"chicken wire" in filters

[Paul]

Hi guys, a quick Q for your knowledgable selves. I use some chicken wire in
my home-made bio filter design. It's constantly submerged in moving water.
do you think this should be alright?

I also have some fencing wire that is showing occasion signs of rust.

Is this really bad?

[Dinky]

"Paul" > wrote in message
...
> Hi guys, a quick Q for your knowledgable selves. I use some chicken wire
in
> my home-made bio filter design. It's constantly submerged in moving water.
> do you think this should be alright?
>
> I also have some fencing wire that is showing occasion signs of rust.
>
> Is this really bad?
>
>
In a word, Yes.

The chicken wire will break down and rust, playing hell with your water
quality. I'd remove it as soon as possible. There are literally hundreds of
commercially available baskets, nets, bags, and strainers made of
non-corroding materials that will likely do what you want, without the side
effects.

billy

[Paul]

that is showing occasion signs of rust.
>>
>> Is this really bad?
>>
>>
>In a word, Yes.
>
>The chicken wire will break down and rust, playing hell with your water
>quality. I'd remove it as soon as possible. There are literally hundreds of
>commercially available baskets, nets, bags, and strainers made of
>non-corroding materials that will likely do what you want, without the side
>effects.
>

Ok, I'll get it out ASAP. which particular water paramaters does Iron Oxide
effect?

[Dinky]

"Paul" > wrote in message
...

> >
>
> Ok, I'll get it out ASAP. which particular water paramaters does Iron
Oxide
> effect?
>
>

I'm starting to smell something here.....

[Paul]

Dinky wrote in message >...
>
>"Paul" > wrote in message
...
>
>> >
>>
>> Ok, I'll get it out ASAP. which particular water paramaters does Iron
>Oxide
>> effect?
>>
>>
>
>I'm starting to smell something here.....


I was just wondering that's all... it would be good to know...

[Racf]

"Paul" > wrote in message
...
> Hi guys, a quick Q for your knowledgable selves. I use some chicken
wire in
> my home-made bio filter design. It's constantly submerged in moving
water.
> do you think this should be alright?
>
> I also have some fencing wire that is showing occasion signs of rust.
>
> Is this really bad?
>
>

I doubt it will really matter much....

[NetMax]

"Paul" > wrote in message
...
> Hi guys, a quick Q for your knowledgable selves. I use some chicken
wire in
> my home-made bio filter design. It's constantly submerged in moving
water.
> do you think this should be alright?
>
> I also have some fencing wire that is showing occasion signs of rust.
>
> Is this really bad?

Without knowing the materials used, it's impossible to say. It's
probably got some iron (which is fairly non-toxic) and maybe zinc, nickel
& lead, or maybe it's galvanized iron. Whenever you are working with
unknowns, it's preferable to not have to take the chance. Even fairly
non-toxic metals can in an aquarium, build up to non-natural levels,
leaving you with mystery fish symptoms to ponder over. It's probably
safe to say that if the fish have not all keeled over by now, that you
don't have to rush to remove the metal, but I'd be planning a plastic
replacement (and keep up the water changes till then). (JMO)

If I remember correctly some metals (Silver?) are used in expensive
filtration systems because they destroy bacteria. Of course, what is
good for our drinking water is not necessarily good for our aquarium
systems (which need their good bacteria), so ymmv.

NetMax