Is this the most fugly toning ever or what? Was sitting at the bottom of my 55gal for a little over a month. It's a regular old circulated '71 clad, that I was using for a ship wreck theme. I was surprised at how quickly it changed and that toning is on there good. However I'm not sure if it's just a coating or an actual chemical change to the surface. I'm amazed the fish can live in that water? Heck they thrive in that water! I guess this is what Nitrates do to Ni/Clads.
Salt water or fresh water tank? Also, is there any danger to the fishies by putting something like this in the tank?
Regular old fresh water, and I really can't image the nickel having any effect (Copper I don't know?) but non the less these got fugly as all get out and will probably remove them. (Only had four in there)
Copper will kill your fish tout de suite. Throwing a pre '82 penny in a fishtank is what you did when you didn't like someone. A copper nail will also kill many varities of trees.
Just cleaned one of the Ike's and it was pitted, so it looks like I will be changing the water this weekend. That fish water is harsh stuff!!! Anyone get that stuff in your eye? DON'T - your eye will puff up for a good day!
I'm surprised your fish survived. I would have thought all the copper in that Ike would have killed them off.
If I remember correctly copper sulfate used to be added to aquariums as an algicide and fungicide, used to turn the water blue kinda like a toilet cleaner.
Actually they are doing fine? Only have about six right now, and these very hardy breeds. Aussie Rainbows etc... The toning or crud did cover the coin in short order, that might be what saved them? None the less I will be changing the water...
Late '82 and later cents are the toxic ones due to the zinc. Once the copper cladding develops a pin hole, the zinc disolves into the water. Back in '82 and later, doctors were warning parents to keep "pennies" away from small children because swallowing the 98% zinc pennies made children very ill and a few even died from accute zinc poisoning. All animals, including humans, need TRACE amounts of zinc NOT grams.
Really, I've got a tree I've been trying to kill for years. I'm going to try that. Maybe I'll pound a section of copper pipe into it.
I think they use copper sulfate powder as a root killer if I remember right... Usually you can buy it cheap at the hardware store. You can also make it on the stove with some old pennies, sulfuric acid, and glassware. Boil it down, filter it, and let it dry out.
I am an experienced aquarist and been in TFH mag for some of my larger tanks (300+Gallons) and I'm positive that the pitting is from the KH (carbonate hardness) overtime it ruins impellers and deteriorates aquarium seals. Copper is dangerous to your fish and is used with methylene blue and formalin-aldahyde to rid fish of parasites in very small doses. just becareful.
