What type of gravel are you using, is it pet store brand bought just for the color? And how attached is your son to it? It is possible to clean everything for reuse, but it might be easier to dump it all and start fresh if you're already that close. If you're like me then the first setup was by how the kids wanted it, but it might be worth steering them in a different direction as you learn more and what would be healthier for the stock.
Question re: bleach
- Thread starter GBG1
- Start date
The decorations are more likely to absorb bleach than the gravel, but if you follow the advice given it shouldn't be a problem (unless your son poured a huge amount of bleach in the water). Another note is that while you still need to add dechlor to the water anyways before getting your cycle going again and adding fish, bleach actually breaks down rapidly in water and so just a couple large water changes over a couple of days will do the trick. Again it's still a good idea to use some dechlor, but you don't need to go crazy with it.
There was no discussion on how to cycle, it was literally how to get rid of the bleach from the system. I assume since it's the OPs son's tank that the OP has tanks in the house with cycled media and transferring bacteria isn't a big deal. I don't know anyone who is on here because their son has a small tank...
Oh, and for the record I haven't fishless cycled in a long time. I use established media or Seachem Stability... Cycling is not a big deal anymore IMO when you have cycling products that work and products like Prime that neutralize ammonia... Just my 2 cents.
Thanks for all of the helpful advice. I know that I need to cycle tank all over again, I've just never dealt with bleach before... I may use this as an opportunity to nix the gravel and switch to sand (I've had sand tanks before and liked them- my son will go along with whatever I suggest). I've been in the hobby for 30 years! But always can learn, particulalry from folks on this board-- very knowledgeable group!!! Many thanks. GBG
Wow that sucks...
I would soak everything in clean water with 10x dosage of prime for about 2 days
I would soak everything in clean water with 10x dosage of prime for about 2 days
