Hardware cloth....toxic??

[Blue Hiller]

I have hardware cloth covering my fingerling tank and water from my towers falls through it into tank. It is a 2-week configuration and I just reflected that the metal/water reaction might not be great for the fish.

Thoughts? Thanks.

[Blue Hiller]

Anyone?

Thanks.

[Cecil Dale Baird]

Only if it's galvanized. Not sure if it is.

Plastic garden netting is cheap and easy to find. It comes in a large roll in Menards and you can stretch is tightly over a tank. Cut thin wall 1 inch PVC in in 1 inch sections and cut a slot in the section. Then use it as a clip to hold the plastic netting in place.

[Blue Hiller]

Thanks. I will verify if it is galvanized but I suspect so. I have removed this morning and will redo with plastic. Thanks.

Btw, what is it about the galvanization that affects the fish?

[Randy]

I would not allow any metal other than high quality stainless steel to be in contact with my fish water. Hardware cloth is very likely galvanized and should be avoided.

[Blue Hiller]

Done. Found out it was galvanized and replaced with plastic netting.

So much to learn...so many fish to kill.

[Robert C. Wood]

One of the metals in the galvanizing coating is zinc. I am sorry I don't remember what the other chemicals are involved in it. the zinc is able to dissolve out of the coating very easily when in contact with water.

[Cecil Dale Baird]

Rob,

I think it's more of a problem with acidic water vs. slightly basic. But not reason to take a chance of course.

[Blue Hiller]

Plastic netting working well...also easier to see fish. Thanks.