Cleaning main tank after fish died from Septicemia?

Question

What needs to be done to disinfect the tank? Is there a way to "wash" the plastic aquarium plants and gravel, or should they be replaced? Do I need to get a new bio-filter?

Answer 1

My first question would be how did you know for sure your fish died of Septicemia? I have owned tanks for 30+ years and have never ran across it since it is so rare. If you are that good to diganose Septicemia, why are you asking us what do to with the tank? I've seen it once in a friends fish Rare as it may be, if you know about the disease, you know how to fix your tank.

As you know, Septicemia life-threatening infection that gets worse very quickly. It can arise from infections throughout the body, including infections in the lungs, abdomen, and urinary tract. It may come before or at the same time as infections of the bone (osteomyelitis ), central nervous system (meningitis ), or other tissues.

Septicemia can rapidly lead to septic shock and death. Septicemia associated with some organisms (germs) such as meningococci can lead to shock, adrenal collapse, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, a condition called Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome.

Septicemia can begin with spiking fevers and chills, rapid breathing and heart rate, the outward appearance of being seriously ill (toxic) and a feeling of impending doom. These symptoms rapidly progress to shock with decreased body temperature (hypothermia), falling blood pressure, confusion or other changes in mental status, and blood-clotting abnormalities evidenced by a specific type of red spots on the skin (petechiae and ecchymosis). It takes a certified Vet to accurately diagnose with blood testing this disease. So I ask you once again, how do you know for sure your fish died of this?

Also, let your tank run for a minimum of 3 days, unless you have gone beyond testing and diagnosed the water. Then again why are you asking us? You should know. No matter of of disinfectant would help since it only effects certain fish and is not contagious. But then again you knew this.

Answer 2

I would replace everything that has been contaminated, especially the bio-filter and carbon. You can try washing the plastic plants and gravel in hot water to kill the parasite, but I would not suggest using any products or chemicals to clean them with. Be sure to clean out the aquarium also. Also, before adding new fish, make sure your aquarium cycles for at least 2 weeks, if not more.

Hope this is helpful.

Answer 3

The best and safest disinfectant for your stuff is a washday product called Oxy-clean. It's not as absolutely germ killing as bleach,but with careful cleaning and rinsing it is safer for the next residents. It cleans by generating oxygen instead of chlorine. If you feel you must use bleach,then begin the rinsing process with two long soaks containing sodium triphosphate,(wall paper sizing),it will remove the chlorine,but leave you with a sodium rinsing problem. Either way,it's hard work.----Good luck.---PeeTee----Oh yes,you will need to re-cycle the tank,the plants(plastic) will clean-up OK,but it will be easier to just replace the gravel with new and well rinsed material.

Answer 4

You can clean the entire tank, gravel, decorations, filter, etc. with a mild (3 oz to each gallon) bleach & hot water solution, never use soap. I'd get rid of the filter media and be sure to rinse everything several times.

Answer 5

In these situations I use Milton. (Baby bottle solution) but be sure to rinse the tank out well before refilling

Answer 6

Assuming you have no more fish in the tank, I would suggest you wash everything out with very hot water and allow it to dry well. Then refill the tank and cycle it to restart your bio filtration. You might check into fishless cycling as a good option.

MM