Question: About cat pee in a Tank

Blood Parrot Gal · April 2nd, 2009

Hi Everyone, I am new here but not new to the fish world. I have had a active tank, since I was 15 yrs old, (43 now) and currently have a 125, a Reg. 55, a 45, an a 55 hex tank.

My question isn't concerning any of these tanks but a used one I purchased. I got it last week, and had it sitting in my entry way for a few days, and my cats nosed around it a few times, but I really didn't think anything of it, the only odar coming from it was filthy fish water, on the very bottom of the tank. This is a 75 gallon Tank. Well I was getting ready to clean it out real good so out to my deck it went. I went back into the house for a few minutes and when I came back out my Asain Leopard jumped out of the tank, and when I walked over there I could smell he had peed in it.

So I have asked a few people and I get many different answers, some say I'll have to clean it a min. of 25 times. (who has the time for that I ask?). I mean I'm only one person, with a full time job, horses to take care, barn chores, one exotic (the leopard) anda spoiled simease, plus a Aussie who needs 2 walks a day, plus a teen son to run all over the country side.... Others say It can't be safetly used any longer.

So what I want to know is: Did I waste my $100.. Is this tank ruined? Or can this problem be fixed? He's not gonna be able to pee in it with the glass, lights and hood over that on top of it but I also do not want Cat pee odar in my home either.

So does anyone know how I can take care of this and safetley use the tank again?

I rinced it out immeditley after it happened, and since this happened I figured it wasn't going to make it any worse then the cat pee so I washed it with dawn dishwashing liquid, and water, then rinced it, then washed it with bleach, and washed it again, I know I will need a de clorinater cuz of the bleach, but theres still some smell. Maybe it got into the seal? I don't know.

If I can use it safetly, How do I go about getting rid of the smell and the amounia (sp). It is going to house 2 6" blood parrots & one 8" Bumblebee, and a pleco.

Any help would be much appreiated.

Thanks, Paige

aquarist48 · April 2nd, 2009

Welcome to Fish Lore Gal! Love the screen name! It sounds like you're doing everything you possibly can. I'd bleach it one more time and rinse it out REALLY WELL. I don't see why a little cat pee would be so harmful once it's been cleaned and rinsed. Bloody Parrot lover here too

Good luck and once again WELCOME.

Don't use any more soap...

capekate · April 2nd, 2009

Hello Paige and welcome to fishlore!
It sounds like you have your hands full... I agree with Aquarist just a little bleach and water, a good rinsing to make sure there is no bleach residue and you should be fine. Maybe keeping the hood on it while it dries will keep the cats away.

Blood Parrot Gal · April 2nd, 2009

Thank you lades, I am so glad I ddn't waste my Money. Iwill tackel it tomorrow again, and leave it sitting out for a few ays, and put plenty of de chlorinater when I fill it up.. Maybe it will sit empy longer then i usally let a tank sit empty. Maybe I'll throw sme feeder gold fish in to see if they live or die before I let my babies go in there.

I got my first parrot back in 94' aquarist48 and i have been hooked on them since. She lived 10 yrs bfore she died and I was very upset about loosing her. They ar very entertaining, and wil keep you entained for hrs. I have one that goes to sleep early every night. One day my son said why does she go to sleep like that mom.. She sleeps upside down.. I said cuz she so busy every day fending off that other parrot in there she plum worn out she can't hold herself upright after her long day... Lol. I love every blood parrot I hae and am looking at another one but was gonna buy him this past weekend but he was in coratien when I got there. SO I probably won't buy him now.

Yes to busy Kate.. My son helps but it's alot of work and usally when I fall int bed I am so tired I am out like a light just to be wide awake in a few hrs.. Well at least it all keeps me to busy to sit around being a couch potato. (to offence meant to anyone).

Thanks again for the replies.

Paige ~ Blood Parrot Gal

aquarist48 · April 2nd, 2009

I have 1 bloody parrot with NO TAIL. That particular gene was omitted when it was created. He is so AWESOME. All 9 of my bloody parrots age from 5 to 8 years ish....I just started a new tank with 2 baby BP's. They are all really like family now. Good luck with your new tank!

navyscuba · April 2nd, 2009

Same here I would use some bleach and rinse really good. Good Luck.

Butterfly · April 2nd, 2009

If I understand correctly you washed the tank with dish detergent. Make sure every last bit of soap is out because it will cause more problems than the cat pee. (pee turns into ammonia and some people use ammonia to fishless cycle).
After getting the soap out I personally would fill it full of water, drop some bleach in and let it soak over night. Then drain and fill again (I know that's a lot of water) add 2x the amount of dechlorinator needed for that tank size and let it sit over night again. Empty. Then it will be ready to use. the bleach will kill any thing that has gotten in it while sitting. Good luck! Keep us posted.
Carol

agabr123 · April 2nd, 2009

welcome to fishlore

when using bleach, you'll want a 1 part bleach 19 part water mixture, and i'd go with carol's suggestion of filling up the whole tank outside (this lets you check for leaks as well), leave it at least overnight with the bleach/water mixture, and then the dechlorinator.

FL CommunityFans · April 2nd, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Butterfly

If I understand correctly you washed the tank with dish detergent. Make sure every last bit of soap is out because it will cause more problems than the cat pee. (pee turns into ammonia and some people use ammonia to fishless cycle).
After getting the soap out I personally would fill it full of water, drop some bleach in and let it soak over night. Then drain and fill again (I know that's a lot of water) add 2x the amount of dechlorinator needed for that tank size and let it sit over night again. Empty. Then it will be ready to use. the bleach will kill any thing that has gotten in it while sitting. Good luck! Keep us posted.
Carol

Most important thing in this post I think Carol highlighted. Soap is far deadlier to fish than pee/ammonia is. I'd flush it with a hose for a good hour then let it soak for 24 hours in a bleach solution and then I'd dry it out. I'd fill it with water again and use a sterile scrubbie (one with no presoaped qualities or additives added to it). Wash the glass down again good with it and then dry it off with a dry rag. I generally use the green cleaning ones that yo get 10 to a pack at walmart. They work great for this type of thing. I throw them out when done using them on these sorts of projects as they are so cheap.

namehater · April 2nd, 2009

i wouldnt have thought bleach would be safe for the silicone, you all 100% sure its not going to deteriorate the seals?

FL CommunityFans · April 2nd, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by namehater

i wouldnt have thought bleach would be safe for the silicone, you all 100% sure its not going to deteriorate the seals?

Tried and true method by thousands of other aquarists out there. You don't want to dump a bottle of bleach in it. use 1 capful of bleach for every 10 gallons is what I have always done.

Butterfly · April 2nd, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by namehater

i wouldnt have thought bleach would be safe for the silicone, you all 100% sure its not going to deteriorate the seals?

Yep 100% sure

Have used it on everything I have that is aquatic related including plants

You just have to be sure to rinse well and heavily dechlorinate.
Carol

CWO4GUNNER · April 2nd, 2009

Well what's done is done and you certainly too care of the cat pee. The big question is what to do if it happens again when its stocked with fish? I have a cat and I know if he peed ammonia in my tank before taking any radical action I would use ammonia detox and take some readings, just a suggestion encase it happens...

Butterfly · April 2nd, 2009

He would really have to get into an awkward position to pee in the tank after it has water in it LOL But you never know I guess.
My cat plays in my tanks when their empty but wanted nothing to do with them after water was added.
Carol

Blood Parrot Gal · April 19th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWO4GUNNER

Well what's done is done and you certainly too care of the cat pee. The big question is what to do if it happens again when its stocked with fish? I have a cat and I know if he peed ammonia in my tank before taking any radical action I would use ammonia detox and take some readings, just a suggestion encase it happens...

Not to worried about that as, the tank has a glass lid plus a wood hood that covers the top of the tank. I did catch my Asain lepard walking on the top of the tank the other day and I yelled loud enough he ran off and hid and didn't come out for the rest of the day. lol He needs to lean he can't do that. It's werid tho he's never done it to any of my other tanks, so I don't know why he did it to this one.

It is up and running, I am going to put fish in it tonight. I will keep you updated.
BTW.. I posted a new thread. I wnt to set up my first salt water tank and have a panther grouper.. So if anyone knows anything you can go to my other post and answer. I will probably end up putting in a shark also. Not just the panther like i originally stated.

Thanks.

Blood Parrot Gal · April 23rd, 2009

So here it is.. Fish have been in it for 4 days now.. Let me know what ya think... Charlie is my Bumble bee and the other 2 are blood parrots, which are named silly (the ornage and blk one) and Mz Bitty..The big orange one.

Blood Parrot Gal · April 23rd, 2009

More photo's.

hssea · April 23rd, 2009

Nice !! I love it

Amanda · April 23rd, 2009

Looks great!

jusfishinaround · April 23rd, 2009

Hi Blood Parrot Gal. I see an internal filter in the last picture. Is that the only filter you have on this tank or is there another one in the cabinet?

Blood Parrot Gal · April 23rd, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by jusfishinaround

Hi Blood Parrot Gal. I see an internal filter in the last picture. Is that the only filter you have on this tank or is there another one in the cabinet?

At the time of that photo yes, it was the only filter on the tank. I had to go into town to get some filter stuff for my aqua clear 500/110 before I could put it up. I also had to get the plate cut out for it that is behind the light housing as there were only a couple small cutouts already there. It's obious they (the former owners)had used a canstier filter cuz theres a line shaped like the base of a cansiter filter on the bottom shelf with 2 round holes cut out of the back and the bottom shelf is all water stained and rotted in some spots where water had leaked or spilt and they left it without cleaning it up.

So now the internal is still in there plus the aqua clear 500/110.. Which is my favorite filter of all times. I have trid many others and I don't think any clean as well as my aqua clears do. I have a sump and all that with over flows on my 125 and every freaking time I clean it it overflows and gets water all over the place. I will never ever again buy a tank with a sump and tank/filter built in below it.
I even had a aquarium company come clean it once and after all was done it still overflowed. I came home to 4" of water on my floor. I was furious. So you can imagine it doesn't get cleaed as much as it should.
It does it when it gets cleaned or you add water to it. I keep saying I am going to upgrade to a 250 gallon and burn that tank. It is such a pain in the butt. Anyways one of the reasons I like the AC so much better is all my tanks that have one on it are sparkling clear and they just do a better job then any other filter.