[coopercichlid]

ok, so i started a fishless cycle a few days ago and i was shocked to see that my ammonia is remaining high and i had no trace of nitrites. well today while looking at the library article for what seemed like the tenth time i saw it, the word "surfactants". immediately scared i ran to my jug of ammonia and sure enough, its in there.

I knew i didn't want colorants or perfumes but i complete forgot about surfactants when i was at the store.

is there any hope for my tank? How can i get rid of this stuff? will massive water changes work or do i have to take everything out and bleach the tank? or let it dry in the sun?

please help

 

[coopercichlid]

its a brand new 75 gallon. i already hooked up the filters and filled with sand and its in an office. i really don't want to dismantle or buy a new tank. if i do 75% WC twice a day for a week will that take care of it?

 

[remarkosmoc]

id do some big water changes. perhaps keep a garden hose running while you vacum. After this Id use a charcoal filter.

 

[fishghost]

1. Change all of the water
2. Rinse all filters out and run filters with charcoal.

That should it and restart fishless cycle with pure ammonia. Good luck :wink:

 

[VT4Me]

I think I'd be tempted to change the filter media rather than clean it, just to be on the safe side.

 

[coopercichlid]

ok, so i've completely drained the tank. threw away the sand (pool sand) pressure washed my rocks many times and let them bake in the sun (you have to love kansas). I threw away my filter media and ran the filter with carbon from a 5 gallon bucket on the counter.
i rinsed the tank itself out about 6 times whipping it out while it was filling and draining each time.

I spent pretty much all last night and today doing all of this. i have new sand, and i'm going to test it out with some feeder fish.

 

[remarkosmoc]

I think it will be fire.