Fish Tank Substrate Coming Apart?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mr. Inquiry
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Mr. Inquiry

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When I do a water change I take out the water and swish around the gravel a bit so that the scum on the bottom can be picked up by the filter. Lately I have seen man sparkling little specs in my water that are blue. I thought it was a filter problem, being that my filter cartridge is blue, but now that I'm looking at it, the paint on my substrate is coming off!! That must be it. I have thoroughly washed the rocks before use in this tank.

Is this normal? Should I not really worry about it? If it's something that wont harm my fishies than I'll let the tank do whatever but I think it may be harmful...and I don't know what to do.
 
Did you wash the rocks in warm or hot water? If so, this is probably the reason for the paint coming off.

Normally, rocks for aquarium use are painted in non toxic, aquarium safe paint. However, I'd removed the rocks and replace them if I were you, as this does not normally happen. Preferably with unpainted rocks or sand, to ensure it doesn't happen again. I've never had this happen in my aquarium, but I made the mistake of washing my painted rocks in hot water a while ago and noticed the paint running down the drain. I have since switched to natural substrates.
 
It sounds like you have had your gravel for too long. When colored gravel gets old the paint starts to come off. I suggest going to a pet store and getting new colored gravel or natural gravel which will not flake. Good luck
 
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