Advice Please

[westonsupermanc]

I did a water change in my 64l tank as I had to move it to make way for my large tank coming in. Anyway I took out about 80% of the water to move the tank and had to put about half of that dirty water back in and filled up with treated tap water. I have lost 4 fish in 2 days and wondered if it was the dirty water. Or could it be the plastic plants I pulled out and with very little bleach cleaned them and after thoroughly rinsing them put them back. But now to the real question my girlfriend tonight admitted she used small amounts of blu tack to stick back plastic leaves that had come loose so is blu tack poisonous to fish. Looking on a web site it says at 93 degrees it can give off toxic fumes but under that is safe but is it. any ideas please? Because I love her being involved but don't want to upset her by saying she has made a bad mistake

Says at 93 degrees can release Carbon Dioxide Carbon Monoxide Water Vapour Oxides of Nitrogen and Toxic Fumes
 
This is from the website but as the tank temperature is 78 degrees I am wondering if it is still causing a toxic reaction

 

[guppy2002]

Your tank has to be REALLY dirty to have fish actually die. You would be surprised at how dirty a tank can get without you noticINg. Don't know about the blue tack tho.

 

[lrhodes]

I don't know what blu tack is... but it doesn't sound good with a warning label like that. Your tank may not be that warm, but it is filled with water... so... idk.

 

[DogFish212463]

I'd remove the items with Blu Tack on them, allow them to dry completely, and do a bit more research on it (I'm a sucker for research, if it can be done, I will do it). I can't find anything but that warning about the Blu Tack, I've never seen it or heard of it before. As for the fish, sorry for your losses. I dount the dirty water would have had that much of an impact. The only other thing I can think of, was your tap water properly treated?

 

[Rak9378]

This is the stuff you're talking about right?

http/www.blutack.com

If so its interesting that in the FAQ section it talks about no harm being done if a child swallows the stuff!! But at the same time if you do a google search you will find other forums where people asked if the stuff is ok to use in an aquarium and I couldn't find anything that would indicate it is safe.

Generally I wouldn't put anything in my aquarium unless it is specifically says aquarium safe or it is widely known to be safe (ex Krylon Spray Paint). That said I'm wondering if it wasn't something else that caused the fish to die. Have you tested your water parameters? You mentioned using bleach to clean the decorations is it possible that there was still some residual bleach left? Also did you leave the fish in the tank after removing 80% of the water and if so for how long? As DogFish mentioned are you sure the tap water you added was properly treated? Sorry for all the questions but seems like there are a few things that could have caused your problem so some additional info would help.

 

[Wildbetta]

When you cleaned the plants with bleach and rinsed them off, did you do so in heavily declorinated water?  The best approach with anything you bleach is to soak in water with at least double the amount of declorinator which will break down any remaining bleach left on the item after rinsing as water does not always remove all the bleach residue.  Although I really do not know much about the "blue tack" and that might have been an issue, I suspect it is bleach residue left on the plants you cleaned.
 
I just read that website posted above and I really do believe that it is something other than that product.  One of the household uses for this product is for positioning scenery in fish tanks which to me is stating that it should be fine to use in your tank.

 

[Rak9378]

I just read that website posted above and I really do believe that it is something other than that product.  One of the household uses for this product is for positioning scenery in fish tanks which to me is stating that it should be fine to use in your tank.

Nice catch! I didn't even notice that!

 

[westonsupermanc]

Thanks for the tips I only left them in the dirty water for maybe 30 mins till the filter kicked in but will do another water change as I have come home to another molly dead gutted. the water seems very warm too yet the thermostat says 78 degreees not sure I trust these plastic thermometers. Last night noticed 6 fry swimming at the top with an angel positioned underneath waiting for  a snack but managed to get them all out to the baby tank. Will post post water quality soon

 

[Rak9378]

Sorry you lost another. when you say dirty water what is that you mean? Are you just referring to the old tank water or something else? Adding back the old tank water shouldn't have been an issue unless your parameters were already out of whack.

 

[westonsupermanc]

Yes the old tank water it was filthy done a water change tonight and the filter was caked up not surprised really and found another baby. Just hope it stops the rot cos you always feel it is something you are doing wrong

 

[Rak9378]

Got it. Were you able to test the water?