Plastic Smell

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CrabbyLover77
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Plastic Smell

Post by CrabbyLover77 » Sat Mar 28, 2020 5:26 pm

I recently ordered some plastic aquarium plants from Amazon to decorate my crabitat with. I've had them in there for a few days now. Before I put them in, I soaked them in a vinegar/water mix (well water treated with prime) for about 30 mins. I dried them off well after. When I opened the lid to change out their food today, I noticed a slight plastic smell coming from the plants. Should I take them out? I already have them zip tied to the egg crate on the back of the tank. Thanks!!!

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JoeHermits
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Re: Plastic Smell

Post by JoeHermits » Tue Mar 31, 2020 2:38 pm

Yeah, you may want to remove those and let them air out. I wouldn't put them back in until they stop giving off fumes.

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Re: Plastic Smell

Post by CrabbyLover77 » Tue Mar 31, 2020 2:40 pm


JoeHermits wrote:Yeah, you may want to remove those and let them air out. I wouldn't put them back in until they stop giving off fumes.
Thanks! I did a check last night and didn't really smell anything anymore. I'm going to do another check today when I change their food. Image

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My Pets: 2 Pomeranians, 1 Russian tortoise, fishes/snails(40 gal freshwater aquarium), and 13 hermit crabs.
"Hunting is not a sport. In a sport, both sides should know they're in the game." -Paul Rodriguez-
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Re: Plastic Smell

Post by CrabbyLover77 » Tue Mar 31, 2020 10:49 pm

I smelled the plants again today, darn. So I took them all out. Maybe I'll let them air out and use them for my aquarium instead. I definitely don't feel like trying to reattach them to the egg crate now that it's in the tank.

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My Pets: 2 Pomeranians, 1 Russian tortoise, fishes/snails(40 gal freshwater aquarium), and 13 hermit crabs.
"Hunting is not a sport. In a sport, both sides should know they're in the game." -Paul Rodriguez-
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BigBeausBouti ... form-mcnav

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Re: Plastic Smell

Post by JoeHermits » Wed Apr 01, 2020 12:39 am

Oh, that’s a bummer! Sorry to hear that.


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Re: Plastic Smell

Post by CrabbyLover77 » Wed Apr 01, 2020 1:03 am

JoeHermits wrote:Oh, that’s a bummer! Sorry to hear that.


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Definitely. Image Hopefully the crabs won't mind the lack of multicolor plants in the background lol. Image
Thanks again for replying! Image

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My Pets: 2 Pomeranians, 1 Russian tortoise, fishes/snails(40 gal freshwater aquarium), and 13 hermit crabs.
"Hunting is not a sport. In a sport, both sides should know they're in the game." -Paul Rodriguez-
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BigBeausBouti ... form-mcnav

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Re: Plastic Smell

Post by DragonsFly » Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:47 am

Better safe than sorry; some plastics really do give off toxic fumes, and that can definitely build up in a closed environment like a crabitat. The crabs definitely won't care, if they were just background. Crabs do like having stuff in the tank to feel more concealed, but you can do that with other things than plastic plants. Sticks from your yard (if no pesticides sprayed) can provide both climbing opportunities and help them feel more hidden. You can bake them in the oven for a while if you are concerned about importing bugs.
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Re: Plastic Smell

Post by CrabbyLover77 » Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:57 pm

DragonsFly wrote:Better safe than sorry; some plastics really do give off toxic fumes, and that can definitely build up in a closed environment like a crabitat. The crabs definitely won't care, if they were just background. Crabs do like having stuff in the tank to feel more concealed, but you can do that with other things than plastic plants. Sticks from your yard (if no pesticides sprayed) can provide both climbing opportunities and help them feel more hidden. You can bake them in the oven for a while if you are concerned about importing bugs.
I definitely agree. It was just background stuff anyway. Sticks are a good idea. I don't use any chemicals in the yard at all. I have so many sticks in my yard I'd be rich if I could sell them lol. Just no pine tree sticks right? Because of the smell they give off? Thanks!!

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My Pets: 2 Pomeranians, 1 Russian tortoise, fishes/snails(40 gal freshwater aquarium), and 13 hermit crabs.
"Hunting is not a sport. In a sport, both sides should know they're in the game." -Paul Rodriguez-
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Re: Plastic Smell

Post by DragonsFly » Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:08 pm

I would stick with hardwood-type tree sticks/branches. Oak, maple, etc.
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“An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.”
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Re: Plastic Smell

Post by CrabbyLover77 » Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:35 pm

DragonsFly wrote:I would stick with hardwood-type tree sticks/branches. Oak, maple, etc.
Sounds good, thanks!

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My Pets: 2 Pomeranians, 1 Russian tortoise, fishes/snails(40 gal freshwater aquarium), and 13 hermit crabs.
"Hunting is not a sport. In a sport, both sides should know they're in the game." -Paul Rodriguez-
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BigBeausBouti ... form-mcnav

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Raegyn_Kk
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Re: Plastic Smell

Post by Raegyn_Kk » Fri Jan 12, 2024 11:22 pm

Hey! I’m having the same problem, I tried what you did too but it’s not working I don’t know what to do because I don’t really have another purpose for the plants, is the smell bad for them??
— Raegyn Kk ;)

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