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Tank Crash Help

2K views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  aquakid 
#1 ·
Well, I think it has happened to all hobbyists, but after I came back from my camp, my 5G tank was crashed.

Background:
5G Tank
6 Cardinal Tetras, 1 Neon Tetra (other died)
Whisper 10i filter
All live plants
Weekly WC's of 30-50%.
Temp kept at a constant 82-83F.

Smell was absolutley horrible, and one fish was rotting while snails were eating it. Uneaten food everywhere. I setup a 5G bucket (Home Depot one), took water from my 30G, and changed the Whisper filter cartridge, and put the filter, heater, a big bunch of Hornwort, and my hood with light on/in the bucket. I put the fish in there so they could get out of the mess. They will be there overnight at the least. Any suggestions as to what to do? Like, take all the water and driftwood out (tank is 1/2 full right now), keep the gravel wet, or just take everything out and redo a cycle? This is the first time I have experienced this, and any help would be great.
 
#3 ·
Thanks. Right now, I'm just hoping they will make it through the night.

Also, I *really* want to get the tank back up before Thursday, if that is possible. My family and I are going on vacation for 8 or 9 days. Is this possible to get it back up by then?
 
#4 ·
Were it me I would vaccum the bottom of tank and perform water changes of one to two gal. until ammonia levels are zero. Small tanks are very unforgiving of poor water quality. You mention uneaten food everywhere. How did that happen? I would replace filter and leave gravel in the tank. also leave any decorations that you can. Water changes will remove ammonia which I believe may have caused your problem. Use a dechlorinator. The gravel contains more beneficial bacteria than the water. The filter contains quite a bit as well but It will need to be replaced due to harmful crap collected there as well. I would probably rinse plants in dechlorinated water and leave them to soak for twenty four hours. Or you could just replace them.(probably better) I would also find someone I could trust to care for fish while you are away. Two or three small feedings during the time you will be away will hold the fish over until your return. :)
 
#5 ·
oh cody,that's awful.
is there any way for you to get some media from
perhaps the fish store,if you explain what has happened.
other wise i say the same as 1077.
 
#6 ·
1077, thanks so much. What I have done so far is replace the filter cartridge and put the actual filter in with the fish in the 5G bucket, take some plants out and leave them in a bucket of water, and vaccum some of the water out in the tank.

Uneaten food everywhere was probably from overfeeding. The Cards generally do not eat much, and on the bottom and on the driftwood, it looked like, almost a mold of uneaten food.

I will get on to that today. Lets hope I can get the tank back to normal ASAP.
 
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