Zip ties in saltwater?

[Schwarzman85]

Does saltwater do any damage to zip ties? I'm looking to aquascape with PVC and would be using zip ties to hold them together. Any help is appreciated.

 

[keithrett]

I have had zip ties submerged in saltwater for a while now and they look the same as when I put them in there months ago

 

[Vang025]

I don't think plastic zip ties will get damage by saltwater. Maybe they will crack if they're constantly under heavy metal halides but they will last pretty long anyways.

 

[kcress]

Nope salt water does nothing to them. Metal Halides or sunlight will do nasty things to them unless you get the "outside" ones which are always black as they have UV protection. You can use the non-UV ones but you need to protect them. Keep them in the dark somehow.

 

[RicksReefs]

there are also two types of that little ratcheting closure thingy (the zip in zip ties), one is plastic and one is metal (most likely aluminum or tin).
obviously, stick with the plastic ones.

 

[dixiedog]

A lot of people use them, but not me.

Call me paranoid, but I find myself unable to trust zip ties on something as permanent and critical as rockwork, which is expected to last the lifetime of the tank. The results of failure can be utterly catastrophic, and I don't see a healthy risk/reward ratio.

I wouldn't bet my entire system (and the floor of my home!) on a .01 cent zip tie.

 

[nanojg]

I used zipties on my scaping

 

[Schwarzman85]

Ok cool I bought The clear ones but looks like I will be returning them and picking up the black ones.

Chris

 

[aleonn]

For 3 months, I used white zipties for aquascaping and holding stuff together below the water line without problems.

 

[Misled]

there are also two types of that little ratcheting closure thingy (the zip in zip ties), one is plastic and one is metal (most likely aluminum or tin).
obviously, stick with the plastic ones.

This^^^^^. Look into the part the pointy end goes into.

 

[90accord]

there are also two types of that little ratcheting closure thingy (the zip in zip ties), one is plastic and one is metal (most likely aluminum or tin).
obviously, stick with the plastic ones.

100% right!! It seams the more expensive stronger zips have the metal tab.