Rust in FO tank

Ok, i thought that the idea of a WWII airplane sunk at the bottom of the tank would be kick ass and look really cool once algea and stuff started growing on it. Sooo I clearcoated the plane(being it metal) and placed it between some live rock in the tank. I have a clown, snowflake eel, two cardinals, a blenny, damsel, and a shimp in my 75ga. I have noticed that the plane is starting to rust!! I gues if missed a few spots or just got really crappy paint, but anyway the livestock are doing fine it just the protein skimmer is filled with rusty colored residue and i have to clean it more often. Ive done a water change and from what ive researched, the rust shouldnt have to much of an effect on the tank as a whole. A few questions to anyone willing to help or that have had experience with decor that rusts.....

Is it safe, is the rust going to harm my fish?!

Will the rust eventually grow algea or will the iron fertilize the existing algea?!

With frequent water changes and skimming, should the tank be ok?

Any advice is greatly appreciated......Thanks, BAT

 

I would assume safe as most people run rust in reactors (gfo). But I am not positive.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

I can not answer that question however I do want to see some pictures..It would be cool to have a sucken boat/plane in the aquarium as part of the decor.

 

There's a major difference between using specially designed granules to absorb nutrients, and adding heavy metal compounds to your tank. Do you even know for certain what type metal it is? After all, most metals will rust in SW. By the time you realize it is harmful, it may be too late to save your livestock, and by then it will have also saturated your rocks and sand.

They do make aquarium-safe composite replicas, btw.

 

Can you take a picture of what your talking about? A plane in your 75g? I am guessing you either mean some sort of a part or something?

 

Things corrode is saltwater yes. Iron products rust. And ferric oxide is rust sure gfo may have have a special shape to absorb better but its still rust. It just holds together probably. Which is why his Skimmer is probably getting red stuff in it.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

errr...im gunna go with "bad idea". you have no idea if that plane or boat is 100% iron and i will be 10$(CAD) that its not. could contain zinc, LEAD, nickle or, wait for it...COPPER!adding unknowns can be risky but if its a risk your willing to take i wouldnt stop you.

****PICS!!!!****

 

I could definitely see the draw of doing something like this with a thicker sealant layer. The premade "aquarium safe" models just look so cheesy.

 

The more I think about this, you need to take into consideration that its in the water since the skimmer is picking it up. If its in the water it means in or passing thru the fish & thier gills. They maybe doing ok now but think long term it could almost be like living in polution. I would think against this until you can get it sealed up good.

 

That is true and I didn't think about that. I don't have much experience running gfo...or at all really...but I suppose red skimmate isn't a biproduct is it? And being a fish only tank copper wouldn't really be a bad thing. I mean if it got out of hand it would.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk