What now? Completely cleaning a tank...

[sageautumn]

I read your other posts but couldn't get from them what exactly it was that killed your fish, except that you were not doing regular weekly water changes, sometimes going out to three weeks.

I posted before wondering how one would know when a fish was done for, and it was time to be humane. People seemed to think I was thinking of giving up fishkeeping.

At the time, I wasn't.
Now though... I'm thinking perhaps I should.

My life isn't condusive to doing weekly water changes. I do changes at 50-70% when I do them (which I think is proper), and I've always shot to do them bi-weekly. This usually translates to a week and a few days, about 65% of the time. The other 35% of the time, it translates to two weeks. In the past two and a half years, it has translated to about three weeks, less than ten times. (Perhaps I was overly honest...)

But now and then... it will be three weeks. More often than that, sometimes it will be two weeks. Not usually, but.. often enough.

I've never had issues with my fish dying, much less ALL of my fish dying... not even anything even close to this. I fully expected to be berated for not having a quarentine tank... I truly thought the two small fish I added about three or so weeks ago carried something in.

My readings have always been good... even at 3 weeks out, my nitrates spiked to about 30, but that's been the only issue.

To learn that not only am I doing it wrong, but my other tanks are also ... laying wait for this same scenerio to happen...

is disheartening to say the least.

 

[Virtuoso2K12]

it must have benn something with the water quality

 

[Coler]

My readings have always been good... even at 3 weeks out, my nitrates spiked to about 30, but that's been the only issue.

To learn that not only am I doing it wrong, but my other tanks are also ... laying wait for this same scenerio to happen...

is disheartening to say the least.

Nitrates at 30 wouldn't cause this kind of problem. Sorry I can't shed any more light on it.

 

[Marinemom]

I posted before wondering how one would know when a fish was done for, and it was time to be humane. People seemed to think I was thinking of giving up fishkeeping.

At the time, I wasn't.
Now though... I'm thinking perhaps I should.

My life isn't condusive to doing weekly water changes. I do changes at 50-70% when I do them (which I think is proper), and I've always shot to do them bi-weekly. This usually translates to a week and a few days, about 65% of the time. The other 35% of the time, it translates to two weeks. In the past two and a half years, it has translated to about three weeks, less than ten times. (Perhaps I was overly honest...)

But now and then... it will be three weeks. More often than that, sometimes it will be two weeks. Not usually, but.. often enough.

I've never had issues with my fish dying, much less ALL of my fish dying... not even anything even close to this. I fully expected to be berated for not having a quarentine tank... I truly thought the two small fish I added about three or so weeks ago carried something in.

My readings have always been good... even at 3 weeks out, my nitrates spiked to about 30, but that's been the only issue.

To learn that not only am I doing it wrong, but my other tanks are also ... laying wait for this same scenerio to happen...

is disheartening to say the least.

If you have a system and it is working for you, who am I to say it is wrong or something terrible is going to happen to your tanks? It is when something goes wrong and fish start dying and you ask questions that it is necessary to examine everything and determine what is best for your fish and you. I certainly would not be ready to throw in the towel based on what a few people are saying here on the boards. I am sure there is a way to get past the latest event or events. If you think tearing down the tank and starting over again and re-cycling the tank is the way to go, then do that. However, if you are going to use bleach, then use one part bleach to twenty parts water. Make sure to use bleach that has no other scents added, just straight bleach with decloranated water.in the solution of one part bleach to twenty parts water. When you rinse the bleach out make sure to keep rinsing until you cannot smell any more bleach.

Keep your chin up and do not get disheartened by what others are saying. They really are only trying to help. If you have any other questions then just ask.

Marinemom

 

[THE V]

Everybody has bad moments in keeping fish. I've sent way to many to a watery grave over the years.

As to sterilizing a tank 1/100 of bleach will effectively kill bacteria. 1/10 will kill bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The last time I sterilized my 15 gallon tank I drained 90% of the water. Added in the bleach. Splashed the water around the sides and tossed in all of the decorations. I then walked away and let it set for a couple of hours. Then I drained it the rest of the way and hauled it outside. I laid it on its side and used the garden hose to rinse for about 10 minutes. Then I set it back up, refilled it, tossed in triple dose of dechlor, took some media from my established tank, and added in fish. Didn't lose any and they all are doing great.