On The Issue Of Limescale

[Kaidonni]

Since I'm currently in paranoid mode (about to dose fish tank with Chanaverm to treat potential parasitic infestation...if I see nothing, then fish Tb is a very real possibility), I have to ask - is limescale toxic to fish? Well, I suppose in large amounts it won't do them any favours. It's built up on the back of the tank, in one corner in particular. I tried removing some, but immediately stopped because I didn't want to get it into the water (some went in) and poison the fish. I can't go about using any special methods (vinegar, lemon juice, etc) to remove it at the moment due to a planned medication regime, but during a future water change - while the water level is lowered and away from the limescale - I could try removing some then.

 

[techen]

A lot of people get limescale, I don't think it's bad for fish. I wouldn't worry about it

 

[Kaidonni]

Phew, that's a relief. I do suffer from OCD, so at the moment - what with medicating poorly fish - I'm rather paranoid and second-guessing myself. Rather than start a completely new thread, I do have another question - while it is advised that tap water is left uncovered while dechlorinating it, I always cover my buckets over. I use Nutrafin Aqua Plus and only add the water to the tank after a period of 24 hours has elapsed, so is it fine to leave my buckets covered in this instance? Can't say that this has caused any harm to the fish, I've done it for a while now this way (two to three years), but I'm wondering if I'm mucking anything up doing it this way. I just imagine dust and other nasties getting into the water (although I've got a second bucket standing, and the board I use isn't large enough to cover both fully).

 

[SLIM]

Out of interest, why do you leave the buckets standing for 24hours before adding them to your tank?

 

[Kaidonni]

Because I was under the impression that it was best to leave them for 24 hours to give the Aqua Plus sufficient time eliminating chloramine (as well as chlorine).

 

[SLIM]

That process only takes a matter of minutes. There really is no need to leave it 24hours. When performing a water change I drain my tank, then fill it back up with tap water (with filter off) add seachem prime straight to the tank to eliminate chloramine and chlorine, wait 10 mins then switch filter back on.

Job done.