Magic eraser is bad mmmmkay

[kungpaoshizi]

Check out the newest advanced aquarist article titled 'study finds corals eat plastic'
Though pumps etc might be bad enough, we shouldn't add to that by something that falls apart with use... :|

[MizTanks]

Well you could of supplied a link. Now i gotta look for myself-lol.

[rfgonzo]

I'll still continue to use Magic eraser since it cleans 10 times better than anything else I've ever used.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I am totally ignorant on this topic. What do you use a Magic Eraser for in your reef tank?
@MizTanks here's the link: Study finds stony corals eat plastic! — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

Tom

[rfgonzo]

To clean your inside glass or acrylic, but your need to use the Original Magic Eraser ( no chemicals in it ) It works great on some type of a mag float. M,E, will not scratch acrylic.

[MizTanks]

What's the Magic Eraser have to do with this article? It's made from Melamine Foam.

[rfgonzo]

It's an inert plastic, and some people feel it is dangerous to the animals in our aquarium because they say it breaks up easy and in small pieces. I for one have been using it for probably 10 or so years never had any issues and it cleans fantastic.

[dputt88]

the author is mistaken. the research is referring to microplastic such as the exfoliating microbeads found in soaps and body washes. similar research on the food web and the effects of microplastics on the fisheries within the great lakes has been going on for years. our pumps and powerheads would not fall into this and would not effect our coral. you would not believe the amount of these micro plastics that are in our lakes.

[jimsflies]

I think @dputt88 is spot on. The microplastics are found in toothpastes and makeup products...ones that have the little pieces of glitter in them. So unless you brush your teeth in your reef or wash your face at the end of a nite out on the town in your tank, I don't think this is a danger to our captive reef animals. Microplastics have been shown to pass through wastewater treatment plants since they weren't designed to effectively remove those relatively new materials. Thus, this issue is more of an environmental issue and would be yet another threat to wild reefs.

Here's the wiki article for more info:
Microplastics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Some states have enacted regulations to ban cosmetic products with microplastics.

I'd like to thank the @kungpaoshizi for posting this topic. This is exactly the type of topic that as responsible reefkeepers (and citizens of earth) should be familiar with since our choices as consumers ultimately impact our environment.

[MizTanks]

I can't get the darn things to hold between my Float Mag