URGENT HELP NEEDED - SOAP IN AQUARIUM

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
CaptainAquatics

CaptainAquatics

Candiru
MFK Member
Feb 25, 2020
143
80
46
25
Hello all!
Gotta type this fast…

doing some matinence on my 150 gallon aquarium today and swapped out filter socks. My process for cleaning them has always been to run them through the washer with bleach then allow them to air dry for 3+ days.
These socks have been sitting in the laundry room for almost a month and I just put them in. Checked the sump about 15 mins later (tank has been running since) and there were TONS of bubbles that smelled soapy / laundry detergent.
I immediately turned off the pump and removed the socks. Where do I go from here?
 
I would probably do a 50% water change and put some new activated carbon in your filter or put a good amount of carbon in a permeable bag into the sump where the water will flow through it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SilverArowanaBoi
Start changing the water, if a small amount of soap got into the tank, then it may not be deadly with 150G dilution. But it might hurt long-term. So keep doing repeated water changes until no suds are observed. I think it's the phosphates in the soap that will kill the fish.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SilverArowanaBoi
The problem is that I’m on a well. I MIGHT be able to push one more water change, but will then be out of hot water (I did a 80% water change and rescape before this happened).
 
TigerBarbs.com said:
Start changing the water, if a small amount of soap got into the tank, then it may not be deadly with 150G dilution. But it might hurt long-term. So keep doing repeated water changes until no suds are observed. I think it's the phosphates in the soap that will kill the fish.
Click to expand...
All the suds were located at the filter socks. No suds in the main water yet
 
All the filter media is probably no good right?

IMG_3843.jpeg
 
Your large water volume is your friend! Probably not catastrophic. I hear you on the well water situation. May need to boil water on the stove and add to the well water to get it up to temperature if you continue the water changes based on seeing suds or smelling soap. I think a large water change, 50-75% will probably get you close to soap-free.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SilverArowanaBoi
Should I chuck all the filter media?
 
Do I see activated carbon in your pic on the right? If so, I would leave it in place a day or two before removing it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom