fishhappy

Hi, I am still trying to understand the science of properly cleaning the tank.
Since I have had filter problems and someone over feeding the fish, I have lots of poo and uneaten food in there. My ammonia levels are still high even though I have done many water changes. I have gotten into the gravel pretty good, but there is still lots of crap in there. Do you think it is necessary to remove almost everything and do a thourough cleaning or will this hurt the fish? Thanks for any help!

mrsmuffin

It sounds like you just need to do a good gravel vacuum. I have 2 different vacuums, the larger one obviously siphons water faster than the smaller one. In my 30 gallon tank, I usually start with my smaller one, so I have more time to do a good vacuum and then use the larger one when I am ready to finish removing water to the level that I have decided. I would not recommend that you remove everything and clean it, as it will disturb your cycle.

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore.

mrsmuffin's advice is good and I think chickadee knows something that can help lower your organic waste.

fishhappy

Thanks Mrs. Muffin and CoBetta couple, and who is chickadee? Anyway, I did a good gravel cleaning and the levels of ammonia have lowered slightly, but there is this unbelievable smell coming from the tank. We did use some Amquel to lower the ammonia. Do any of you know if that is good to use?
But the smell is is almost overpowering and the tank is in one of my kid's rooms, so a little concerned! Please help!!!

Fishies-for-me

Keep changing water...and only feed very sparingly every few days for a week or so. If I am not mistake you can do 2 water changes a day if you need to. About 25% each time.

chickadee

There is a product called Liquid Gravel Vac that will help to dissolve the organic matter and bring it up through the filter. Ordinarily it will say that you do not need to vacuum the gravel but you do need to vacuum the gravel also. It will also mean that you need to keep changing the filter pads and washing them and replacing them to keep them clean about every other day until this is resolved.

When your tank is bad you start by doing a 40% water change and good gravel vacuuming then put clean filter pad (just wash the old one in the water you have taken from the tank and put it back into the filter so you do not waste a new pad) and clean water to which you have added about a tablespoon total of the Liquid Gravel Vac (Freshwater type) and then you just add another tablespoon in two more days of the Liquid Gravel Vac and do this every other day for a week and do another 40% water change with another tablespoon of the Gravel Vac liquid in it. This time do not keep adding the liquid until a week goes by and then do another 40% water change and add the tablespoon of gravel vac liquid again. Just keep doing this making sure that you check the filter pad about every second or third day and wash it in clean dechlorinated water as needed to keep the dirt down. Your tank will clean itself very well and then I use the liquid about every other week after it gets to the point of being where it is clean.

Here is the stuff you need:

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/211578/product.web

Rose

fishhappy

Thank you so much chickadee! I am ordering some liquid gravel vac right now. Unfortunately, there is no place around where I live to buy it, but hopefully they will ship it fast! Thanks again

COBettaCouple

Amquel+ is a good product but does have a rather strong smell. I prefer a water conditioner called Prime. It has a bit of a smell too, but I think less than Amquel+ and it's a super product. 1-2 drops of it per gallon.

keithrbrts

scrub all rock things. Make sure you have much water movement. If you scrub or replace move caves once every two weeks you are good,

agsansoo

I agree with COBettaCouple on the Prime, plus good bacteria ( Liquid Gravel Vac ). Also feed small amounts a couple of times a day is better than one huge meal.

fishhappy

Yes, I was afraid to take all decor out of the tank and scrub it because I thought it might be stirring things up too much. But probably that is the only answer because when I add more water to the tank, you can still see stuff rising from the bottom. I am still waiting for the liquid gravel vac, but I think the thourough cleaning is probably the answer. Is it ok to take everthing out, even the fish? Or will this be too much of a shock for the fish?

mrsmuffin

I would NOT take everything out and "scrub" your tank. I would think about doing something like this while you are waiting for the liquid gravel vac:

1) Rinse your filter media in some treated water and place back in filter
2) Do a partial water change and "stir-up" some of your gravel
3) After re-filling your tank, wait for the debris to clear up and rinse yur filter media in treated water again.

Theoretically, this should allow your filter to pick up alot of the debris that you are seeing. Of course, if you have a gravel vac, I would also vacuum the gravel. You could certainly wipe down the sides of the tank with a clean towel and clean any visible gunk off of any plants or decorations.

Like I said, this is what *I* would do if I were having this problem, it doesn't mean that it is the best solution.

fishhappy

Thanks, mrsmuffin, I will certainly try this and hope it helps. We are starting to feel like the worst fish caring people in the world.

Lucy

That's what I would do too, mrsmuffin, but I'm wondering how much waste is in there and when the last time the tank was vacuumed.
Surely it couldn't that bad if weekly maintenance was done.

Lucy

Many of us have felt that way at one time or another.
Don't worry, you'll get it right.

mrsmuffin

You definitely shouldn't feel like that. You are making a good effort to get it right, which is better than most people!

volon287

I have been having the same problem with ammonia levels between 4-8. When I vacuum, it stirs up a lot of debrit. It clears again pretty quickly (within an hour or so), but even with partial water changes of 25% 2-3 times per week I can't seem to get the level under control. I too was wondering if I should remove all the fish and remove and wash the gravel.

mrsmuffin

Volon - are you vacuuming the gravel with every water change? Is it possible that you are overfeeding, or that you are overstocked?