Help! How To Get Soap Out Of A Fish Tank.

Hello, I was cleaning my 55 gallon Gold fish tank, and I took some of the plastic plants out of the tank to clean them. Well I was being assisted by my 14 year old brother, and somehow a tide pod stuck to the plant, plant entered tank, I only realized until after the pod burst. Only a tiny amount got into the tank, but I’m worried about my fish, and what to do next. So far I’ve drained most of the tank, but I have no safe place to keep my fish so they are still in the tank... with about 4 inches of soapy water. Any suggestions?

 

Keep changing out water, "dilution is the solution" in this case. I have no idea how a Tide Pod was stuck to a plant while cleaning, but as I said, keep changing out water. Fill the tank, change out 80%. Fill the tank again, drain out 80%. It'll take a long time, but the idea is to dilute the chemicals to non-toxic levels. Having carbon in the filter and water conditioner may also help. Never had soap or detergent in a tank so I can't help much more than suggesting multiple heavy water changes.

 

I understand that those pods get super sticky when met with moisture. Maybe adding carbon could take some of the soaps out.Water changes are def a good idea though

 

Update, I’ve moved to fish to random pots and pans filled with declorinated water, and stress coat. Most of them are starting to go belly up, but they are breathing and I’m slowly moving clean water threw there gills. Please any suggestion?

I will put carbon in the pots and pans!

I understand that those pods get super sticky when met with moisture. Maybe adding carbon could take some of the soaps out.Water changes are def a good idea though

 

Update, I’ve moved to fish to random pots and pans filled with declorinated water, and stress coat. Most of them are starting to go belly up, but they are breathing and I’m slowly moving clean water threw there gills. Please any suggestion?

Air stones for sure

 

Keep changing out water, "dilution is the solution" in this case. I have no idea how a Tide Pod was stuck to a plant while cleaning, but as I said, keep changing out water. Fill the tank, change out 80%. Fill the tank again, drain out 80%. It'll take a long time, but the idea is to dilute the chemicals to non-toxic levels. Having carbon in the filter and water conditioner may also help. Never had soap or detergent in a tank so I can't help much more than suggesting multiple heavy water changes.

I’m putting carbon in the water with the fish, and I’m diluting the water

 

Worse case scenario, drain the tank, scrub it clean with hot water and start from scratch. I know you don't want to hear that, but a little soap or even aerosols can destroy established aquariums. Keep us updated.

 

Air stones for sure

Yes I have back up bubblers and they are all setup in the pots.

Worse case scenario, drain the tank, scrub it clean with hot water and start from scratch. I know you don't want to hear that, but a little soap or even aerosols can destroy established aquariums. Keep us updated.

I will keep you updated, and I’m in the process of scrubbing, I’m going to soak the plants in hot water, and I’m boiling the gravel, I’m scrubbing out the tank. I’m only thankful that the water filtration system was completely turned off and removed from the tank, as was the air stones.

 

I will keep you updated, and I’m in the process of scrubbing, I’m going to soak the plants in hot water, and I’m boiling the gravel, I’m scrubbing out the tank. I’m only thankful that the water filtration system was completely turned off and removed from the tank, as was the air stones.

The filter was off? Good, then there's a very good chance you haven't lost your cycle. If that's the case, give the intake for the filter a good scrub in hot water, return them, and you can keep the fish in a Rubbermaid tub with their filter running and clean, dechlorinated water as a temporary solution. DO NOT MESS WITH THE MEDIA IN THE FILTER.

If you can get that tank cleaned tonight, I would set it up bare-bottom and return the fish with their filter. Personally, I'd just replace the gravel to err on the side of caution, but boiling and draining it might work just fine.

 

Update:

None of the fish have died, a friend brought over a 20 gallon tub, and now all the fish are in a life sustaining environment.

I’ve emptied the tank 6 times now and the soap smell seems to be gone, I’ve done a water test, and the pH is reading 7.8. I know that gold fish prefer 7.5. The ammonia is at 0.50 ppm, nitrite is at 0 ppm, and nitrate is at 0 ppm. What do you think?

I have new gravel from the same friend with the tub, and the plants are being soaked is super hot water, over and over again.

The carbon is really making a difference in the fish, they are all huddled together, but they are breathing normally, and have no signs of fin damage or film on there scales.

I brought in my garden hose, and have been filling it up from there. No more sudds or bubbles are forming when agitating the waters surface. I have something called “Quick start”, and it’s basically a pouch of good bacteria, and I have safe filtered media, that I will add an hour or two before the fish are added.

What do you think? Should I keep doing water changes or run the tank for a while, and add the fish. And yes I will be floating them for 30 minuets to an hour before throwing them in.

 

I would make one of the fish a guinea pig and put it in alone and watch for negative symptoms. If none develop, then the tank is safe.

 

I’ve never done this before either. But if it’s me, I’d drain and refill it again after the bubbles are gone. I always have a spare filter so I would run that with charcoal. Wait a couple of hours at least before adding my fish in. Laundry soaps are usually low suds unlike dishwashing soaps that’s why I’m more cautious. 55 gallons is not easy and I feel for you and the fishes.

 

Update:

None of the fish have died, a friend brought over a 20 gallon tub, and now all the fish are in a life sustaining environment.

I’ve emptied the tank 6 times now and the soap smell seems to be gone, I’ve done a water test, and the pH is reading 7.8. I know that gold fish prefer 7.5. The ammonia is at 0.50 ppm, nitrite is at 0 ppm, and nitrate is at 0 ppm. What do you think?

I have new gravel from the same friend with the tub, and the plants are being soaked is super hot water, over and over again.

The carbon is really making a difference in the fish, they are all huddled together, but they are breathing normally, and have no signs of fin damage or film on there scales.

I brought in my garden hose, and have been filling it up from there. No more sudds or bubbles are forming when agitating the waters surface. I have something called “Quick start”, and it’s basically a pouch of good bacteria, and I have safe filtered media, that I will add an hour or two before the fish are added.

What do you think? Should I keep doing water changes or run the tank for a while, and add the fish. And yes I will be floating them for 30 minuets to an hour before throwing them in.

pH doesn't matter, 7.8 is fine. A .3 difference is negligible.

.5 ppm ammonia, is that water straight from your tap? If so you should look into using Prime as your conditioner of choice as it neutralizes ammonia.

If you saved their filtration the Quick Start probably isn't necessary, but certainly won't hurt to dose.

I'd give the tank 24 hours with a fish in to test it out before moving them all back.

 

pH doesn't matter, 7.8 is fine. A .3 difference is negligible.

.5 ppm ammonia, is that water straight from your tap? If so you should look into using Prime as your conditioner of choice as it neutralizes ammonia.

If you saved their filtration the Quick Start probably isn't necessary, but certainly won't hurt to dose.

I'd give the tank 24 hours with a fish in to test it out before moving them all back.

Okay thank you, I will run the tank and add the fish tomorrow!

Update: Charlie, my Black moor, has been in the tank for about 30 minutes. He’s my most complicated fish in the whole tank. If there’s a problem he’s always the first to show signs. He’s swimming around like normal, and he even ate some food. Nothing seems be bothering him, I checked the pH again and it’s at 7.6. The rest of the tests are normal, and the tank doesn’t really have a smell. I have the water conditioner\stress coat in the tank, as well as some aquarium salt. I have a few mesh bags of extra carbon in the filter, and the air stones were not in the water when the soap was added, so they are safe. I’m not adding any plants or decorations until tomorrow, but I can’t keep the fish in the bucket all night. This tank is actually in a business, and I am unable to keep the shop cat away from them, seeing as I have to go home soon. I’m going to add all of the fish, and pray they don’t go belly up. It’s around 11:40 pm, and I can only stay until 2. I was hoping to just spend the night on the couch, but I can’t. Keep your fingers crossed .

 

Good Luck

 

All I can say is many water changes. Maybe use some prime.... Errrr or you can call someone that is a fish expert and ask them. They will likely tell you the same thing we are.

 

My greatest concern would be that you have effectively sterilized that tank - like Zero bacteria. Can you just stabilize the 20 gal. with an airstone/foam filter, with a view to cycling the 55 tank? Have you ever used pure ammonia to cycle (saving your goldfish). I did this with my last set-up and brought a tank online to fully cycled in like 11 days. The method is slowly add pure ammonia to the tank water to 40ppm and monitor with water checks. When you can add pure ammonia to 40ppm, and the tank converts it to zero in 12 hours, you're there! It took me five doses in a 35gal bowfront last time. See Ammonia instructions for a fishless cycle
The best option for Pure Ammonia I found was "Old Country" brand which contains NO PHOSPHATES OR FRAGRANCES - important. I threw some "seeded" gravel and hardscape into the tank from a established tank - a cheat I suppose but I wouldn't do it the hard way by killing off my fish...

 

Update: Late last night at about 2 am, I added all of the fish back in the tank. I used Quick start, which basically adds bacteria to the tank. This morning everyone is alive and well. The tank is cloudy, and that makes me happy, because it’s the initial bacteria boom. All of the filter cartridges were safe from the soap invaders, so the bacteria is still on them. I’ve put in the new gravel, and the fish seem happy. Still no plants but i’m Gonna add those later today. I’ve taken a brand new toothbrush to them in order to scrub any remaining Soap off. I’ve changed out the extra carbon bags for fresh carbon, just in case. Things are looking good so far!

 

Good to know everything is safe for the time. Move the laundry detergent away from your cleaning station next time

 

My greatest concern would be that you have effectively sterilized that tank - like Zero bacteria. Can you just stabilize the 20 gal. with an airstone/foam filter, with a view to cycling the 55 tank? Have you ever used pure ammonia to cycle (saving your goldfish). I did this with my last set-up and brought a tank online to fully cycled in like 11 days. The method is slowly add pure ammonia to the tank water to 40ppm and monitor with water checks. When you can add pure ammonia to 40ppm, and the tank converts it to zero in 12 hours, you're there! It took me five doses in a 35gal bowfront last time. See Ammonia instructions for a fishless cycle
The best option for Pure Ammonia I found was "Old Country" brand which contains NO PHOSPHATES OR FRAGRANCES - important. I threw some "seeded" gravel and hardscape into the tank from a established tank - a cheat I suppose but I wouldn't do it the hard way by killing off my fish...

I sadly couldn’t keep the fish in the tub. I have a cat and he loves to attack the fish. I had to go home last night, due to a family matter, and was forced to put the fish in the tank due to the cat.

Good to know everything is safe for the time. Move the laundry detergent away from your cleaning station next time

I’m not used to having the washer and dryer at the office, so this was the first time cleaning the tank since we got them! For sure I will be more careful . I have had this tank for about 4 years now, and I’m grateful none of the fish were harmed. Thank you for all of your help!

Update: Plastic plants are in the tank, fish are all happy and they accepted food! Thank you to everyone who pitched in with comments and support. This was by far the scariest thing to have ever happened to me in the hobby, and it was nice to have some backup. None of the fish died, one ripped fin, but other then that safe and healthy tank. Did a water test, the tank is not fully cycled, but I felt comfortable with the readings! Thanks again!

 

Update: Plastic plants are in the tank, fish are all happy and they accepted food! Thank you to everyone who pitched in with comments and support. This was by far the scariest thing to have ever happened to me in the hobby, and it was nice to have some backup. None of the fish died, one ripped fin, but other then that safe and healthy tank. Did a water test, the tank is not fully cycled, but I felt comfortable with the readings! Thanks again!

I’m so glad it turned out ok for you and your swimming babies.