I have a question regarding what to do with my tank sice my Betta fish died 2 weeks ago. It is a 5 gal tank, and I believe he died from a bacterial infection. He did not have ich, or dropsy, velvet or any other outward disease. He just stopped eating and would stay at the bottom of the tank gasping for air. I treated the tank with aquarium salt and Melafix, but It was too late. My son now wants a new Betta, but I want to make sure that the tank is clear of any disease. I haven't treated the tank since the fish died or changed the water. What would be the best way to make sure that the tank is ok for the next fish. I have heard about using bleach in the tank, but I'm not sure if I need to go that extreme. Any help would be appreciated.
Cleaning a tank after a fish has died
- Thread starter hghrlr
- Start date
Bleach is fine. Of course, make sure there's nothing living in the tank that you want to keep (other fish, plants, shrimps). I use a dilute bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) that I apply with a spray bottle. Rinse it out really well afterward, until the bleach smell is gone. Just to be safe, when you fill the tank back up, use adequate amounts of dechlorinator (aka tap water conditioner) as this will get rid of the bleach, which is a chlorine compound.
The bleach solution will work for the tank itself and decorations. For the gravel, you can just put it all into a bucket and soak it in bleach solution. Make sure you agitate, e.g. stir, the gravel really well to ensure bleach has penetrated all layers. You wouldn't want any bugs or parasites hiding in the spaces between gravel kernels
The bleach solution will work for the tank itself and decorations. For the gravel, you can just put it all into a bucket and soak it in bleach solution. Make sure you agitate, e.g. stir, the gravel really well to ensure bleach has penetrated all layers. You wouldn't want any bugs or parasites hiding in the spaces between gravel kernels
A little bleach goes a long way. The 1:10 ratio sounds about right. After using the bleach you may want to do a extra rinse with a dechlorinator, in addition to a water rinse.
How often did you do water changes? It is possible that it wasnt a disease and might of been bad water quality. You should not add Melafix unless you know why. It stress the fish more.