Starting Over

[djm123]

I had a 46 Bow tank with Africians in it . The tank developed major problems after running for years, my last fish died about 2 weeks ago. At the moment I have about 75 pct of the gravel out and will wash it. In addition, I have hmmm maybe HALF of the water out..Would you think this is sufficient washing the gravel that I have out and refilling with new water without taking all the gravel and water out. ? This was a very difficult thing to control. I had the tank many years and it became frustrating..I hope to get it running again.

 

[Assaye]

I had a 46 Bow tank with Africians in it . The tank developed major problems after running for years, my last fish died about 2 weeks ago. At the moment I have about 75 pct of the gravel out and will wash it. In addition, I have hmmm maybe HALF of the water out..Would you think this is sufficient washing the gravel that I have out and refilling with new water without taking all the gravel and water out. ? This was a very difficult thing to control. I had the tank many years and it became frustrating..I hope to get it running again.

I would do a full tear down and set it up fresh, especially as you say you've had problems with it.

I would actually fill it up with water and add a mild bleech solution. Clean the gravel in that water and leave it all to soak for a day. Empty it and rinse everything very carefully. Leave everything to dry for a few days. Re-fill with water and add a huge dose of water conditioner to nutralize any remaining bleech. Leave to soak for a few more days and then empty and re-fill with fresh water and a normal dose of water conditioner. Cycle the filter from scratch with new filter pads (using a fishless cycle, see here) and it'll be ready for fish.