How To Clean My Tank

[Timer]

I lost my 5 year old green terror cichlids and 8 year old Bala shark to what I believe was Ich. The fish would sit on the bottom of the tank, thier eyes became cloudy, and white junk formed on their skin. I did what I thought was best, bought a couple different 'cures' from Petco, changed the water daily, new filter medium, ect. Unfortunately, they all eventually died. I believe the introduction of the illness was due 2 new algea eaters I purchase a week or so earlier.

Now I am starting fresh, how do I ensure the disease is not going to reappear in the new setup? I trashed all the plant material, gravel, and rock formations. The tank sat empty for a few days and now has been filled and emptied twice since. I cleaned the filter, heater, and thermometer with HOT water.

Should I do anything else? Thanks for the help.

 

[tttnjfttt]

I would steralize the tank and filter. Use a bleach solution, 1 part bleach to 20 parts water. If you use bleach, be sure to rinse everything very well, Afterwards, let your tank sit with an overdose of dechlorinator, as that will hlep remove any left over bleach.

I've also used a major overdose of clout to kill anything, and just left it sit in my tank over night.

 

[onemisterchristian]

How long was the tank setup before the addition of fish? Was it properly cycled? It could have been amonia poisoning. I'm sorry if you are well aware of these conditions. I'm just trying to help you out.

 

[Timer]

The tank had been set up for about 3 months with no problems. the Chinese aglea eater I had for a couple years suddenly died, I simply assumed that the Green terror's finally got to it. I will check the amonia levels before I add new fish.

 

[steelhealr]

Did you quarantine your new additions? All new tank additions should be quarantined for a minimum of two weeks..longer if possible? SH