Cake for the fish!!

[CHRISTINE BAIRD]

Got home from work yesterday, casually my husband said that I might not need to feed the fish for some time, my Grandaughter had put some birthday cake into the tank (10 gal). By the time they had realised it had been in the tank for about half an hour. The tank was not too cloudy but I guessed that the sugar would be pretty high. So I did a major water change, about 60%. This morning the tank was very cloudy, not able to see some of the fish, however, the fish seemed to be ok. Thought about it all day at work and decided to take half of the water from another 10gal I have up and running, put the fish in that while I completely cleared their tank and then put back the fish with the water and all the bacteria I could salvage. This I have done. Then I have topped up both tanks as though doing a water change. Any comments please as I guessed this was the only thing to do.

[SchizotypalVamp]

You did the right thing IMO...poor you!

[cichlidsrextrem]

i dont know what that would do to them i mean they might get really hyper lol na but it could maybe clog the filter if any cake broke off and some could just get stressed out i say wait a day and do another water change and atleast your grand daughter didnt want to leave the fish out of the party i hope all your fish end up ok

[msjinkzd]

water changes until cleared is the best course of action, then a talk wiht the granddaughter about how important it is to let you feed the fish so they don't get sick.

[CHRISTINE BAIRD]

I have had a word with everyone concerned not to leave said grandaughter unattended!!!!

[CHRISTINE BAIRD]

I really didnt know what sugar in the water would do?

[CHRISTINE BAIRD]

After having done what I did as regards water change and clearing tank, I still have a slight cloudy tank. Could this be the waste that the fish are now producing. Sadly lost two little ones, I think they ate too much cake and got bound up.

[CHRISTINE BAIRD]

Grandaughter is only 20 months and has up till now helped me feed the fish, unfortunately while I was absent she fed them herself!

[msjinkzd]

i completely understand as I have 2 young children myself. I would just keep doing water changes until its clear :( sorry to hear aobut the fish.

[CHRISTINE BAIRD]

Thanks, will do the water changes as suggeted

[Slappy*McFish]

Sorry you lost some fish, but that is a funny story. Gotta love the kids. ;)
Just be glad is wasn't a reef tank she tossed the cake into.

[BigAds]

For quite a while I've been having my (now) 3-1/2 year old daughter help me feed the fish in her 10 gallon tank... we refer to it as her job, and it's very important that she helps me with it and does it right. She thinks it's great, and it's done a good job of keeping her from getting too curious or otherwise "attacking" the tank. Granted, 20 months and 3 years is a big difference, but I think you're doing right. I'd rather teach my daughter what can and should be done than prevent her from helping or learning.

Best of luck.

[wataugachicken]

the granddaughter. . .well, that's what granddaughters do. especially at 20 months old. the husband, on the other hand. . . . he needs a beating. he should know better.

[CHRISTINE BAIRD]

Thanks everyone for support, all seems well with the tank now, fish seem happy and water keeping crystal clear. As for the family, well I dont think they will let Maddy anywhere near it unless I'm there. Someone did suggest I get some fine netting to go over the top. Perhaps that would save the remote controls, mobile phones etc!!!