Loaches Online Forum

I decided to do a little sanding in the bathroom this morning and forgot to shut the door. My 55 is right outside the bathroom, when I was done sanding I noticed that there was a very fine coating on the cover of the tank. I'm not sure how much may have gotten in the water but I'm pretty certain some must have made it through the holes in the cover where the intake and outtake pipes enter. I looked at the surface of the water, viewing from below, and could see dust on the surface. This however is not unusual, I seem to always get just regular dust in this tank. Anyone have a good idea for removing this?
I've done 2 partial water changes on the tank so far and have used the gravel vac near the surface to remove as much dust as I could. My fish are acting fine no odd behaviors, but I'm concerned that I may have screwed up the water. This was about 10 to 11 hrs ago. Do you think I'm safe? Should I do a bunch more water changes, add something to the filter?
Thanks

Hey,
I'd say you're fine. Sheetrock is basically Calcium Sulfate dihydrate (gypsum):

Ca++So4-- 2H20

The addition of small amounts of this shouldn't cause problems...
Sulfate salts (calcium sulfate, potassium sulfate, ferrous sulfate) are present in many plant fertilizers that we planted tank people use (including me). In trace quantities it won't harm your fish. Ca will increase your GH, but probably not measurably for the amount that got into your tank.

You might try a very fine net to skim the surface of the water to remove the dust - or better yet a skimmer if you have one.

I wouldn't worry unless the fish start acting funny (there might be some mold inhibitor additives or something in the drywall).

BTW those white vacation feeders that make a mess are made of calcium sulfate with food mixed in.


Cheers,
Batch

Thanks Batch, my loaches are still acting fine. So I'm ok then I guess.

i reckon you've done all you can do and if the fish are acting normal just leave it to the filters to clean it up.

mick