I just got back from holiday and found everything in my tank dead. We had scheduled a pest control treatment while we were away. I'm sure that they sprayed the stuff too close to the tank. Stupid, stupid go ahead. You aren't saying anything I haven't already said. A year and a half of work, 10 fish killed in one day.
I have emptied the tank. I would like to get restarted.
My question is:
Do I need to get rid of all the stones, substrate that was in the tank?
I had a fish only tank but would like to reset it so that I may add some inverts sometime in the future. I do not have access to live rock. How should I set up the filteration? Currently I have a canister filter, undergravel filter and protien skimmer.

Thanks for the advice.

Karun

sorry to hear that [img]/ubb/frown.gif[/img]

i would get rid of the undergravel filter. and add some powerheads.

you could probably seed your system with just a little bit of live rock and/or live sand, if you would have access to a few pounds...it will take a while, but will work. you can research how to make your own live rock on www.garf.org too.

Hi Karun
Sorry to hear about your losses.
Have to be very careful when setting up again.
What sort of Pest Control was used? Is it likely to linger in the air?

First of all I'd make sure that there is no chance of your new set-up being infected again!
Then I'd strip the tank down and wash everything thouroughly!

Least little bit of chemicals remaining could poison any stock you introduce quickly. Last thing you want to happen.
When you have set-up again and Cycled tank) and are happy that you have cleaned everything - try introducing a small inexpensive fish and hope that it survives!
Let us all know how you get on!

i would get rid of everything.
clean filters pH real good.
no UF needed.

I would find out what kind of chemicals the pest place uses and go from there of course drain everythgi and clean the heck out of it..and definately get rid of the undergravel filter.....what size tank is it by the way and what do you plan on keeping????Dan

Well I started removing everything today and washing it in freshwater. I will probably keep it out in the sun for a couple of days. Then start reassembling the tank. In India I do not have acess to any live rock, live sand. I would have to fly to the US and bring some back in my bags. Not likely to happen anytime soon. The tank is 120G and I was running it as FO but I was hoping to add some coral and inverts since I am starting over. I haven't decided what fish I want but I have time. Atleast 1-2 months by the time the tank cycles.
How can I keep coral without live rock? What are some of the easier ones to keep?

Karun

Sorry to hear of your loss. I know the feeling.

I strongly recommend finding out what type of pesticide was used. Normally you would want to use chlorine to oxidize any lingering organic toxins. If the pesticide was oil based, simply washing the rock will not do the trick. If the vendor cannot help, let me know and I will contact a relative of mine who is in the pest control business for assistance.

Good Luck!

Hi Karun
I wouldn't think about introducing corals not until you are sure everything is ok and your tank has settled down again - maybe 6 months after cycling!
See how you get on with the fish first.

If you can't get access to Live rock - can you get access to any other rock from your LFS?
If so, you could use this instead.

If you can't get your own LR maybe you could make your own. Do you have access to argonite sand? and concrete? I have been experimenting with making my own LR and it has been turning out pretty successful for the most part. Here is the link that explains it... it takes a little searching but you can find it. www.garf.org HTH
I would also go with the bleach or chlorine route in cleaning out your tank.

Henry

------------------
Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall down an open manhole and die.
-Mel Brooks

How do I make live rocks? I have access to porous stone that are from the sea and coral skeletons. I'm not sure what type of sand is available. I have been using crushed coral/shells for the substrate.
The LFS deal only in freshwater fish. I get all the marine fish from inividual carriers who bring them in from Singapore/Malaysia. They don't always understand my requirement.
I read that the porous rocks will become live over time but how do I get the right bacteria/algae to get things started?

Karun

"]http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/6279/I[/url] I would just cycle with dead shrimp or any seafood the bacteria will get on the rock but as for bugs and critters you need accual lr,ls or an activator kit.If you can get fish you should beable to get something??? where would you get corals? If you have a lfs get the bugs out of there sumps. If they have corals there should be something?

[This message has been edited by Ironreef (edited 11-04-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Ironreef (edited 11-04-2000).]

Ironreef,

To cycle with dead shrimp. Do I just drop in shrimps and wait a month measuring the NH3, NO2, NO3? Do I need to remove the shrimps after a few days? Any recommendations on how many shrimps for a 120G tank?
You also mentioned an activator kit. What is that? Can you give me a brand name? Do you know of any mail order places that ship to Hong Kong? India does not allow mail order purchase from outside the country.
Thanks for your help.

Karun

if you get fish from carriers, you should be able to get a few pieces of live rock too. then you could use that to seed the other stuff in the tank.

any dead raw seafood will cycle your tank just leave it in for a week or so and let the ammo build up then break down to nitrites ect.. Take it out and check water before adding fish..Shipping to Hong kong?? Dunno about that but there maybe ppl here or I know there are some ppl from china and other asian countries that post at www.reef.org/index-1.html you may need to go to various other bb just to find ppl in your area? If no one here can.

Karun-

If you know someone who has a tank, you may be able to ask that person to give you some of the coraline algae scrapped off of the front glass, when they clean. Use this seed your own porous rock to get live rock.