How Do I Sterilize My Java Moss

[Queen Bee]

I recently bought 2 killifish, java moss and a new tank. Got water from the lfs which they were keeping the fish in so they would stress out being in new water. 5 days later they are dead.

I don't want to throw out the java moss. It is fairly large and I would like to use it in my other tanks. I am worried that what ever killed the killifish may be in the java moss. What is the best way to clean it & make sure that it is safe to put in the other tanks? There is a small white spot on the moss. I thought it might be an egg. Not sure now and don't want to take chances of harming my other fish.

I am not going to rebuy the killifish. $20 for the pair and only 5 days of life. Any other suggestions for the tank? It is so beautiful. European style with a lid and light, filter. I spent a fortune on it and now I don't know what to do with it. It will have to be emptied and cleaned and recycled. Anyone have knowledge of fish that don't need to be in schools that would like this size tank? I already have 2 other betta tanks and would like to have something else in here. Dwarf puffers maybe??

 

[ollyhtafc]

Is it a new filter? If so that's probably why the fish died, not definately though.

If you don't want to use all the moss you could always just take a little bit, about an inch is enough and it'll all regrow given the right conditions.

 

[Queen Bee]

Is it a new filter? If so that's probably why the fish died, not definately though.

If you don't want to use all the moss you could always just take a little bit, about an inch is enough and it'll all regrow given the right conditions.

It was a new filter, but they really didn't like it and were freaking out. I removed it and put in an air stone. I think I messed up on cleaning the gravel. Never used coloured gravel before. I rinsed it very well, soaked it, and rinsed it more. When I tore down the tank, I had the gravel in a bucket and noticed the water was tinged black (I was using black gravel) I dumped the water and had a black residue around the water line on the bucket. Poured it out and soaked it several times yesterday, water is still slightly black. I think this is what killed the fish. Not only do I feel bad, I feel terribly stupid too.

Thanks for the moss advice.

 

[Schmill]

If you removed the filter that was a bad start, I'm afraid to say that an airstone will have been no replacement for proper filtration, and it won't have taken long for the toxins to build in the tank
The black residue you got could have been from gravel that wasn't washed enough, or it could also have been caused by over feeding / fish waste and the fact there was no filtration.

It would be worth you reading these two topics before thinking of setting the tank up again:

FISHLESS CYCLING

KNOW YOUR FILTER (MEDIA)