QLD Cichlid Group Forum

Fish talk => General Aquarium Discussion => Topic started by: Hypancistrus Zebra on December 24, 2005, 12:19:16 AM

Title: Fibreglass background
Post by: Hypancistrus Zebra on December 24, 2005, 12:19:16 AM
Hey all,

I have a 6x2x2 with a fake rock, fibreglass background and I have been told the fibreglass gives off a toxin into the tank water. Has anyone got experience with something like this and is there any easy way to make the tank safe for fish(i.e. filter out the toxins somehow?). I have already lost a whole lot of discus in the tank so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Wilson.
Title:
Post by: gc on December 24, 2005, 09:09:50 AM
Thought it was safe, i use it for lids on a couple of tanks, i think some people line wooden tanks with it?
The resin may not have gone off completly, if so, you might get away with giving it a few coats of two-part epoxy paint for water tanks.
www.garf.org may have some info.
Where did you get it?
Title:
Post by: on December 24, 2005, 09:49:06 AM
Fibreglass should be fine as long as it was catalised properly and left to cure, always good to leave it in the sun for 14-21days to make sure.

If it is extemely old you may have some problems but i highly doubt it. But if you are making something new, make sure you use Vinyl Esters Resins, a little more expensive, but wont breakdown in water over time.

I would guess your water had more to do with the fish dieing than the fibreglass.

HTH.
Title:
Post by: Hypancistrus Zebra on December 25, 2005, 01:55:21 AM
I can't believe it was anything other than the background because after I removed the dead fish I emptied it out cleaned it(not with chemicals or soap) refilled it with aquarium water and put some convicts and creek guppies in it. they started dieing within 24 hours and I have seen creek guppies survive in some pretty scary water quality. The mate who I got the tank off never used it and it looks like the tank was built around the background. I dont think its possible to get it out and coat it with anything. Thanks for the suggestions though.

Wilson.
Title:
Post by: dammwoman on December 27, 2005, 12:39:35 AM
Don't know if theres anything you can do. I had the same problem with one and it never stoppped killing them. I chucked it in the dump,
Have seen others too like that but its only a few.
Maybe a batch of them had a bad betch of colouring or somethiing.
Cheers Linda