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Post by goldenpuon on Nov 25, 2009 18:02:10 GMT -5
For the past few months, I have been slowly removing the gravel in my 10 gallon tank with my goldfish Puon and Oranda. I want a bare-bottom tank and I almost have that now. The tank has been set up 4 years or more if memory serves.
But what I noticed today when I took gravel out is tiny shining specks at the bottom of the tank. No doubt the gravel at the very bottom has been eroded slightly but it appears as if the glass has a bit too. I move around my gravel often so the bottom layer building up waste is not a problem. Rather it seems like my tank has gone through the natural erosion process somehow. Like with the gravel and glass tiny specks of glass that are at the bottom. (There is no leaking or damage to my tank, it is just age.)
But my concern is my 2 goldfish in there. They forage at the bottom a lot of time each day. If they ingested the eroded pieces of gravel/glass, could it hurt them?
Puon has been having swimmbladder problems the past few months (getting stuck at the bottom.) This seems pretty unrelated but it started around the time I started taking gravel out. Could the fish ingesting tiny particles of glass caused this?
Thanks.
Renee
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Post by parker002 on Nov 25, 2009 21:41:25 GMT -5
Glass doesn't erode nor is it reactive, at least not to my knowledge. That's why glass is considered a universal container, whether you're storing hydrochloric acid, gasoline, or water.
It could be that it's some kind of mineral deposit from your water, although having a mineral in a high enough concentration to actually crystallize underwater would be pretty rare.
It's probably small pieces of your aquarium gravel. Alot of the decorative stuff they sell at Walmart and the like appears to me to be made of silica. That's how they make it non-toxic and pH-neutral - it's essentially glass.
If your gravel is breaking up, that could explain the small pieces that appear to be glass because the small pieces would not appear to be as deep in color as a bigger piece. And I said breaking UP (not down), as in being broken into smaller pieces by force like your gravel vac. It's highly unlikely that your gravel would break down as part of a chemical reaction - the property that makes it non-toxic and pH-neutral is the fact that it doesn't react to water and trace elements that would be present in a fish tank. Something strong enough to actually break down your gravel, like an acid, would have killed your fish long ago.
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Post by goldenpuon on Nov 25, 2009 22:46:07 GMT -5
Thanks Parker002. I bet that is what it is happening to the gravel. It definitely makes sense that if the gravel is made of silica (sort of like glass as you mentioned), that when it breaks down, that it seems a lot like glass from the aquarium in appearance. Your post was very helpful.
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Post by parker002 on Nov 25, 2009 23:51:48 GMT -5
Certainly, I'm not an expert by any means so don't take my word as gospel. I've got a pretty solid understanding of chemistry and biology, but Carl is the professional and I'm sure he can give a more definitive answer when it comes to aquaria.
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Post by Carl on Nov 26, 2009 13:02:22 GMT -5
Certainly, I'm not an expert by any means so don't take my word as gospel. I've got a pretty solid understanding of chemistry and biology, but Carl is the professional and I'm sure he can give a more definitive answer when it comes to aquaria. Actually your answer has nothing I can add to, as your knowledge in this subject is obviously quite good and explanation was first rate (Have you taught at some time?) As well, Thanks for the compliment, but I am also always learning from others, such as yourself too (although Brenda and Barbara have not been active of late, their knowledge of rare cichlids has taught me much) Thanks for the excellent reply Parker  Carl |
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Post by parker002 on Nov 27, 2009 1:11:32 GMT -5
Certainly, I'm not an expert by any means so don't take my word as gospel. I've got a pretty solid understanding of chemistry and biology, but Carl is the professional and I'm sure he can give a more definitive answer when it comes to aquaria. Actually your answer has nothing I can add to, as your knowledge in this subject is obviously quite good and explanation was first rate (Have you taught at some time?) As well, Thanks for the compliment, but I am also always learning from others, such as yourself too (although Brenda and Barbara have not been active of late, their knowledge of rare cichlids has taught me much) Thanks for the excellent reply Parker Carl Does my time time as an undergrad assistant count as "teaching"? If yes, would it still count if I told you I majored in History and German?  I'm just a naturally inquisitive person. I enjoy experiencing and learning new and varied things. I'm also slightly OCD, but that's another story. I'm absolutely flattered that you would ask me such a question but no, I don't teach. I design enterprise data networks. Figuring out how the Internet works happened to be the one obsession that I could use to make money. |
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Post by Carl on Nov 27, 2009 10:56:27 GMT -5
Does my time time as an undergrad assistant count as "teaching"? If yes, would it still count if I told you I majored in History and German? Yes IMO One can learn much IMO outside of their field of study in school if a person is truly willing to learn. I was a business major (although I was accepted as a Pre.Vet major , but switched majors as business seemed to be quicker means to an end at the time since I had natural apptitiudes in this area according to others and tests, although in hind sight, I would have pursued different endeavor). That all said I too am very inquistive, especially as per science (& history too). I have learned much post schools years in part by listening to/reading others and taking constructive criticism (one Doctor that I became friends with via my aquarium service business became a very good mentor who did not always tell me what I wanted the hear). I also think I can understand what you mean with being OCD as my son is high functioning autistic and my oldest daughter has neuro-sensory dysfunction This does not come at a surprise, I can tell from your posts (and how you post) than you know alot about many aspects of the interent. Carl |
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