is it time to break down my tank and euthanize?

[inkyjenn]

i think youll be safe bleaching or using peroxide in your gravel (peroxide wont hurt your fish if a little is left behind).

there are a lot of options for spare quarantine tanks. you dont have to actually have a tank. i know a lot of you guys are on budgets. heres a good solution. rubbermaid tubs come in good sizes and are CHEAP. i bought 2 18 gallon tubs for i think $4 each at walmart. you have to look out for the ones with the antimicrobial stuff in them, but those tend to be a bit more expensive, so just read the labels. you can keep spare media in an existing filter or even just floating in your tank. keep a spare filter around and voila, instant hospital tank. it is very important to quarantine new fish. an absolute minimum amount of time to quarantine should be 2 weeks. 4 weeks is pretty normal. anything they might have will most likely show up in that time.

 

[kendrid]

Its a tough decision but honestly. I would break it all down clean it let it dry a day or two. Then start your cycle over using seachem stability. You can cycle it in a week no gimmicks it worked like a charm for me. Best of luck sorry to hear about your troubles.

Stability cycled my tank in one week also. If you have to start over it's worth it IMO.

 

[fishorama]

I'm sorry angyles, it's a tough decision. I have a tank with chronic columnaris & I ALWAYS quarantine. I'm now trying a UV filter & hoping the aging rasboras are the only victims. I've lost 1 or 2 a month or more apart, actually euthanized at the first sign.

Bleach would be my choice for equipment, the chlorine outgases pretty quick & a heavy dose of dechlor after rinsing will get rid of any remainder.

Plants are another story. I've done 20:1 bleach but delicate, thin leaved plants were hit hard. I haven't tried peroxide or permanganate.

Good luck.

 

[punch1]

If You Choose the most extreme activity

Most, if not all, of us have had to make the ultimate decision. Your thought process, like mine places prriority to the emotion and dedication that we promised ourselves to each aquapup responsibility.

Your situation comes down to - how sure you are that the whole changeover process will not create a hopeless condition of suffering. As well; Do ou feel certain that you have planned out the process to maintain their stability in a clean and healthy environment while you make this dramatic renovation - only you can answer that -

The hardest thing - over 35 years and no less emotional each time, is for me to clear my thoughts just long enough; simply ask a question at each juncture -

why I hesitate - is it from my own selfish stubborn pride that makes me want to believe that in this day and age of products and cures I will win this fight - and thereby not accepting nature is in control - ???
If I answer yes to that question vs what is the best interest of the animal - then I know it is that time my puppy to rest.

Know one thing; the mere fact that this is, obviously , killing you deep inside is a testament to your dedication and responsible character. No one here, unless clueless or without a sole, would entertain the notion that you had even one milligram of cruelty within you (infact - chosing the interests of the animals needs over your alternative feelings of loss - if you chose to send them on their way to Rainbow Bridge.

May I suggest that, if you decide to take that action. to have on hand the product as enclosed - there are many different opinions and claimed ways people may swear by to place these pups to final rest - but in studying the chemical process within the animal's body as in its activity and, when called upon, the way in which the animal has - slowly , dropped into a coma like state until its death - it seems to be a very painless and humane treatment process which has never failed me when called upon.

And yes; I am a grown man that still cries over a loss and have always buried my pets.

Emotion is nothing of embarassment - as maybe a little more feeling and responsibility in the world - as you obviously have - would go a long way to make this world a better place - never apologize for experiencing the turmoil and fustration such emotional ties are bring to you. The ones that should apoligize are those that are void of such feelings of emotion and dedication....

the product

 

[Dekk]

Ive had to make this decision before when I had a serious case of Ich. As I was treating for the disease with salt+heat+commercial meds, it took a really long time to get rid of it, like 2 weeks all together, and doing 25% water changes everyday was getting tiresome. In the process my fish weren't eating so if Ich wasn't going to kill them, starvation would. I lost 5 neon tetras in the process, but 5 lived (dont know how) so im glad I didn't just ditch the whole project. I still have those 5 neon tetras and I think they're stronger now after living through all that.

 

[angyles]

Well I did some work on the tank last night. I went ahead and euthanized two of the DTs. I'm still torn on the others, but I'm afraid that if I go to all the work of disinfecting the tank and then keep them, it'll start over again and any new fish will fall ill. And on top of all this, the extended medication and aquarium salt has caused my plants to go to hell! half of them melted and had to be thrown out. I think I'm going to do the break down this weekend though. I have a 30G and a 20G that I can put the healthy fish into while I do it.