jn Posted November 28, 2007 Report Share Posted November 28, 2007 Hi all, Have moved my last goldfish 'bubbas' out to the pond and now have an tank free to put some pregnant livebearers in in hopes of saving some fry. I can't be bothered stripping it (but will do if that's my only practical solution). How long would it take (assuming temps of around 20-21), to make sure any risk of contamination was gone? (I mean flukes, hex etc) Goldfish weren't really showing any signs but being that this will be a fry tank I want to be sure it's as good as it gets. I know the filter bacteria will start to die off as well but I'm only looking at putting 4 small fish in a 30L well planted tank. I can start some filter media in the tank that they will be coming from. (You know... I think I've already convinced myself stripping it will be more practical..I don't have a spare heater to raise the temp right up high.. just can't be bothered making a mess!!) Let me know anyway.. how long would something like hex hang around? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfish Posted November 28, 2007 Report Share Posted November 28, 2007 Can't answer your question... but I'd fully clean it out! say that has I have just lost a 40+ fry because something has contaminated the tank. NOT a happy lady....... I have now fully cleaned tank!! though only fry I have left is my ones outside in a plastic trough in the sun. (which I think I'll keep there as there ok) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jn Posted November 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2007 Oh Newfish Sorry to hear that.. This is exactly what I'm trying to avoid. Strip down it is. I just hate getting everything wet!! :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK Posted November 28, 2007 Report Share Posted November 28, 2007 Formulin will clean it out real quick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tHEcONCH Posted November 28, 2007 Report Share Posted November 28, 2007 Just use salt and water to clean everything, then give it a good soak / rinse / squirt with the hose. Leave it in the sun to dry, and hey presto. Safe and easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jn Posted November 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2007 Sounds good... will do. My main problem is that the other half hates me tipping water down the sink (wasteful)! He always insists I find a useful place to pour it (usually some otherwise neglected plant in the yard!) I think I need to put some water hungry plant outside the window where my tanks are! That would save me 'traipsing' through the house and garden with every damned bucket of water!! Grrr..... (Don't get me wrong.. I'm all for conserving water...but it can be a little inconvenient!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tHEcONCH Posted November 28, 2007 Report Share Posted November 28, 2007 Salt water will kill your plants! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 28, 2007 Report Share Posted November 28, 2007 Goldfish carry a lot of parasites and I would not put other fish into a tank that has had them in without sterilizing everything. Salt will clean the tank but I would boil everything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jn Posted November 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2007 Yes.. water with salt or meds don't go onto any plants...in those cases it gets tipped onto the gravel driveway (don't want the meds in my septic tankeither !!).. usually plenty of weeds I can try to kill in the driveway! But the water I emtpy from the tank before I clean it will need to 'go to a good home'. Alan, the tank had been treated for flukes and also with some wunder cure so hopefully there won't be too much still alive in there anyway... its going to get fresh filter wool and I suppose I can boil the gravel... What about the ceramic noodles and coarse sponge? I could 'salt and sun' them and/or I do have some PP I could use. And what about the pump and filter tubes then? I suppose whatever I decide to use I can do everything together in one bucket ('cept the gravel) .. so bleach or salt or PP? The plants are pretty wasted in there anyway so it'll get a fresh sterilised lot of cuttings from the other tank. I am repeating 100 times.. 'I will never keep another goldfish inside'. :roll: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 28, 2007 Report Share Posted November 28, 2007 Any of the above would be OK if you rinse it well afterwards. You realy have to start again with the filter material if you want to be safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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