Hydrogen Sulfide in aquarium decoration?

[goldenpuon]

I added a fake plant to one of my betta, Dawn's 1 gallon earlier this week. I had sterilized it with vinegar and rinsed it thoroughly prior to adding it. I noticed no problems whatsoever.

A few days later I went to Petsmart and bought another aquarium decoration I added(a rock with a few fake leaves on it). Shortly after, I saw large bubbles forming at the water's surface and the container smelled strange, like battery acid. The betta (Dawn) seemed unharmed and was begging me for food as usual. But when I put my finger in, I felt some scum in there.

I changed 75% of the betta's water and cleaned the whole container out like I do every other weekend. I looked for uneaten food or something else that might have caused it but found nothing.

The next morning, I noticed a few bubbles again and by night, there were bubbles like the first time. And again there was scum forming.

I took the rock aquarium decoration out (which smelled like hydrogen sulfide) and did another water change. I sterilized everything and rinsed the rock aquarium decoration until it no longer smelled like that. I didn't put it back in the tank and there has not been a problem since. I also took the suction cup from the fake plant out in case that was the causing it also. I'm really wondering what was going on with my fish's container when the aquarium decoration was in there. There is also no gravel so there is nothing for hydrogen sulfide to build up in.

So I am wondering why and how this all happened when I added the aquarium decoration. I have never had this happen before. Any ideas?

Thanks.

Renee

[bikeguy33]

adding anything new to your tank should be very thouroughly cleaned. the problem here is probably something on the decoration through manufacturing or possibly a later contamination from somewhere else. the amount of people handling these ornaments before you get it into your tank is amazing. during this time things can get spilled on the product or any number of other contaminants. a thourough cleaning should look after all these problems

[goldenpuon]

I did rinse it before I added it but maybe not enough. It has tiny holes in the side that are unreachable to clean unless I use a toothpick. I'm might rinse it again but I think I'd rather return it. Whatever it is contaminated with, I don't want in my fish tanks. I have some other fakes plants and hiding places I recently sterilized that I can use instead. Thanks for the info Bill. I'll inspect and rinse aquarium decorations thoroughly before I add them to my tanks from now on.