Magnetic Gravel !

[1234-fishy-freind]

I was cleaning the glass in my 30litre with the magnetic algea scraper and the side in the tank separrated and fell to the gravel and when i lifted it up some gravel was stuck to it so i moved the magnet slowly over the gravel and sure enough it picked uo some more, not all of it is magnetic just odd bits, is it bad, what should i do.
thanks

 

[xxBarneyxx]

I was cleaning the glass in my 30litre with the magnetic algea scraper and the side in the tank separrated and fell to the gravel and when i lifted it up some gravel was stuck to it so i moved the magnet slowly over the gravel and sure enough it picked uo some more, not all of it is magnetic just odd bits, is it bad, what should i do.
thanks

What kind of gravel is it. It most likely contains bits of Iron. To be honest I'm not sure how harmful iron would be in a tank (I think it is safe but not 100% sure).

 

[1234-fishy-freind]

aquarium gravel i guess
i bought it from my lfs in a bag, not a carrier bad, a gravel bag, its black a small, dont really know what else to say about it

 

[GuppyDude]

Iron would rust in water I'd think. Where did you get this gravel at? It may mess with the PH of your water, but im unsure if it'll harm your fish. Id try to get as much of the iron out as possible.

 

[Mikaila31]

It should be fine, my gravel in my planted tank does the same thing and its never worried me before.

 

[1234-fishy-freind]

Is iron harmfull to fish, shrimp ect

 

[xxBarneyxx]

I think Iron might be ok (you can get iron supplements for planted tanks). Copper is poisons for inverts and is not to great in the long term for most fish either.

 

[1234-fishy-freind]

How can i tell the difference between a small piece of iron and a small piece of copper ?

 

[gowing238]

Iron is magnetic and copper is not. Also copper is an orangey red colour and iron is silver (or rusty!)

 

[loachman]

Some of the gravel is made of magnetite. It's Fe3O4. It is a naturally occuring magnetic ore/mineral. It is quite common to find some in play sand and other sources.

 

[1234-fishy-freind]

So i dont need to worry about it then ?

 

[afishdude]

i wouldnt worry about it then. put some live plants in it, they would thrive in the iron enriched gravel.i wouldnt worry about it then. put some live plants in it, they would thrive in the iron enriched gravel.