graceless Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 Hey guys, I am working on making some slate structures for my tanks at the moment and have followed the prepping stages mentioned in other posts. my question is that some of the slate i have has some rusting occuring. is this terribly bad? Grace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntoTheRainz Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 HI there the rusty colour is just an indication of present mineral element (learn from geology tech. and soil behaviour subject for my civil engineering course) which is the ion which should be good for plants but fish i dont think its a much worry things as my fish in my plant tank (having dosing ion daily seems no effect on them) If any my information is incorrect , other people are well come to correct. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anchar Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 Hi Grace, I concur with rainz...if the rusting is actually due to the oxidation of iron pyrites enclosed within the slate layes, it is harmless. If however if it is rust from a metallic object that has been allowed to rest against the slate (eg. iron items left on the slate outside in the rain), I would use a wirebrush and remove any excess. In small concentrations, such as you have described, iron oxides are harmless (unless they have other dangerous metal compounds attached to them). merjo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brownfish Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 Hi Grace If you are nervous then go set up a small tank, say 18 inches long, and stick a corner filter and heater plus heap of your slate. Next, and this is the best bit, get a couple of Guppies and stick them in. Just wait a couple of weeks and if your Guppies are still alive then your Cichlids should be ok too. Hey you may as well get a male and some female Guppies to produce yourself a few live feeders. Of course, this trick works for any rocks that you are uncertain of. Some might think that I am a bit mean but 'most' of my fish love me Cheers Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chorrylan Posted June 19, 2004 Share Posted June 19, 2004 hmmm presumably the guppies don't count amongst the 'most'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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