Cleaning Tank (Diseased)

[Dennis-Pir]

I think I had a very bad case of Ich in my tank or maybe some other type of disease bacterial or parastic, that has killed off all my fish. I was wondering what was the best way to clean it. Should I get a new Filter? Should I get new gravel?

Is using bleach (at a minute concentration) work for cleaning all these things.

Also, I have live plants in there, could they be harbouring the disease as well..

I am posting this here and in the disease Forum....

Thanks for any help

I do plan on Cycling the tank once again before putting new fish in though

 

[geekrockgirl85]

if it was ich, i would keep the tank running... don't turn off the filter. up the temperature to about 86. continue putting food in the tank, which will create ammonia to keep your current cycle alive. without fish to live on, the ich will die off in a week or two.

if it was an infection... breaking down the tank and scrubbing is a viable option. however, i don't know if i would use bleach (maybe i'm being paranoid, but i worry about traces of the chemical remaining in the tank). plain old tap water should do the trick. the chlorination that is likely present is far more benign than bleach, and can be neutralized easily with dechlorinator when the time comes. hot water should be enough to take care of the gravel as well.

you don't need a new filter, and i don't believe your plants are carrying disease.

hope this helps.