I searched for other threads related to this, but I couldn't seem to find any.
My fish died about two days ago. He was already floating in a QT container, so none of his remains are in the main, 5 gallon tank.
I have another Betta, but he's in a small, inadequate tank. I'd like to know how I go about transferring him to the new one. I had to remove the filter when my other fish was sick, so I'll already have to re-cycle. But is it okay if I empty all of the water, remove the gravel for cleaning, and thoroughly clean the tank (without soap, obviously)?
Yes, you can take everything out and clean it well.
Use hot water and maybe some vinegar to soak the decorations, let dry for a few days and reuse.
Best of luck with your future fish!
I'm gonna say this: Use hot water really hot water and vinegar regardless. I was told when I first started out after I lost my first two to clean the tanks out and everything in hot water and vinegar. It disinfects everything.
Take this with a grain of salt, but when I wash my tanks, i WASH them. I spray them down with CLR (possibly the most caustic evil substance on earth) scrub them with a scotch bright, spray them for several minutes with a hose, then scratch any stubborn spots off with a razor.
I avoid using chemicals in the gravel, but you need to wash gravel like there's no tomorrow! I'm talking 2 cups of it at a time in a strainer, and physically wash it with your hands until everything is out of it. I had some old gravel I recycled once and I thought I had washed it well, i was wrong! Every time I vacced my gravel I got chunks of crap from it and it caused a bloom of bacteria in my tank! I had to level everything and start again. Your best friends when washing a tank are your garden hose, scotch bright, and so long as it's glass a pack of box cutter razors (it's way easier to get these than the old style razors but they work too). It makes life so much easier than trying to wash it in a tub or a sink.
I absolutely love that Brian has a crap load of dedication when cleaning a tank ^.^ The only thing I think would vary is a scotch bright. The reason why, is because I'm sure it would depend on the tank you're using. I used one for my 1.5g, which was plastic, and it scratched the hell out of it on the inside -.- And that's just asking for trouble when it comes to little particles of god knows what gunking up in places I won't be able to really get.. I have a 5g, which is acryllic, so I know it scratches easily, too.... I think if you have something that isn't glass, you should go with something that scrubs, but a bit less abrassive. I've been using a toothbrush on my acryllic and it seems to work out fantastically with no scratches! >.> but that is only my own opinion, I just felt I should throw that in there...
YES for sure, no scotch bright for acrylic/plastic! I've made that mistake in the past. I suppose I should have put it and the razor under the glass only warning . Toothbrush is a great idea, I don't have any plastic tanks, haven't for a while now so I forget about these things from time to time.
you can also wash and dissinfect everything with bleach diluted in water...however it is critical, to soak everything washed in bleach, submerged in water mixed with PRIME. Prime is a heavy metal de-chlorinator sold at local fish stores and probably petco.
that being said i always replace the gravel and filter media and never attempt to dissinfect. not that it cant be done just i never had the confidence it could be done effectively.
if you decide to tear the tank down...java fern is pretty hardy stuff. you could pull it, toss it in a bucket of tap water, dechlorinated for a couple of days and just re-plant it. should do just fine. before re-planting though sterilize the plants...
quoted from another forum;
[quote; DarkCobra- Planted Tank Forums]
"Bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and potassium permanganate have all been used as plant dips with varying degrees of success.
Concentrations and soak times vary. There isn't a perfect protocol - no dip will remove 100% of all hitchhikers and still be 100% safe for all plants.
I prefer hydrogen peroxide to the other two, as it's the least harmful if some of it gets into your tank. I use 1 part 3% (common drugstore) peroxide, 5 parts water. Soak for 4 minutes, stirring the plant around to make sure it all gets exposed."
you can also use bleach at 20:1 ratio i think it is. then re-dip the plants in fresh water de-chlorinated with Prime before putting back in tank.
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