amythest tank

[Torrean]

I don't have the money to do this right now but it is something I would like to do in the future. I would like to set up a tank with sand in the bottom and a layer of amethyst crystals on top. Would the points of the crystals be too sharp for the fish. Any suggestions on other decor. Is this an absolutely insane idea that would have an end result of a lot of dead fish. I wasn't sure which forum this should go in so I put it in here. I have a 29 gal and I am planning on setting up a small 10 gal as a quarantine tank. would this be a bad set up for a quarantine tank in particular. I think it would because it would be difficult to keep clean. Still i think it would be beautiful so if i can do it i would like to. I'm looking forward to your comments.

 

[OohFeeshy]

It seems a bit impractical. Not only would it be expensive, but, yes, it is sharp so you can't have bottom feeders. It would probably be the same to vacuum as gravel, but you'd have to fish out any bits that you suck up. Have a look in the rocks for aquarium bit, amethyst is quartz, isn't it?

 

[_fish_a_holic_]

I guess if you REALLY wanted to do it you could put the crystals in a rock tumbler and smooth the heck out of all those sharp edges...

Would this work?

Edit: I'm sorry; I was "trying to help", maybe I shouldn't ever post without having the TOTAL information? Mucho thanks William for having an Edit feature *phew*!

I'm referring to amethysts and/or quartz's effect on the water, IS it harmful? I've just looked up The-Wolf's excellent article on rocks in the aquarium and apparently quartz is inert and OK as long as the sharp edges are smoothed out . And yes, amethyst IS a gemstone variety of quartz.

I was just trying to give Torrean another idea to achieve HIS dream tank, as long as it doesn't harm any living organism! Hey, whatever turns your dial! (it WOULD look pretty though)

 

[OohFeeshy]

Possibly.... But it will take ages, and rock tumblers are pricy. I wanted one

 

[_fish_a_holic_]

Possibly.... But it will take ages, and rock tumblers are pricy. I wanted one

Amethyst is pricier!!! (Unless Torrean has a secret stash of it somewhere and doesn't want to sell it hehee)

And as for taking ages, some people will go to all lengths to achieve a dream.

I'm not making fun of you oohFeeshy, just kiddin' around...

 

[_fish_a_holic_]

would this be a bad set up for a quarantine tank in particular. I think it would because it would be difficult to keep clean.

Carefully re-read Torrean's original post.

My question is, why would you want a quarantine tank to look beautiful? Why don't you just go the whole hog and amethyst-size the 29 g??? (The answer is probably price). I always thought that quarantine tanks should be bare bones with lots of plants to reduce stress, etc. I really don't think your fish are gonna care much about what their substrate looks like, but hey they might, who knows what a fish thinks?? (I'D sure like to know...)

 

[Snowbrumby]

I think an amethyst tank would look pretty But yes, wouldn't use it for a hospital tank - you'd sit down to look at your pretty tank and end up being upset because all you could see was the poor sick fishie

As for the amethyst, check out some of the online Auction sites for tumbled amethyst or try a Gemshow next time theres one in your area maybe. Already tumbled amethyst is usually cheaper as it was not 'jewellery' - gem - quality so was tumbled.
I have a normal gravel bottom tank dotted with some Amethyst marbles and beads, these look lovely.
Good luck with it

 

[Torrean]

I have a rock tumbler, and the hospital tank will only be a hospital tank when I have sick fish. I have some gourami's that aren't doing well in the 29 gallon. The other fish are picking on them. So I would keep the gourami's in the hospital tank when all the other fish are healthy. Is this a bad idea?

edit: you were right about the secret stash except it isn't gem quality. It is crushed amethyst and it's all over the mountain that my gpa lives on.

 

[MegTheFish]

I have amythest in my tank, and there are no sharp edges.

 

[The-Wolf]

Torrean, see my reply in th pinned rock article

 

[Torrean]

Is the iron in the amethyst one of the ore no no's you talked about or is it ok?

 

[vantgE]

yeah i believe it's not tank safe as evidence wolfs article, for the many who won't go read it

 

[Torrean]

Yeah I read wolf's article before I made this post I guess i should have just put it in there. Anyway I didn't know that Amethyst had Iron in it thanks for the info wolf.