[Frogman955]

I thought I`d add to this thread my own findings.
A while back I bought some of these multi compartment plastic boxes to try with my tads.
First thing I noticed was an oily feel to them so I filled them up with boiling water and gave them a good wash out.
The water frothed up like it had soap in it, which did not fill me with confidence.
But, once I was finished the oiliness had gone and they were squeaky clean when you ran a finger along them.
I have a habit of cleaning my tads out every day so they always have fresh water.
For reasons I now forget I missed a day or two and noticed an oily looking film on the waters surface.
So I`m thinking to my self "is this plastic leeching into the water?"
Anyway I carried on as per normal until all my tads had morphed out.
I didn`t lose any tads, but probably because I changed the water daily.
Now I use a Dutch Rana tad rearing system which is all glass and stainless steel mesh on the bottoms of each compartment.
The compartments are made out of some sort of plastic.
I am still getting this oily looking film on the water surface and have to clean it off regularly.
Prior to morphing out I put my tads into small plastic containers which are made from what looks like moulded Perspex and I`ve never seen any signs of leeching in the water.
The only conclusion I can come to is as has been said already, that plastics need to be used with caution.

Mike

[Philsuma]

Yeah...bottom line, and it's a easy one to remember. Do not use plastics. There are just so many glass options.

[Crystallized]

I've been using specimen (Urine) containers that come wrapped and sterile, seem to work fine for me. Not to big nor to small.

[Philsuma]

I've been using specimen (Urine) containers that come wrapped and sterile, seem to work fine for me. Not to big nor to small.

Still, nowhere near close to 'food grade' plastic and not designed for tiny living and growing organisms. I personally, would not use those.

[Crystallized]

I've been using specimen (Urine) containers that come wrapped and sterile, seem to work fine for me. Not to big nor to small.

Still, nowhere near close to 'food grade' plastic and not designed for tiny living and growing organisms. I personally, would not use those.

Last time i checked HDPE ( high density polyethylene) was used for your milk jugs, food containers, bottle caps, and water pipes.

[Philsuma]

Hey, they are your animals. As long as you are ok with it.

My recommendation is still glass and no plastic whenever possible.

[RichFrye]

Warnings against plastics usually contain a strong suggestion against heating the plastics or heating and cooling and heating and cooling. Plastics which are continually at ambient room temps tend to leach much, much less PBA and other chemicals.
I'm all for glass use, but after using about 5000 or so (maybe a few thousand more , or so) film cans over more than a decade, film cans which probably come stock with more chemicals in them than any Chinese plastics labeled for food stuffs...I'm fine with plastics.

[Philsuma]

Can't argue that ^^ . I'll come clean and even admit that I've used many a film can without even washing it out first, but I try never to have those 'admissions' come out in print. I would not want to do that for any of my frogs now, or future. I'm just overly worried that all the new people will see so many 'plastics are ok' posts and just go the easy route with anygiven bowl,cup or jar.

Film cans ? They probably deserve a 'pass' because there are so damn useful in both size and application. My personal nightmare is included in the post above, about the tackle box or nuts and bolts bin for multiple tads.

[ChrisK]

Condiment cups morph out healthy pumilio and histrionicus for me.

[Philsuma]

No 'tackle boxes' or Walmart plastic storage containers for me....nope. I'll never use them.

[dmartin72]

What about film canisters that everyone uses?

[Philsuma]

What about film canisters that everyone uses?

yeah, begrudgingly I admit to using them but only for pumilio, not Tinc type dart frogs.

I am pretty excited about those new artistic glass pods. I'd like to give them a try.

[Philsuma]

plastic tackle box compartments for tadpole raising? Nope, nope, nope