starting again :(

[CFC]

Once a tank has ich it will never, never be gone. also any fish that has been cured of ich will be a carrier of the disease and may infect any new tank mates.

Thats not entirely true, there is a way to rid your tank of ALL water born parasites including ICH by adding a UV steriliser to the filtration system. I would recomend a UV steriliser to anyone who doesnt mind spending a little extra cash to prevent diseases in the first place rather than spending the cash later down the line on medications. I run UV's on my two larger tanks and have never had a case of ICH or any other disease, the UV also prevents the spread of algea.

 

[Aquascaper]

I have a UV lamp that shines into my filter chamber which helps to cut donw micro-thingies It's not the real deal but it was just lying around so I used it

Wolf, I really wouldn't bother going to all the trouble of cleaning the sand. IMO it would be easier and more cost effective to bin the old lot and buy fresh stuff, especially when it's only about £4 for 25kg

 

[Nidge]

Hi Wolf,

I would also do as others said and completely strip the tank and sterlise everything,
I would also try and find the cause of all the ailments before setting back up again otherwise the same will happen all over again.

Good luck

 

[The-Wolf]

I think I have found the problem
This is the first time I have taken the lid off the tank since i've had it.

This is leaking rust into the tank.
So now i need ideas on what to paint this lid with or I think I'll buy a new one.

 

[CFC]

Id just get a new one, any paint that is strong enough to stop the rust is going to be even more toxic to the fish. I cant believe anyone would make a lid to a fish tank out of a ferrous metal, are you sure the tank is intended for fish use? Often the tanks used for insects and reptiles have metal lids and these may not have been made with aquarium safe silicon.

 

[The-Wolf]

I belive the lid was used as a vivarium lid and not an aquarium lid.
Anyway money goes in bank on tuesday and I'll get a new lid.

 

[enchanted]

If you want to save the hood buy rust remover. Sook it in rust remove and scrub it, also pull all the paint off so you can make sure to get "All the rust".

The by Marine safe paint that will work on metal and repaint it. My guess is that is either a really old hood (as I haven't seen one like that since I was about 5 and my parents had a 55G). Most likely the paint has chipped and flaked and someone repainted it w/ a wrong type of paint. That could be a good portion of your problems, not just the rust, but if they repainted with a non-marine paint that flaked off into the water and dissolved.

 

[canarsie11]

Now that you know the problem, you can now get your tank back in order!

Keep us posted

 

[The-Wolf]

I stripped everything down today, so after many hours of cleaning
I'm knackered.
I'll re fill tomorrow and start the process off.

 

[canarsie11]

Good Luck.

Your hard work will pay off!

 

[The-Wolf]

I've had a thought and come to this conclusion;
now is the ideal time to sell it to make way for a bigger tank
anyone want to buy it are welcome to bid on my auction
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...item=4328333805