Advice on resetting a contaminated tank

K

KiwiBoy

AC Members
Nov 29, 2009
16
0
0
Hi all

I posted about my newb dramas in a thread earlier. (scroll down a little to see that if you like) Thanks for your advice AqCent peeps I decided not to return my tank.... and am starting over. I really need yous direction though as I am still somewhat suspicious of advice I am getting from my LFS. They have been pretty good about it all btw admitting some fault and offering to credit me for all the fish I have bought


I have a JUWEL Vision 1800, info on that tank can be found here

http://www.juwel-aquarium.de/en/vision.htm?cat=10

or snipped info

..............................

A Vision Aquarium from JUWEL Aquarium is equipped with:
- High-Lite light unit including tubes
- Bio filter including pump and filtermedia
- heater
Volume: approx. 180 Litres
Measurements: 92 x 41 x 55 cm
Equipment:
1 x High-Lite Light Unit 92 cm, 2 x 35 W
1 x Pump Set Bioflow 600
1 x Heater 200 Watt
...............................

Filer info here

http://www.juwel-aquarium.de/en/filter_full.htm

My tank got over chemicalised (word?) and half th fish died and the rest ended up with fin rot. I returned the fish and have now emptied my tank

My questions

# can I scrub my stones in boiling water and effectively sanitise them to use again?

# Do I need to replace all the filter sponges? Or is just giving them a decent washing out going to do the trick?

# when cleaning out the empty tank am I supposed to just use water? Or is a very low mix of a mild detergent and water ok? yes I realise this might make me sound like a grade A nincompoop and I suspect

"NO SOAP FOOL" :duh:

is the answer.....jus checking ok :P


Once I have cleaned it all out and have stones in I have been told to just add some Tap water conditioner only (AQUA PLUS by NUTRAFIN), then populate the tank with plants only and wait and test for 2 weeks (Im gonna make that 4 to be safe)

How am I doing? Any other pearls of wisdom
:)
 
bbbb
KiwiBoy said:
Hi all

my comments in red
I posted about my newb dramas in a thread earlier. (scroll down a little to see that if you like) Thanks for your advice AqCent peeps I decided not to return my tank.... and am starting over. I really need yous direction though as I am still somewhat suspicious of advice I am getting from my LFS. They have been pretty good about it all btw admitting some fault and offering to credit me for all the fish I have bought


I have a JUWEL Vision 1800, info on that tank can be found here

http://www.juwel-aquarium.de/en/vision.htm?cat=10

or snipped info

..............................

A Vision Aquarium from JUWEL Aquarium is equipped with:
- High-Lite light unit including tubes
- Bio filter including pump and filtermedia
- heater
Volume: approx. 180 Litres
Measurements: 92 x 41 x 55 cm
Equipment:
1 x High-Lite Light Unit 92 cm, 2 x 35 W
1 x Pump Set Bioflow 600
1 x Heater 200 Watt
...............................

Filer info here

http://www.juwel-aquarium.de/en/filter_full.htm

My tank got over chemicalised (word?) and half th fish died and the rest ended up with fin rot. I returned the fish and have now emptied my tank

My questions

# can I scrub my stones in boiling water and effectively sanitise them to use again? Yes, boil to be safe and reuse.

# Do I need to replace all the filter sponges? Or is just giving them a decent washing out going to do the trick? I would put the sponges with your rocks and boil. Just letting air dry may be OK too but be safe.

# when cleaning out the empty tank am I supposed to just use water? Or is a very low mix of a mild detergent and water ok? yes I realise this might make me sound like a grade A nincompoop and I suspect NO SOAP, EVER! Water and vinegar will b e fine. If you are feeling really scared, water and bleach. Rinse well, air dry completly, rinse again. Then use extra dechlorinator when you fill for the final time.

"NO SOAP FOOL" :duh:

is the answer.....jus checking ok :P


Once I have cleaned it all out and have stones in I have been told to just add some Tap water conditioner only (AQUA PLUS by NUTRAFIN), then populate the tank with plants only and wait and test for 2 weeks (Im gonna make that 4 to be safe) Use PRIME as your conditoner. It is way cheaper and works well. Read the sticky about cycling.

How am I doing? Any other pearls of wisdom Enjoy the hobby, start with inexpensive fish, reasearch them BEFORE buying and bring them home. Then get another part time job and get bigger tanks!
:)
Click to expand...
 
Bleach will not have any effect on soap residue, bleach is for biological sterilization. The best remedy for chemical pollution has always been dilution hence the phrase in HAMAT "the solution to pollution is dilution". Keep rinsing with tap water over and over until the PPM is so low it no longer matters. Id say for a tank that size empty it turn it on its tall end and use the garden hose sprayer and wash it out for about 5 minutes. Do the same to your ornaments and filter housing/hose but get rid of the sand and all the filter media (new).
 
bghill said:
Enjoy the hobby, start with inexpensive fish, reasearch them BEFORE buying and bring them home. Then get another part time job and get bigger tanks!
:)
Click to expand...


Already fantisizing about a 800L tank for the lounge and three 180's in 2 bedrooms and sunroom ME= :bowing: FISH heh
 
Last edited:
CWO4GUNNER said:
Keep rinsing with tap water over and over until the PPM is so low it no longer matters. Id say for a tank that size empty it turn it on its tall end and use the garden hose sprayer and wash it out for about 5 minutes. Do the same to your ornaments and filter housing/hose but get rid of the sand and all the filter media (new).
Click to expand...

Im in an apartment so the hose isnt an option, guess I'll just clean/wipe it out 3 times a day for a week or so should suffice?

I have another question. My tank has its filter inside and appears to be glued to the side/glass and can not be removed. However there is a big build up of green grime trapped between glass and side of the filter ...Wouldnt all the Fin Rot/bad things be trapped back there? :yuck:
 
Fin Rot is usually caused by poor water quality/keeping fish too cold, etc. Basically, anything that weakens the fishes' immune systems in order to allow the problem to begin. This is why folks are telling you to learn about cycling. I would also buy some test kits and use them religiously. I wouldn't worry about finrot affecting new fish IF you cycle properly (the process takes about a month), do regular cleaning, filter properly, and keep the fish at the correct temperature. I would continue with the cycling process on this tank and worry more about testing than I would about finrot -- the water quality is likely where your problems started.

Edit: The fact that no one told you this, either online or in your LFS, and allowed you to continue dumping in medications instead of telling you to buy some test kits, is really horrible. I'm glad you're here -- you'll see that this is fun and, if you do things right, sick fish are not a common occurance!

Edit again, cause I'm an Edit-er for sure: This is an awesome article on FW cycling. It can serve as additional info to the other one, already posted: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwestcycling.htm
 
CWO4GUNNER said:
Bleach will not have any effect on soap residue, bleach is for biological sterilization. The best remedy for chemical pollution has always been dilution hence the phrase in HAMAT "the solution to pollution is dilution". Keep rinsing with tap water over and over until the PPM is so low it no longer matters. Id say for a tank that size empty it turn it on its tall end and use the garden hose sprayer and wash it out for about 5 minutes. Do the same to your ornaments and filter housing/hose but get rid of the sand and all the filter media (new).
Click to expand...


I don't believe the O has a problem with soap..not per their post or other thread.
 
if your tank isn't too big, just stand it on it's end in the bathtub or shower and use a showerhead that is on a long hose. this is what i've done with tanks smaller than 55 gallons.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom