froggiegal

I bought sea glass for my betta's tank, washed it, rinsed it and it looks like it is dirty in the tank. It's not shiny. What's the best way to get the glass to sparkle?

Do I need to boil it? The internet says use soap and hot water but don't want to contaminate the glass.

Thanks.

Jess

Personally I would not use soap, could kill your fish. But boiling it would be a very good idea. Also remember, sea glass isn't supposed to be shiny, thats why when found on the beach it has that soft look, not shiny. (I have quite a collection of sea glass)
Have fun decorating.

Lonely Angel

Sea glass (which I assume is the same as what I call "beach glass") is by definition not shiny like regular glass. It has been pushed by the water's movement over the sand and worn smooth (which is why it won't cut you when you grab it) but also takes tthe shine off of it. It's left with a soft, almost pastel-like, color and texture which is what makes it unusual. If you really want a shiny glass look for your tank you might want to consider getting glass marbles or colored plastic cubes from your LFS.

Butterfly

Any pictures? I don't thin I've ever seen sea glass.
Carol

Jess

Hi Carol,
I grouped a few pieces together. This is what we find on the beaches in Ct. Of course you can find it anyplace people have tossed out glass along the coast.
So here's my sample of "Sea Glass".

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CindyJ

OMG those are gorgoeus Jess!!! In the landscape business the make tumbled glass that's used out doors and it's bumbled to take the sharp edges off of it so you can walk on it like rocks and not get cut. So it's shiny and not dull like the beach glass.Here's a link!
http://www.recycled-rocks.com/

Butterfly

Thanks for the pictures.That is really pretty.
Carol

froggiegal

Jess, thanks for posting the pictures. I took the sea glass out of the tank and put shiny glass stones / marbles of different colors and swirls. The sea glass really looked dull and my concern was that Wiggles' fins would get ragged...and they have! The sea glass was expensive. The stones were inexpensive from Walmart.

Wiggles likes to swim over the bottom of the tank. I bought some Java Moss and stuck it inside a rock that had two openings. Now Wiggles is swimming "through and under" the moss. I'm medicating the fins and hope they bounce back. Since this is my first betta, I don't know what to expect with the fins - whether they grow back and smooth out. I'll post pictures later today.

Jess

You're welcome Carol!

Wow Cindy very cool site, I had no idea they were doing this with glass. Did you happen to notice the glass boulders? They would look like glaciers in a fish tank. Hmmm a very interesting look. Maybe not for the delicate Betta though. Thanks for the site. : )

Froggiegal, I can see what you mean. . .possible problems if its too jagged. I've also seen it for sale. I just have a natural soft tumbled smallish pebble for substrate in our Betta tank. Hope your guy grows his beautiful fins back. Some people have had success with adding Garlic oil to the tank. I haven't tried it myself. But they swear by it. Love to see pictures.
Jess

CindyJ

Jess I love the boulders too!!! The stuffs not cheap but would be so neat in a tank!!

There's one other site too! http://www.glassscapes.biz/index.html

I hope Wiggles fins get better soon!!

froggiegal

Hi,

I'm not too familiar with uploading pictures. Hopefully, I will be successful in uploading a picture of the glass marbles I put in Wiggles' tank.

froggiegal

Well, I didn't do too well!

froggiegal

Wiggles is partially in the picture. I made an albumn up with a few of the fish I have. Not sure if you'd be able to find it. Tomorrow will be Wiggles' last antibiotic dosage. I'm hoping the fins smooth out.

CindyJ

Great pics!!! I love those glass smooth rock-marbles!! I love the shiny stuff

You can also find those smooth glass rocks at dollar store reall cheap too.

You have great fish too!!

I would love to afford those glass rocks in those web site links!!

Some day maybe!

Best of luck with Wiggles!!

froggiegal

The glass rocks were costly. I've been trying to read up on uploading pictures. So let me see if I can get Wiggles to show up!

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CindyJ

Great job!! You did it!!!

Wiggles is a beauty!!

Hope he's better soon!!

Take care!

Jess

CindyJ, I like the ocean mix for variety of color on that site. Also the mother of pearl might be interesting but you have to take into account what it will do to your pH before you add it. Cool site though.

Jess

Hey Froggiegal, I knew with a fun avatar like that you'd figure out how to post pictures. : )
Wiggles looks like he's coming along. Nice coloring on him. Also I see you have marbles, nice round n' soft. : )