Antimicrobial cutting board

[Viv]

Ugh, every time I get started life has to interfere with tank stuff! This past week Jury Duty and work. Doesn't the world know my tank duties are calling!!
Anyways, I read some mail and got some replys that the antimicrobial cutting board could possibly "reek havoc". Why? The rock is cooking, the tank is taking me forever to empty, but is on its way-bought the roto-zip to cut the board (which life has not let me get to, but hopefully today) but now concerned about this board. What is the problem with the board? I figured antimicrobial would be a good thing...

[Wiskey]

I don't trust it, I don't know what they do to make something "antimicrobal" but it has to be some kind of poison or anti growth agent, and there is no way to predict how that will effect your tank.

I would think that this is the same reason we don't use "Mildew resistant" silicone.

I would play it safe and get regular starboard, cutting board or HDPE.

Wish I had a better answer.
Whiskey

[Viv]

Appreciate your input! Truthfully, I think I'm gonna give it a try-not because you suggest not to, but its what I found after going 4 different places. Anyway, I'm getting very good at tearing down my tank-so I guess I'll find out pretty soon what happens. I don't think anything will be on it except for the LR, and I use a UV, so if there are any dead microbes they hopefully will be skimmed out. Are there microbes I need? I thought they were something I didn't want in the tank...don't they feed blooms? Maybe I'm lost again....

[Wiskey]

I would be less worried about dead microbs, and more worried about what killed them leaching into the water colum. Can you call the MFG and ask if the board is can leach this chemical? Can you find out what makes it "antimicrobal"? Is it food safe?

I would be a lot less worried if it were food safe, I figure if it is FDA approved, it is good enough for fish.

Whiskey

[tdwyatt]

viv, you know my position on this.


The issue is not the fishes, but the corals and the food chains (what few can survive in closed systems) that depend to a large extent on microbial life. Many corals farm micrbes in their mucus as a source of nitrogen, not to mention that the live rock depends on a multitude of bacteria to do the biological filtration it is responsible for. Add to that the fact that we have no idea how these substnces will affect the corals themselves, and I should think that you would not want to risk the loss in time, much less the potential loss of coral lives over haste to put together a project.

Find real starbord or untreated cutting boards, or identify the agent used to make the boards antibcterial so we can evalute how significant the impact might be.

[JT]

Aren't there certain plastics out there that are naturally bacterial resistant? I know Polysulfone is used all the time in food-service, medical, and pharmaceutical industries. It is weather and chemical resistant and also FDA certified. Unfortunately it is also super expensive.

[Viv]

Its "100% virgin poly in compliance with FDA regulations and NSF standards for food contact use". It is USDA certified for "professional food service use". But I will take the time to search the internet to check if the company will give me a clue as to what makes it antimicrobial. It states that in will "inhibit growth of bacteria, but will not protect against food-borne bacteria or germs". Really don't want to set the whole thing up spending money on corals and such to have them die. Will post if I find any info...

[Wiskey]

It might be saying that the material is very dense (not porus like wood) so microbes and bacteria can't live inside it.

Whiskey

[Viv]

Gees, I really don't know. Sent an email to the manufacturer to try and find out-no response yet. You may be onto something when you mention the density-it states its non porous, but I guess I'll wait a little and see if they write me back. Thanks for the help and thoughts everybody.

[Viv]

Hey Whiskey, you were right! Its the way the board is made that makes it antimicrobial. "Very high density polypropylene" will not allow germs to enter and grow within its structure. They assure me, nothing will wash out of the board-nor are there any molecules that will deteriorate into the water. Neither hot nor cold water will affect its properties. Sounds good to go-what do you think?

[Little Luey]

I am not sure but I believe the antimicrobal part is because the board will not be cut in to when you are cutting youe veggies or whatever you cut on it, therefore the microbes will not have a place to go in to, when you wash the board the soap may not reach in to the cuts. I have antimicrobal board in my tank, it is made of some very hard plastic tha supposebly will not get cut in to. Compare that to the wooden boards and you always get cuts in it so the bacteria has somewhere to grow.
This is my undestanding of this.

[tdwyatt]

Viv, You are AWESOME for taking the time to research this information, As getting the cutting boards is MUCH easier than trying to have the raw board shipped to most folks, this is a BIG step forward in going BB in systems.


YOU ARE AWESOME!


Thanks to all that took the time to get this information.

[Wiskey]

Great news, I say use it.

Whiskey

[theplatypus]

What is the name of the product and where did you find it?

[Viv]

It's called Polysafe, got it at Bed, Bath and Beyond-cooking section. It is actually a cutting board.