Help my sand poisoned my fish

[JuiceBox52]

I see you originally did not get Quikrite sand.

Why would you get another brand of sand that you knew wasn’t 100% safe for your fish?

I got sakrete play sand, which everything I read said was the same and just as safe, but nope!

 

[Aussie_Bristle]

Argh Juice so sorry to hear hun. I’ve always just stuck with plain old river sand and had no problems at all.

 

[Martyn87]

I'm not convinced it's the sand. How did you take out your old substrate? Did you suck it out right to the glass?

 

[JuiceBox52]

I'm not convinced it's the sand. How did you take out your old substrate? Did you suck it out right to the glass?

What do you mean suck it out to the glass?

I scooped it out with my net, as I was advised to
Could that have caused it? Why would the water become mud brown?

 

[Martyn87]

What do you mean suck it out to the glass?

I scooped it out with my net, as I was advised to
Could that have caused it? Why would the water become mud brown?

Anyone Use Sakrete Natural Play Sand?

Hubby has decided he wants sand for the bottom of his tank, so he picked up a bag of Sakrete natural play sand today. I know lots of people use play sand, but wasn't sure if this brand is fish safe or not. I'm in the process of cleaning it now but just thought I'd double check if its okay to use.

www.fishforums.net

I found this forum link from some time ago of another individual with the same issue. Did you siphon out your old gravel? I assume as you netted it you didn't and that the tank was drained? Otherwise you will have agitated all the potentially harmful bacteria in the substrate.

I'd wait and see if it clears and do water changes. Then test water again. Your going to need to test hardness to see if its leaching which will be an issue if youre from a soft water area.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Anyone Use Sakrete Natural Play Sand?

Hubby has decided he wants sand for the bottom of his tank, so he picked up a bag of Sakrete natural play sand today. I know lots of people use play sand, but wasn't sure if this brand is fish safe or not. I'm in the process of cleaning it now but just thought I'd double check if its okay to use.

www.fishforums.net

I found this forum link from some time ago of another individual with the same issue. Did you siphon out your old gravel? I assume as you netted it you didn't and that the tank was drained? Otherwise you will have agitated all the potentially harmful bacteria in the substrate.

I'd wait and see if it clears and do water changes. Then test water again. Your going to need to test hardness to see if its leaching which will be an issue if youre from a soft water area.

Thank you I vacuumed the gravel thoroughly they day before I removed it and the day of. I drained the tank halfway just so it was easier to reach. Then I just scooped it out with a net. The fish remained in the tank during that process

 

[JuiceBox52]

Yes I do live in a soft water area.

 

[Byron]

Thank you I vacuumed the gravel thoroughly they day before I removed it and the day of. I drained the tank halfway just so it was easier to reach. Then I just scooped it out with a net. The fish remained in the tank during that process

This may be getting at the problem. I know some on here advise changing substrate with fish in the tank, but that should never be done when it involves the entire substrate.

The substrate (whatever material, gravel or sand) is home to a thriving host of various bacteria species. There are aerobic and anaerobic. Both are needed. Disturbing the aerobic areas, like you would with regular siphon cleaning, is not going to cause issues. Disturbing the anaerobic zones can be deadly. I know, I have done it (not with fish in the tank). The black gunk is smelly to say the least. I would never do this with fish in the tank. All areas under rock, wood, other decor tend to be anaerobic. Any areas you never get to will also likely be anaerobic.

 

[JuiceBox52]

This may be getting at the problem. I know some on here advise changing substrate with fish in the tank, but that should never be done when it involves the entire substrate.

The substrate (whatever material, gravel or sand) is home to a thriving host of various bacteria species. There are aerobic and anaerobic. Both are needed. Disturbing the aerobic areas, like you would with regular siphon cleaning, is not going to cause issues. Disturbing the anaerobic zones can be deadly. I know, I have done it (not with fish in the tank). The black gunk is smelly to say the least. I would never do this with fish in the tank. All areas under rock, wood, other decor tend to be anaerobic. Any areas you never get to will also likely be anaerobic.

So do you think I should rinse the gravel more, add it back in, fill the tank, test the water and see of it's safe?

 

[Byron]

So do you think I should rinse the gravel more, add it back in, fill the tank, test the water and see of it's safe?

Gravel, or sand? Presumably the fish are now out of the tank, in temporary quarters, so I would drain the tank, remove all of the new sand into a bucket, and rinse it under the tap, four or five rinsings of each batch of sand. Do a thorough cleaning of the tank interior. You can use tap water, just do a good job of it. Thoroughly dry the tank, then add the rinsed sand.

Some might advise a weak bleach/water solution, and that is OK for the tank (but not for sand or gravel) provided you thoroughly rinse it more than once, and then let it completely air dry before putting the rinsed sand back in.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Thank you so much @Byron and @Martyn87 ! I really hope that is the case!

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I did. I washed it 40+ times. Added it to the tank. Drained 75% of the water. Filled it up. Suddenly became mud colored. Next morning color was no better. Did 2 more 75% changes. Fish were obviously sick so I removed them and put them in freshwater. Did one more water change, the color didnt improve hardly at all so drained it

I suggest next time you get a different brand a sand, you ask us. That way you can get lots of different opinions and information.

Are your fish doing ok?

 

[JuiceBox52]

I suggest next time you get a different brand a sand, you ask us. That way you can get lots of different opinions and information.

Are your fish doing ok?

One snail died, the rest are pale but alive.
I think it is what byron said, from the gravel

 

[FishGuest5123]

This may be getting at the problem. I know some on here advise changing substrate with fish in the tank, but that should never be done when it involves the entire substrate.

The substrate (whatever material, gravel or sand) is home to a thriving host of various bacteria species. There are aerobic and anaerobic. Both are needed. Disturbing the aerobic areas, like you would with regular siphon cleaning, is not going to cause issues. Disturbing the anaerobic zones can be deadly. I know, I have done it (not with fish in the tank). The black gunk is smelly to say the least. I would never do this with fish in the tank. All areas under rock, wood, other decor tend to be anaerobic. Any areas you never get to will also likely be anaerobic.

I agree. So sorry but fish should have been moved. That may be the problem. Too much sand in the gills.

 

[JuiceBox52]

I agree. So sorry but fish should have been moved. That may be the problem. Too much sand in the gills.

Would the sand be the problem or the anaerobic areas?