GGrrrrrr...fish!

[TabMorte]

Yeah! Use a chlorine based bleach. Then when you rince it off after you bleach it rince it in water with dechlorinator and let it soak in there for a while. I think Lotus had some suggestions about that on another thread... search 'bleach' and it should turn it up.

As for your plants I think they'd be fine. Worst comes to worse you could put them in the 20G while you're cleaning the 55... or you could transplant them to the new 75 you're getting I was wondering if filling the tank with water sans dechlorinator would kill all the bacteria, I know it won't hurt your plants. I've never tried it before though.

If you move them to another tank you can dip them in a weak chlorine bleach bath and then rinse them well in water with prime or what have you in it. I've done that with plants bought from stores before planting them.

Anyone out there who's done a whole tank detox before?

 

[LMarts]

Is Clorox ok..it is all I have at the moment. I can get something else if I have to. I thing I am going to have to scrap the plants in the 20G...the Silver Dollars have ravaged them. Funny, they never bothered the plants in the 55G..guess they are more bored in the 20G. You know it is just deceptive to sit here looking at the 55G. It looks so clean and clear. Not a speck of algea, no fuzzy things, not even any gunk on the gravel. Even the plants look great..all growing and pretty.

 

[TabMorte]

I don't know what's in Clorox sorry!
I just used some cheap no name stuff when I had to do it. Like I said I use chlorine based bleach then I can dechlorinate it after.

 

[Lotus]

Yes, if you're bleaching stuff, use the supermarket brand plain bleach.

A solution of white vinegar and water will also kill most nasties, and once rinsed, is safe for fish.

You can dip plants in a 10% bleach solution for 2 minutes (then rinse and dechlorinate). Then you won't have to throw them out.

If you leave decorations to dry, that will kill the bacteria, or you can use bleach or vinegar.

 

[LMarts]

What % for the vinegar and water?

 

[LMarts]

BTW, a quick update on the 20G inhabitants. Looks like all the hazy cataract looking spots on the Silver Dollars eyes are going away. Very thin layer now,, can even see through it now. The big guy's gills still don't look great..I'm betting that he has a good amount of scar tissue. But all the fuzzy stuff is gone! Just feel so bad about this, hate to see them suffer. As an aside, any one know how to get a huge Rafeal out of a rock? Don't think he is stuck, but I want to change out the rock to something i know he won't get stuck in.

 

[Lotus]

Just put in about 1/4 cup of vinegar.

I'd just pull up the rock and, if necessary, take it out over a bucket to get him out. We had to do that with some loaches, and even then, it was hard to get them out of the decoration.

 

[LMarts]

Just add 1/4 cup to the full 55G? I take the plants out first, right? Then what. You'll have to bear with me, I've never had to do this before. Last time I just got rid of the gravel too..was time for a change.

 

[Lotus]

I guess you could put more in the 55g. Yes, take out the plants, but you should dip them, too. Leave the vinegar in the tank for about half an hour, then drain the tank fully and refill.

 

[LMarts]

sigh...I repeat, this sucks! Alright, I'll try it after I put the boy to bed. Will let you know how it goes.

 

[LMarts]

Well, the tank is draining as we speak. It is just so damn sad to see. I hate the fact that I have to start this tank over again, but hopefully the fish will be happier, healthier, and live for frickin' ever!!! Without getting sick again!!

 

[LMarts]

So I refilled the tank and re tested the ammonia...which was off the charts even with the 2 water changes and no fish since Wednesday...and it is between 0.25-0.50ppm. This is after I sucked the tank dry and refilled. Didn't get any detris from the gravel when I drained the tank, but I did remove a few dead leave though. I guess we'll see how things go. Any suggestions as to when to put the QT fish back in the 55G?

 

[TabMorte]

I wish you luck LMart.

How long did you leave it dry for?

If you can get your hands on some Biospira which will help you cycle the tank quicker you can probably try moving them over soon as the tanks settled and you've tested all the water again. Just remember to take everything, the filter, and heater and what not, from the QT bucket with them into the 55 as it will also really help.

 

[LMarts]

Well, I went the vinegar route. My husband loathes the smell of bleach. And to be honest, I couldn't deal with his whinning about the smell last night. I then refilled the tank. No fish in there yet, I will retest the water today and see how things are going before I put the QT guys back. Yeah I have to call around and see if anyone has some Bio-Spira...otherwise I have to order it online. I am so over these fish being sick Sometimes makes me want to pack the whole thing in. My hubby isn't a big "pet" fan (grew up on a ranch with working animals that earned their keep :-/ ), and sometimes the remarks are just annoying. But when all is going well, I love to just watch the fish and relax.

 

[TabMorte]

I wouldn't order it online. It's important it be kept cold or the bacteria in it will die. If you can get some at a local pet store though that would rock.

I know it's hard. Your fish will be okay though and hopefully this is the last bump for a while.

 

[LMarts]

Yeah, I finally found a LFS that carries it. I really that that store though, they have two office kitties that they apparently don't clean up after enough...smells like ammonia and dirty litter. Just put the first pouch in, guess we'll see. First time I used it, Drs foster and smith got it here cold, but the shipping was outrageous!

 

[TabMorte]

It would be!

When you put the Biospira in I /think/ you need to put in an ammonia source to feed the bacteria. I can't remember!

Good Luck!

 

[LMarts]

There is still a trace of ammonia in the tank, so I think that should be enough. Thanks for the good luck vibes..I apparently need all that I can get

 

[LMarts]

Well, I put the Mollies and the Glofish back in the 55G this am. They are all alive right now..yeah!! For some reason, I went to work with a fatalistic attitude thinking that they would all br dead when I got home...happily I was wrong. They are all acting a bit funny though. The Mollies are back to hanging out up top by the filter and the heater, and the Glofish are hiding in the stump. Hopefully they will all settle down soon. The tank is a bit hazy right now, but I guess that is to be expected.
The 29G inhabitants...sigh. While I no longer see any fuzzy spots on them, the large Silver Dollar and 1 on the small ones, still have the cataract looking hazy on their eyes. Not sure what to do. I took all the fish out this afternoon,, did a 90% water change to get the meds and detris from the dying plants :-/ and put them back in. I put some carbon back in the filter to remove the rest of the meds. My question is, should I retreat them again or wait and see?
And how the H*LL do I get this stupid Rafeal out of the D*MN rock? I can't get his stupid butt out!! Tried leaving him in a bucket...didn't move.

 

[HAAA]

im no expert but i think you put the fish in way to early