White floating rocks.

sotvotkong · 11-09-2006, 05:38 AM

Ive got an odd white rock like thing floating at the top of the tank, I removed it and squezed it to see if it was a rock but it was easy to smash. This is the 4th one ive found at the top floating in about 6 months. Each time only 1. There small like small rock salt. Its a 50 gal tank thats 2 years old. 2 emperor 400 filters. All my tests show normal results. The ph is 7.6, temp 78.4f, and it gets weekly 25-40% water changes. The rocks were taken from a larger tank when I decided to have a color change (BLUE ROCKS). I have to admit the light is on about 99.9% of the time...the fish seem to like it alot more. There isnt an algae problem or the light defenitly wouldnt be on 24/7. As for whats in the tank: 1 male, 1 female Cichlid(Pseudotropheus) Witch are breeders 2nd generation from another tank. 3 Yoyo Loaches. 1 15inch pleco. 1 albino chinese algae eater. 1 fidler crab. 15 split tail tetras (Hasemania marginata) 1 Auratus Cichlid. I spend about 6-10 hours a day looking at my fishtank and they all get along fine, no one picks on anyone. No eratic behavior from my fish besides the male trying to atract the female. But were are the little white rock like things coming from? Nothing in the tank is that color. So its gotta be a buildup of something, I just cant find out what. Its not in any of my other tanks. Looking for a little help here.

jd@ga · 11-09-2006, 11:11 AM

Hey sotvotkong! Have you put anything new on the tank( filter/heater/etc) ? It sounds like packing material.

sotvotkong · 11-09-2006, 04:16 PM

No, nothing at all new in the last 3 months. no new fish in 9 months.

Tommy Gun · 11-09-2006, 06:25 PM

This has me stumped, but I am curious to know if you use a water softener on the water that you put in the tank...maybe it is salt from the softener that is collecting somewhere in the tank (maybe on or near an airstone, like salt creep) and finally floating to the top.

Dont get me wrong here, but I am amazed to hear that all your fish get along. Good for you though! Auratus are some of the meanest cichlids out there!

jd@ga · 11-10-2006, 12:42 AM

Hey what about some type of eggs?

gm333 · 11-10-2006, 01:21 AM

Next time get a pic so we can determine what it might be.

sotvotkong · 11-10-2006, 03:13 AM

Well there definately not eggs.

Quote:

I am curious to know if you use a water softener on the water that you put in the tank...maybe it is salt from the softener that is collecting somewhere in the tank (maybe on or near an airstone, like salt creep) and finally floating to the top.

This seems like this is possible, I do use chems on my water, and the house has soft water...but still wouldnt explain it only happening in 1 tank. Ive searched everywere I can think of that it could build up, and cleaned everything that could hold it.
Since it doesnt seem to be hurting any of the fish now, im gonna wait till I find another one floating in the tank and get a pic of it.

As for them getting along it took along time to pick the right fish from my other tanks for it to work.

Apreciate all the help, and any that comes between now and the pics.

Jay · 11-10-2006, 07:21 AM

Beats me

I'm just tagging on to get an update when you figure out where they are comming from.

Jay

sotvotkong · 11-23-2006, 04:18 AM

Well Ive found out what it was. It is salt buildup. Just having some trouble finding it. Im guessing its so small that when i find the small floating white rocks something moved, broke, or gave way from size. From something like water current. So ive redecorated for better flow. And I also made sure to check all pumps/filters/hoses for buildup. Im gonna go get a hydrometer soon as to make sure the salt is not to high, even tho I think theres no way it will be.

Thanks for the help