rust in tank

[onecardking]

I have had a saltwater tank for 5 years about 6 months ago my snails started dying and a bunch of long hair algea has grown. i tried to take it out but it continues to grow. i think my snails have died because rust got in the tank. My hermit crabs are still alive. How can i get rid of the poisonoous rust in the tank?

 

[fmarini]

hi:
this is confusing. You think there is actually metal rusting in your tank? from the description your giving it sounds like you have diatoms. It also reads like your water quality is slowly deteriorating, and its time to do some cleaning, frequent water changes and a few chemistry tests.
Can you relate to us what the water paramters are? are you topping off w/ tap water?
I suspect your snails died for someother reason, and that your noticing this rust color diatoms on your rocksurfaces and substrate.
So assuming its metal rusting, can you just scoop it out?
frank

 

[onecardking]

i have had my water tested many times over the months and nothing has been detected. I have not done a copper test though. As far as the rust goes i have a metal clamp on the top of the tank that is rusting and may have droped some rust in the tank. All I know at this point is my snails are all dead and so is my urchin. No crabs or shimp have died. and fish and fans are fine. no actual rust is visible. Could there be some type of poisonous algea in my tank?

 

[beth]

Metals that rust in the vicinity of the tank should be seriously avoided. Discontinue use of this fixture. I would suggest doing a major water change and see if this improves the situation.
Also, post your water conditions. Copper test kits are not going to determine if rust got in the water. To do an analysis of the water, you may want to contact your local water supply company and see if they can help you out with water testing.

 

[fmarini]

Hi:
Please get rid of the rusting metal clamp. Iron filings are not helpful to your water.
So a few things.1)-your algae eaters (urchin, snails) have died in your tank, 2)-the crab shrimp are fine.
So lets see......do you have any algae left for the critters in 1) to eat? , if you suspect copper poisoning then why didn't the crab/shrimp die as well. My guess is the snails and urchin ran out of food, not that the food was poisonious. Have you seen the snails feeding on the rusted metal?
frank

 

[onecardking]

the metal was on a clamp on the top of the tank not accesible to the snails. As far as the food goes i still have long hair algea and algea on the sides and among the rocks so i do not think that is it. I think the rust amount was small enough to kill the snails but not the crabs but i am guessing.

 

[onecardking]

total death count now at 15 snails dead two zebra hermit crabs dead and five conche snails dead. i still have about 10 zebra crabs left and four other types of hermits. All fish fine except the lawnmower blenney seems to be getting pail. All fans still heathy algea types still long hair, red, and plain algea.copper test negative and water is healthy. I still have not had it analysed by anyone other than pet store.