simplestoryvile

recently i started up a 20 gallon freshwater tank. We overstocked, how ever my mom had been an experienced fish keeper for over 25 years so we should be ok. ( we had to leave our tank when we moved.) back to the pointwe went on vacation and our neighboor forgot to do the water changes!! so now their is all this food on the bottom and bacteria. So i ask what is a good none stress full way (for the fish) that we solve this problem. we have the vaccum
our fish are:
a school of 7 tetras ( 5 neon and 2 glo lights)
a school of 7 danios ( 3 glo and 2 zebra
a school of 3 cory cats

please help

Amanda

A good way to solve that problem is to vacuum the gravel & do a water change.

Nick G

I don't think your tank sounds overstocked. Just vacumn the gravel and do weekly water changes and it should be fine.

Lucy

I agree with the above posters.
Depending on your water parameters, it might be a good idea to do a series of water changes along with vacuuming to get things back under control.

Fla_Larry

i dont know how long you where gone on vaca, but your fish would have been fine if it was like a weeks vaca, and unless your neighbor was also an experienced fish keeper, you should never have them attempt a water change, your tank should have been able to easily go 2 weeks with out a water change ( would have been in need upon return ) but, simple very light feeding only for the duration.

but that is all water under the bridge so to speak, vacuum, and move on, you just learned a new lesson, and next time just have the neighbor feed them once or twice period. If your only gone for a week, dont worry at all,do nothing they will easily go a week with out food.

Peterpiper

Same as you could go a week without food and live.. Dont think it would be the right thing to do but do you?

Fla_Larry

at the risk of sounding short or callused about the fish, Yeah, i would feed them well beforehand rather than risk allowing an inexperienced person to nearly kill them with food? Dead fully fed is still dead.

In the OP's case no lethal harm came to the fish, So did they suffer? no doubt about that. and now the owner is stressed as well. In my post you will note i did say "I would just have them fed once or twice period" not starved for the whole period, i did mearly point out that the fish in fact could easily have gone a week with out feed with no harm, and minimal discomfort.

Sometimes to be kinder, you have to allow or even cause a bit of discomfort, to prevent grave discomfort or even death

a day in a cesspool with plenty to eat, or the same day in your home with nothing to eat. sorry no contest for me.

simplestoryvile

thanks guys and my tank is fixed. however we did suffer some casualties

2; zebra danios ( paul and bowl)
1: cory cat ( big bird)

however we added a golden inca snail!

Jess

I have to agree with Fla-Larry. I've left my tank for 5-6 days with out any feeding.
I came back they were all healthy and fine. No need to bother a neighbor. No over feeding and sick fish. It makes you feel uncomfortable but in the end its better for them.

Fla_Larry

Sorry to hear you lost a few. but not as bad as it could have been.