Wonky Steve And The Fish-tank!

[SteveS]

I have had my tank for about 2 years now. I've managed to bumble along without any major problems, apart from more algae than I would like, until recently.

For about the last 5-6 weeks I have been suffering from an illness that made my brain wonky, culminating in 10 days hospitalisation on IV antibiotics. Upon my release, brain now non-wonky, I have discovered I have, amongst other stupid things, neglected my fish tank and most of the inhabitants have, sadly, perished!

My problem is, What do I do next? My first instinct was to rush in and do a whopping 90+% change, but my non-wonkiness suggests that a gradual refresh of the water would be more beneficial, so I settled for a 20-25% change; My plans are to continue with this daily for the next week or so, gradually cleaning the tank and tidying up the plants and taking a census of the survivors as I go.

Is this sound? Any other ideas?

 

[fluttermoth]

to the forums, and I'm glad you're out of hospital and feeling better; you're more important than any fish

It would be a good idea to get your water tested. If you don't have test kits of your own (which all fishkeepers really should have, tbh) then most LFS (local fish shops) will test it for you, but get them to write down the actual numbers. They do have a habit of saying things like, 'a little high' or 'fine', which is really of no help, to you or us!

Apart from that your plan sounds good. It is true that very large water changes can be damaging in very neglected (and I'm not, in any way blaming you, these things happen!) set ups as the fish will have got used to the poor water and a drastic change in parameters is nearly always very harmful.

You sound like you know what you're doing but, just in case, I will mention that you should be very careful cleaning your filter, which will probably be quite clogged. Don't wash it in tap water, and don't replace any of the media inside it; just clean it gently in some old tank water. Hope you don't feel offended if you know all that already, but it's better off being said

 

[delta]

Hello there. I can't add anything to what Fluttermouth has said, just wanted to say welcome and glad you are over what ever it was that ailed you.

 

[SteveS]

to the forums, and I'm glad you're out of hospital and feeling better; you're more important than any fish

It would be a good idea to get your water tested. If you don't have test kits of your own (which all fishkeepers really should have, tbh) then most LFS (local fish shops) will test it for you, but get them to write down the actual numbers. They do have a habit of saying things like, 'a little high' or 'fine', which is really of no help, to you or us!

Apart from that your plan sounds good. It is true that very large water changes can be damaging in very neglected (and I'm not, in any way blaming you, these things happen!) set ups as the fish will have got used to the poor water and a drastic change in parameters is nearly always very harmful.

You sound like you know what you're doing but, just in case, I will mention that you should be very careful cleaning your filter, which will probably be quite clogged. Don't wash it in tap water, and don't replace any of the media inside it; just clean it gently in some old tank water. Hope you don't feel offended if you know all that already, but it's better off being said

Thanks for your reply and no offence taken. I have tested the water (Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 1,000,000,001 (well it's way off the top the chart anyway) I am familiar with how to clean the filter, but it raises the question of when do I clean the filter? It's obviously coping, should I apply the "if it ain't broke" principle and leave it till later or should I clean it now?

 

[fluttermoth]

Sorry, I laughed a bit at your nitrate result

I'd have a look at the filter and maybe give the media a very brief clean, but if the flow hasn't dropped off too much then don't worry about it.