55 1/2 gallon fish tank - been sitting w/o any fish for about 4 months and now there's some really teeny parasites swimming in it - since not sure of what's in there, don't want to just put on my lawn, etc. Please let me know any suggestions. Thanks.
2007-11-16 04:44:05 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
Are you sure you're seeing parasites? There are a lot of microorganisms that find their way into fish tanks, and most are more beneficial than harmful. They break down wastes so the bacteria that are in the tank can break them down further.
Chances are, if they're large enough to see without a microscope, they aren't parasites. A true "parasite" needs to have a host to feed from or it will die. That's another reason why I don't think what you're seeing are parasites - they're probably feeding on debris that was left in the gravel.
If you had fish in the tank that died, did you ever check on the ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate levels in the tank? You may have been overfeeding or not cleaning the gravel adequately, and this caused the water quality to "go bad", killing your fish - and now, the same debris is what's feeding your microorganisms.
Anyway, it won't be necessary to dispose of the tank. You can do a surface sterilization of the tank, gravel, and any equipment by adding a 5% bleach solution (1 part bleach to 19 of water), and allow this to sit with the filter running for 15-20 minutes, then rinsing the tank well. Then you could reuse it, or at least sell it as used equipment. I buy a lot of my tanks and filters used and do this same procedure, and I haven't lost any fish from anything that may have been in the tank previously.
ADDITION: Even if they don't want to get rid of the tank, the procedure to clean it would be the same. And there isn't anything wrong if they just use the water on the lawn, either. As I said earlier, these probably aren't parasites.
2007-11-16 05:05:40 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
They have whats called a syphon for a fish tank.
. If you dont have one go to a petco or petsmart and ask for one this is like a vaccum for your fish tank they may cost around 10 dollars or so the bigger the fish tank the more its gonna cost. Or just try a standard size one for a 20 gallon its probably gonna be cheaper. Ask a fish department sales associate to explain if youre not sure how the syphon works. (its based on suction and gravity of the water and air flow between this device and your water in the tank. No you dont have to do the sucking that would be gross. The syphon will drain the water out of the fish tank for most of the way and the rest you will just have to empty the rest by yourself. Get two or three aditional people to help you with the fish tank cause as you know they are quite heavy. Wash everything out afterwards parasites are dangerous to have around. Diluted liquid Bleach and or soap and hot water will do the trick and make sure you are cleaned up afterwards as well.
2007-11-16 05:27:52 · answer #2 · answered by PSOs gal 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
1st take all the gravel out, and put in a bucket, this could enable which you will empty relax of water out. while there is merely a splash water left in it, if tank not heavy merely tip all of it out. If to heavy, merely dry it up with the two newspaper or kitchen paper towels or bypass away someplace like a storage to dry out.
2016-09-29 08:53:51 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry CH, but I don't think they want to dispose of the tank, they want to get rid of the water.
Flush the water or put it in a garden, Freshwater fishtank water has a lot of good nutrients in it for flowers or vegetable gardens.
I wouldn't worry about the "bugs", They probably wouldn't last long when they dry out and would add to the compost for a garden.
http://ovas.ca/index.php?page=69
2007-11-16 05:21:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Why not put a lot of aquarium salt in it and see if that will kill them?
If you put dish soap or bleach in the tank, there will always be that residue in there that would kill any future fish you put in the tank.
2007-11-16 06:24:10 · answer #5 · answered by Ella 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Toilet? No offense but EWWW. My fish tank gets pretty funky sometimes, I hope I'm not growing parasites!
2007-11-16 04:50:17 · answer #6 · answered by Layla 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Water you house plants with it!!!! I water mine with tank water, and they are thriving!!! They are greener and grow faster than even Miracle Grow!!!
2007-11-16 05:35:38 · answer #7 · answered by Suzie Q 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Down the drain.
2007-11-16 04:47:35 · answer #8 · answered by evassj4 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
just put it in a bag and put it out or throw it in a dumpster....lol
2007-11-16 09:55:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋