something controversial ?

[tat2tillidie]

the salt that builds up on the top of tank.should i scrape it back into the tank? or scrape it away from the tank and lights and vacumn up ? i have been adding it back to the tank but i was just told that it makes phosphate levels rise. what are some of your thoughts and opinoins?

 

[emonemo420]

i always threw mine back into the tank... if its true its raises phosphate levels that could be the reason I had so much hair algea....very good question though

 

[Gordonious]

I'd be surprised if salt creep on the outside of the tank somehow obsorbs phosphate from the air. I have always just thrown mine back in the tank. Carefull though that none of it lands on any invers such as star fish or corals, they would like it one bit. Just my opinion.

Jon

 

[a1amap]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12200934#post12200934 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gordonious
Carefull though that none of it lands on any invers such as star fish or corals, they would like it one bit. Just my opinion.

Jon

I think you meant "They would not like it one bit"

2 other reasons you may not want to just throw it back in:
1. If the lights are on the fish will eat it like food.
2. If any lands on wood around the tank, most wood has chemicals, so don't add it back into the tank

 

[tat2tillidie]

well i was told it would raise the posphates and there was another reason why you shouldnt put it back in but i cant remember lol

 

[Gordonious]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12201811#post12201811 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by a1amap
I think you meant "They would not like it one bit"

Yup that is what I meant.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12201811#post12201811 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by a1amap

1. If the lights are on the fish will eat it like food.

I once added the salt crystals made to treat fresh water fish to a tank with a brackish puffer in it. I went to another room for just a moment, came back and..... all the salt was already dissolved off of the bottom. At least that is what I thought when the puffer came from the back of the tank with a very full very lumpy stomach. The stupid thing had eaten all of them and was looking for more.

Most of the fish at work eat the salt when I knock it in as well. If you buy a new fish from the store I work at and your salinity rises you know why, lol.

 

[davidandliz]

so your saying our fish are excreting salt :S

 

[Gordonious]

Hum... by definition aren't all salt water fish salt excreters. ;-) One thing I did actually learn in school was the biological differences between salt and fresh water fish. As well as cold area and tropical fish. And several other things which my bio class didn't seem to think was as cool as I did, lol.

 

[EllieSuz]

I use a small, plastic plant watering can with a long "snout" to rinse off the salt creep. I do this as needed with fresh RO water as part of my top off routine. It dilutes the salt so fish don't eat it and keeps my tank looking well tended.

 

[tat2tillidie]

Well what about smoke? Me and my wife smoke but I have a air purifier. I was thinking smoke puts off carbon dioxcide doesn't carbon dioxcide get absorb by water then turn into carbonic acid? Not sure just something I heard

 

[a1amap]

I'd worry about your 1st hand smoke vs. your fish's getting second hand smoke :smokin:

 

[kaptken]

It's dirty kitty litter you have to worry about. cat urine puts out lots of ammonia. the tank water surface and skimmer put it in the water and grows algae. which is also why you dont use windex on the tank glass. ammonia. AKA: Fertilizer!!

 

[tat2tillidie]

Wow that's all I use is windex!!!! Ken what should I use?

 

[Gordonious]

Use tap or RO water. Never use any cleaning products near your tank. Only thing else I might consider using would be white viniger.

 

[tat2tillidie]

thanks jon

 

[kaptken]

no windex. too much ammonia. One old trick i read somewhere to stop salt creep is, after cleaning with fresh water, and drying the tank frame, wipe it down with a little vegetable oil on a paper towel. I guess the idea is salt water and oil dont mix so as salt and water creep up, the oil stops it in its tracks. Down side is oil sorta drys out and gets all gummy, and collects dirt and dust and hair. so still clean often.