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	White/Orange crust? Salt maybe?
CT Small Fry Posts: 3 Kudos: 1 Votes: 3 Registered: 15-Nov-2004	Hello, I have only been keeping fish for a short time, but I have to know what this crust is that keeps developing on the outer limits of my tanks. It is white with a tint of orange sometimes, tastes like salt, sorta. It does clean up in most cases with water and elbow grease. It increases when I run my pumps with air stones and my fish just love lots of areation. Is there a checical out there to cut this down? Is my city water at fault? Or do I just sit back and take it as a sacrifice of enjoying my hobby? Thanks to all that reply. CT
Posted 10-Aug-2006 17:08
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	It will be coming through your water supply. Take two water samples to your LFS one from the tap and the other from your tank. Also what do you have in the tank, substrate, rocks etc? Please get back to us with all the test results. *Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info* Look here for my Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos Keith Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do. I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT? VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Posted 11-Aug-2006 03:03
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002	Hi, The crust is normal, particularly in area where the General Hardness (GH), or Carbonate Hardness (KH) are naturally high. The "crust" can also be found in tanks where the tap water is "normal" but the owner has opted to use gravel such as crushed coral, crushed limestone, crushed dolomite, or even crushed oyster shells. Or, the owner has rocks such as limestone in the tank. It is an evaporite that contains carbonates, and is easily removed by washing or scraping it off. If you can remove the encrusted object from the tank, you can use regular household vinegar to dissolve the material and clean the surfaces. I would not use it inside an active tank. Tanks that have been emptied and are encrusted can be cleaned with the vinegar, and a "plastic scrubby" from the local grocery store. After cleaning, rinse the tank out to get rid of the stuff and the vinegar. Hope this helps... Frank -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--
Posted 11-Aug-2006 07:19
CT Small Fry Posts: 3 Kudos: 1 Votes: 3 Registered: 15-Nov-2004	Thank you both for your replies, I will get tests done as soon as possible and inform you of the results. My Substrate is that just of a regular gravel found in any Fish store. I also have decroative castles and such. I am certain now it is the water supply, being in Texas water is not exactly in abundance and Im sure is treated extensively with chemicals. Again I have relied on this comminity and have been reassured through its members, Thank you very much!
Posted 12-Aug-2006 00:55
CT Small Fry Posts: 3 Kudos: 1 Votes: 3 Registered: 15-Nov-2004	Well I finally had the time to got to the lfs, what a wate of time! they used the little strip tests and told me it was salt and all can do is water changes to keep it down. Then on top of all that I spent $160.00 on a bunch of stuff I didnt need! I am begining to plant my tanks live and this will bring down my nitrates a bit, maybe it will lessen the salt too. Again thank you all! Chad
Posted 24-Aug-2006 23:22
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	Can you contact your local water supply if so they might be able to tell you exactly what the water peramiters are? Is there only one LFS in your area? Just a thought remove any artifical decorations and see if this makes a difference. I dont know if this will work but a carbon filter might help, but there can be problems using them, also they can become costly as they must be replaced regually. Also collect some water in a clean clear glass jar let it evaporate ans see if there is any trace of that "salt" for a better word. *Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info* Look here for my Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos Keith Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do. I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT? VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Posted 25-Aug-2006 01:55


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