PICS! 20 long, dwarf compressiceps

[barrettsline]

One of the most enjoyable aspects of this hobby is that there is no single "right" way to go about it. There are a myriad of options from which we can all choose, from what kind of tank and fish we keep to how we choose to maintain them, as well as how we handle problems that arise. While there are a few things that are universally understood to be bad choices, such as using detergents and soaps, most things are simply options with no single right or wrong answer. We select among those options what best suits our needs at the time and change as our knowledge, experience, comfort level, and as our situations change.

What's most important is to share the large variety of options available so we can each learn from each other which will ultimately allow us to do what we each feel works best for us in our specific situations. To hamper that sharing of information would limit us all. The more we know, the more choices from which we can choose, the more we can make choices that work for each of us. We not only don't have to do the same things, but the fact that there are so many options is what makes this hobby so enjoyable for such a wide variety of people.

Complexity on this note I couldn't agree more. B, if nothing else, were here to make sure your problems go away and stay away!

[eklikewhoa]

Complexity is on point on several of their inputs. Doesn't leave much to add.

as for all the discussion about what's bad/good for a tank, There's tons of things in a household that'll wipe any tank clean so bleaching a running tank doesn't seem quite that horrible. I'd entertain that option any day actually when compared to the things out there that are MEANT for a tank in the terms of bandaging a problem like copper or the like.

I'd hit the bleach long before using copper but I see lots of people dump it in their tanks like nothing with live fish that have pretty much no problem and even hear others suggest things like that so I don't see much harm in anything being introduced to the tank.

[RonR.]

Everytime I drain a glass tank and am ready to refill with new substrate or start over, I bleach my tank. I don't use full strength. I add about 1/4 cup of bleach to a 5 gal bucket and use a cloth to wipe the tank sides and bottom down. I rinse the tank several times and let it air dry. Any chlorine that's left will evaporate.

I have also used CLR to get rid of lime/mineral stains on a glass tank. I do the same as above.

[Complexity]

I have also used CLR to get rid of lime/mineral stains on a glass tank. I do the same as above.

I've used CLR, too, but that's when I'm very careful. I also use a vinegar rinse when I'm done. I've done it for decades without a problem. I prefer to use vinegar over CLR, though.

[aquabee]

I found this discussion really interesting, since I have never had to use bleach before. I wanted to thank you all for the input and the teaching. :)

A quick update... both plecos have kicked the bucket, and I lost one white cloud (I had a feeling it would go anyway cuz it got really skinny and weak). The remaining 6 are doing incredibly well. They're displaying normal behaviors and swimming like crazy and eating relatively well. When I get back from visiting my parents in Cali, I'll re-do the tank a little and perhaps attempt to use new pieces of wood. We'll see how things go. Once the tank/filters are re-done, I'll test with some new fish and once it's deemed safe, I have some pearly occies waiting for their new home... hopefully free of any and all contaminants.

Thanks again everyone for all your help and advice!!

[Complexity]

Sorry to hear about the other pleco and white cloud. Plecos are normally pretty hardy so having the second one die further implicates the wood as the culprit. I'm so glad to hear the rest of the white clouds are doing well. Hopefully, the problems are behind you now. Keep us updated when you try to add more fish. We'll all be hoping for a good outcome for you.

[barrettsline]

B...... I'm at a loss. When you get back you'll be able to get it all fixed. And it will be better than before.


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[aquabee]

Thanks guys! I sure hope it turns out well the second time around.

[barrettsline]

What's the latest B?


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[aquabee]

What's the latest B?

Hey b. Didn't get to work on the tank til today because I was out of town and then had to work an overnight shift, but I just now finished a tank overhaul! Since the remaining 6 white clouds survived during my trip home, I decided to be conservative and do a hot water rinse of the tank. I decided to forgo the chlorine because I wasn't aiming to kill a pathogen and because the fish are looking so well. I took out the white clouds into a Tupperware and drained the tank. I soaked the rocks and shells in scalding hot tap water and let them dry out. Then I washed all the circ pumps, tubing, heater, and filter housing in hot tap water. Then I filled and drained the tank with hot tap water several times and then rinsed out the substrate and tank in hot de-chlorinated tap water. The filter media was gently rinsed in warm de-chlorinated water. Then I added water and Prime and set everything back up with a vigorous air stone and a new tank dose of Stability, and it's been running for about an hour. Will add the white clouds back in after the tank settles for another hour or so.

Hopefully this does the trick. Will probably attempt wood again, hoping that double jeopardy rules apply to aquariums too!! )

[barrettsline]

Well that's great, keep me updated on how it all goes. Sounds like everything is on its way to recovery.


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[RonR.]

Good report! Glad to hear things are doing better.

[aquabee]

Thanks guys. I was very happy this morning because one of my yellow shrimp in the nano is berried, and soon I should have little yellow shrimplets! :) So this is why I always advocate for a minimum of TWO tanks in every household... when something goes terribly wrong with one, at least you have the other one to cheer you up!

[barrettsline]

Thanks guys. I was very happy this morning because one of my yellow shrimp in the nano is berried, and soon I should have little yellow shrimplets! :) So this is why I always advocate for a minimum of TWO tanks in every household... when something goes terribly wrong with one, at least you have the other one to cheer you up!

Change that to a minimum of 4 and you'll be on the right track..

[aquabee]

True. No sooner had I spoken about having backup tanks to make one happy, when my CO2 system from my nano got a leak and emptied the entire canister into the air. NICE. That canister would've lasted me another 8 months. To make matters even better, the GLA shipment of Water Plant canisters is stuck in Thailand and won't be here til December!! My chilis and microneons are not that happy but my plants seem to be holding their own with the Excel and Flourish I've given them.

So if you have FOUR tanks, you might have crises to deal with in all FOUR! When it rains, it pours!

BUT on a positive note, after a complete overhaul, the white clouds are completely well and back to normal. I'm going to get more wood in the next couple of days. You think I should bleach it first or soak it or something? I've never had to do that before and I'm hoping the manzanita issue was just a fluke.