ok just had an internal filter fuse itself in my tank much smoke and noxious fumes and oily residue on top of water
DID an imediate water change hoping to avoid problems, but fish still unhappy. SO re located to new tanks fish are cool (although if my kingsizeis eat the baby fronnies or baby kings ill spit)
Ive removed as much gravel as i can and all rock have fitlers running. My plan is to run tank for one week and then do a 3/4 water change and filter strip down . Using water from another tank im hoping to re start the systemn and after another week re introduce the fish
2 questions Has this happened to anyone else and were there any really bad toxins and do you think this process should be sufficient
TKS peter
8O ...maybe filter all the water with carbon and purigen?
do that and maybe a 100% water change if you have a week to let water cycle and a cycled filter to run on it it should be fine
Fast thinking saved your fish - good work! :wink:
Transferring water from another tank won't do much for re-establishing it again, only benefits if you are transferring fish back in with it.
I'd instead transfer some gravel and slimey rocks from an established tank, plus a portion of established-filter media if you can, and run it a week or two. Then gradually transfer the fish over duration of a couple of weeks with regular 30% water changes along the way.
That way you'll avoid any amonia spikes no problem and cycle the tank properly.
Never had a fused internal pump happen to me. What brand was the filter?
Sounds like you've got it covered cleaning the tank but will have to start over regards cycling.
You can remove almost all the oily surface residue with absorbent paper rolls or tissie paper or newspaper even. Let the water lay still so the residue collects, lay the paper over the water surface (no need to rush) and then whip it all off into a bucket. It is pretty effective and can be repeated. Carbon in filter just in case is a good idea but may not be needed.