Emergency! Can I Do A Complete H20 Change?

[fishyinillinois]

We returned from vacation tonight and found that the woman who was taking care of our house took it upon herself to clean our 20-gallon aquarium. She told my girlfriend over the phone that she'd just changed water. Well... The water that was crystal clear when we left is now yellow (looks like a toilet bowl pre-flush) and has a chemical smell, with numerous soap-like bubbles on top--bubbles from the aerator aren't going away, they're just floating. White feather-like things, almost like down, were floating in the water. The heater tube is cracked and filled with tank water, so I removed the heater and will replace first thing in the morning. Not sure exactly what chemicals she added, but I found something called Parasite Clear with what appears to be Alka Seltzer like tablets. Four of the eight are missing, which according to the directions on the package means she put in twice the recommended number. There is also a bottle of something called No More Algae. Judging from how much is missing, she put in at least twice the recommended amount. Finally, there is a yellow powder called Fungus Eliminator by Jungle Laboratories. It started out as a 2.5 ounce bottle, and most of it is gone. I'm guessing this is what has turned the water yellow. I have no idea how much water conditioner she added--instead of using our aged water, she drew directly from the tap. And we don't know how much water she replaced. She did this two days ago.

To say we're furious is an understatement, but what's done is done. It's a community tank with neons, lemon tetras, a snail, and a bunch of other fish I don't know the names of (we've only had the tank since February and are new at this). The swordtails were listless on the bottom when we got home. We've since changed the filter cartridge and about 20 percent of the water and all the fish, miraculously, don't appear in much stress now. Which is the only bit of good news in all this.

Aside from getting the new heater, I'm at a total loss on what to do. I'm not sure how much more water we should replace given that it's more likely than not that half the water has been replaced now in the past three days. The new filter cartridge doesn't appear to be clearing the yellow from the water. Any recommendations/suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[-germ-]

Tired so keeping it simple;
1)Adding a carbon/charcoal pad to your filter should clear out the meds.
2)Unless there are other issues performing more water changes shouldn't be a problem, just make sure you don't stress the fish. Say you want to do 100% try doing a 50% leaving the tank for a couple of hours, do another 50% and perform a third 50% after the same period of time. This should minimise stress while keeping your water clean.
3)If you have replaced all the filter media (sponges etc.) your tank will now have to undergo a cycle, if you need this process explaining then just ask. Basically it can pose a health risk to your fish. Especially if their health has suffered already. Try this post for a simple explanation;
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?s=&amp...t&p=1740105

 

[fishyinillinois]

Tired so keeping it simple;
1)Adding a carbon/charcoal pad to your filter should clear out the meds.
2)Unless there are other issues performing more water changes shouldn't be a problem, just make sure you don't stress the fish. Say you want to do 100% try doing a 50% leaving the tank for a couple of hours, do another 50% and perform a third 50% after the same period of time. This should minimise stress while keeping your water clean.
3)If you have replaced all the filter media (sponges etc.) your tank will now have to undergo a cycle, if you need this process explaining then just ask. Basically it can pose a health risk to your fish. Especially if their health has suffered already. Try this post for a simple explanation;
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?s=&amp...t&p=1740105

The filter we changed has charcoal in it. The fish are definitely stressed--although the swordtails aren't listless anymore, they're swimming real energetically, much more so than normal. Read the cycle post. When we first set the tank up, we put in five hardy fish (zebra something-or-other, as I recall) and left them there for a month or so to get the tank water right. None died. Is that what you're talking about? So far, the charcoal filter hasn't been taking much yellow out, but it's only been a couple hours. Thanks for the help.

 

[merry78]

keep up with your water changes, the cycle you did with the Zebras will now be un-done if you have changed all of your filter sponges in one go.....
Three times per day, 20-50% water changes should keep you safe until your tank is re- cycled. (can be measured with liquid test kits for ammonium, nitrite and nitrate, which was probably explained in the cycling thread you read....basically, until you have 0 ammo, 0 nitirite, and some nitrate - <20 ppm).
Water changes!!!!!!!
you must be very frustrated, but regular fresh water will get your fish through. (i hope).
best of luck, merry.

 

[fourthtimelucky]

Grrr, I'm annoyed on your behalf!!!
Hope you can get your fishes through this. If you know anyone else who has a fishtank, borrowing a bit of their old (i.e. used and grungy) filter media would help re-establish your bacteria population more rapidly.
Good luck!

 

[ICEEGRL]

If I were you I would call her and ask her exactly what she did to your tank so you will know for sure. Then I would ask her why she did it.There could be some information there that you need to know. More may have happened than just what you see evidence of.
I hope the water changes work.

 

[fishyinillinois]

If I were you I would call her and ask her exactly what she did to your tank so you will know for sure. Then I would ask her why she did it.There could be some information there that you need to know. More may have happened than just what you see evidence of.
I hope the water changes work.

Thanks, all, for the help and advice. I'm off to the pet store for a new heater and to get the water tested--twelve hours after arrival home, it still looks yellow and brackish. We'll definitely be doing 20 percent changes or so for the foreseeable future, as much as the fish can stand. My girlfriend called the woman this morning and she insists she did nothing wrong and that the tank will clear itself. Getting her to say exactly what she'd done proved impossible. Then my girlfriend went outside and discovered that the hose has been running in the backyard for who knows how long. I've also found that the enclosure for my bearded dragon has been entirely re-arranged so that the lizard no longer has places to get out of the heat or properly bask.

ARGGHH!!!

Truly the housesitter from hell. At least she didn't decide to do some home-improvement projects...