Turface turning blue!

nativeplanter · 01-14-2004, 06:41 PM

Hi all,

I use Turface as substrate in one of my tanks. Some of the grains are turning bright blue! Not blue-grey, but really blue. I have used an Ich treatment lately, but can't recall if it was there before. It is affecting some grains, and not others, which are still tan. I would figure if it were staining from the treatment, it would affect them all, right? It also seems to only be affecting grains on the surface, not the ones underneath.

Anyway, has anyone else heard of this? I'm rather perplexed.

-Laura

George Willms · 01-14-2004, 06:43 PM

is it forming a film between grains also?

nativeplanter · 01-14-2004, 06:50 PM

No film, it isn't blue-green algae. This seems to be actually affecting the particle itself. Some particles seem to be light blue-grey, as if they are on their way to being the bright blue of others. But neighboring grains can be unaffected. I haven't tried breaking one open - I'll get the hammer out.

-Laura

**GulfCoastAquarian** · 01-14-2004, 08:01 PM

Weird. Let us know what it looks like inside. It is probably the methylene blue. Or maybe it is bonding copper out of the water? hmmmm That would take a HECK of a lot of copper.

nativeplanter · 01-15-2004, 05:49 PM

OK, so I did some experiments this morning.

1) broke some particles open. It is not colored inside, even though the entire outside is bright blue.

2) Put one particle in each of 3 treatments - vinegar, oxyclean (to try to oxidize), and ammonia. No effect after 10 minutes. Will see what they look like when I get home tonight.

The methylene blue would have been my first guess, except that it seems to be affecting certain grains specifically and not others, and the silicone isn't at all stained.

Will report back later with the results from the experiments!

-Laura

hubbahubbahehe · 01-16-2004, 02:23 AM

it's the methylene blue..that stuff stains everything in the tank..

compulsion · 03-07-2004, 11:16 PM

yeah but he said it hasent stained everything.. but i have no clue what it is.

01-14-2004, 06:43 PM	#2
George Willms Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Rutherford, NJ Posts: 1,433	is it forming a film between grains also? __________________ George #2 Ehfipimp extraordinaire! Eheim Pimp Club Recruiter, Saergant at Arms, and Enforcer. 29 and 45 gallon. 2026, 2028 My 29 gallon tank

01-14-2004, 08:01 PM	#4
GulfCoastAquarian Planted Tank VIP (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,577	Weird. Let us know what it looks like inside. It is probably the methylene blue. Or maybe it is bonding copper out of the water? hmmmm That would take a HECK of a lot of copper. __________________ - Sam P - plantedtanker in limbo - all tanks currently in storage

01-16-2004, 02:23 AM	#6
hubbahubbahehe Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Fremont, California Posts: 1,315	it's the methylene blue..that stuff stains everything in the tank.. __________________ Eheim Pimp Club Member #32

03-07-2004, 11:16 PM	#7
compulsion Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 524	yeah but he said it hasent stained everything.. but i have no clue what it is. __________________ 55US Gallon Medium Planted \| 36x15x24Tall PH 7.0 - 7.2 GH 11 Ehiem 2232 Thermo 2.7WPG 160W 10,000k 5xNO T8's Sand+Eco Clay, CSM+B Baby Steps + Pres.Co2

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01-14-2004, 06:41 PM	#1
nativeplanter Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 22	Hi all, I use Turface as substrate in one of my tanks. Some of the grains are turning bright blue! Not blue-grey, but really blue. I have used an Ich treatment lately, but can't recall if it was there before. It is affecting some grains, and not others, which are still tan. I would figure if it were staining from the treatment, it would affect them all, right? It also seems to only be affecting grains on the surface, not the ones underneath. Anyway, has anyone else heard of this? I'm rather perplexed. -Laura

01-14-2004, 06:50 PM	#3
nativeplanter Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 22	No film, it isn't blue-green algae. This seems to be actually affecting the particle itself. Some particles seem to be light blue-grey, as if they are on their way to being the bright blue of others. But neighboring grains can be unaffected. I haven't tried breaking one open - I'll get the hammer out. -Laura

01-15-2004, 05:49 PM	#5
nativeplanter Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 22	OK, so I did some experiments this morning. 1) broke some particles open. It is not colored inside, even though the entire outside is bright blue. 2) Put one particle in each of 3 treatments - vinegar, oxyclean (to try to oxidize), and ammonia. No effect after 10 minutes. Will see what they look like when I get home tonight. The methylene blue would have been my first guess, except that it seems to be affecting certain grains specifically and not others, and the silicone isn't at all stained. Will report back later with the results from the experiments! -Laura

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