This Is Very Interesting

[Dude]

my tank has black gravel ... fine pieces ...but not sandy...

i dont have carbon in my filter...

the sand is very slightly magnetic

meaning if i put a strong magnet it could probably pick up some gravel pieces...



i just read here that snails do not like all kinds of irons and metals

is this why my MTS are dieing?

and i had an apple snail that died ?



could my gravel contain metals???


please tell me if im out of my mind

 

[AnneRiceBowl]

the short answer: yes

 

[wodesorel]

the short answer: yes

I second that.

 

[Qays]

the short answer: yes

I second that.

I third that

 

[MasterP]

new solution to snail control when the snails start breeding.

 

[Dude]

cRaP!
that sucks ...

i really needed those snails.....

should i put them in the 2.5 gall ? (no metals)



ps could this be affecting my fish in a bad way ... or my plants?

 

[three-fingers]

Possibly, cant you just change the substrate with different stuff? Was your substrate actually meant for fish?

 

[saboy]

if it has metals in it, then surely it cant be safe for fish if its not safe for snails

 

[diburning]

maybe its magnetite...

 

[Dude]

maybe its magnetite...

i have no clue what it is....

but its not rusting ..... i would think it would rust? if it was metal

and i did buy it at a fish store


ive kept fish with that gravel for about 2 years .... with no unusual casualties(sp)

just my snails have been dieing....

i dont want to change the gravel ... but if its bad for my fish then i think i just might have too ...
Should i change the gravel?


edit: i just remembered something. a long time ago i had shrimps .. and they would always escape. every time could this be related....

 

[Torrean]

I believe your substrate (gravel) Is galled Iron Slag. I've heard of it before but I can't remember where.

EDIT: I remember where now...it was from a pin on another forum.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

what kind of fish do you have? some fish are more sensitive to minerals content than others.

FYI: only Iron rusts other metals oxidize

 

[Dude]

I believe your substrate (gravel) Is galled Iron Slag. I've heard of it before but I can't remember where.

EDIT: I remember where now...it was from a pin on another forum.

yes it is iron slag or allso called Black Beauty so i guess its fish safe

pica_nuttalli. thanks for that exra info man... although i was right to say rusts

"Shrimps and snails don't like copper, but they're alright with iron"

are you sure?


but if its fish save it shouldnt contain metals ...
or should it


the fish in my tank are ...

cardinals corys ottos .... and thats it for now

Black Beauty- these very fine particles contain iron, which means they are not inert.

inert is to be in a state of doing little or nothing.

this is what i read on the net.

im confuzed?

 

[Fillet 'O' Fish]

If I were you i'd change it, or some of your may end up being

 

[andywg]

"Shrimps and snails don't like copper, but they're alright with iron"

are you sure?


but if its fish save it shouldnt contain metals ...
or should it

Have you ever seen the old shipwrecks in the sea, teeming with coral, shrimp and fish life, all growing on, and living near, the rusting hull of old ships? Iron (and other ferrous metals, which all rust) in the aquarium is not a problem. If you have inverts, then copper is.