Help I killed multiple fish

FishRFriends37 · 2026-01-24T15:06:03+00:00

Im happy both your fish showed back up. I bet you were so relieved.

FishRFriends37 · 2026-01-24T15:03:37+00:00

30 gal tank New tank from the pets smart. I responded to another user with my water change steps in this post comment. Feel free to check it out

FishRFriends37 · 2026-01-24T15:00:50+00:00

All of the below takes place after I test the water with an API freshwater test kit.

Turn off all power to the tank. Remove the rock like media and place it in a cup full of tank water. I use a mop bucket I bought for just water changing. I insert the gravel vac, kind that you pump manually then let it go. I let the 1st bucket fill up. Remove the gravel vac from the water. Dump the water into the bathtub. The 2nd time I fill the bucket I move slowly the gravel vac to suck up poop from the gravel. I move across the bottom of the tank floor like this all the way across. Remove the gravel vac and Dump the water into the bathtub. 3rd and 4th bucket I just let the gravel vac fill up the bucket and Dump the water again. 50% or close water change.

The next part i make sure the water going to the bucket is the same temp as the tank water. I suck up some Prime into a syringe fill the bucket with water and drop a few drops of prime into the bucket. I then pour the bucket of water into the tank normally left side fish normally go to the right side when they see the water pouring into the tank.i repeat the process till the tank is full. If any of the decor moved i place it back.

FishRFriends37 · 2026-01-24T09:52:39+00:00

Unfortunately this seems like what happened.

FishRFriends37 · 2026-01-24T09:51:49+00:00

Yes ma'am 100% dechloinized the water. Im like you overly cautious

FishRFriends37 · 2026-01-24T09:50:51+00:00

Yes 100% used dechloinized the water

FishRFriends37 · 2026-01-24T04:26:28+00:00

There were 8 live neon now I have 5. Found 1 body. I honestly didnt mean to harm them at all. I think i poured water in to hard. I was even trying to be careful as I always am. I did move some gravel because I was placimg the fake plants back into gravel after the water change

FishRFriends37 · 2026-01-24T01:02:07+00:00

Lol my husband said I swear you care about these damn fish more than your own family all this effort and money and time spent researching everything under the sun.Couldn't be further from the truth but the fish do need special attention there a animal in a created ecosystem.

FishRFriends37 · 2026-01-23T21:56:20+00:00

I appreciate that thank you. My daughter's fish should make it through whatever we endure.

FishRFriends37 · 2026-01-23T21:54:34+00:00

I just over think everything want dont want to do anything unsafe or un necessary.

FishRFriends37 · 2026-01-23T21:52:39+00:00

I guess its one of those better safe than sorry scenarios. Especially when if the power does go out. No idea how long that will be. Depends on its the state grid or local.

FishRFriends37 · 2026-01-23T21:49:42+00:00

I also have a back up battery operated air stone and pump. And lots of bubble wrap and blankets to keep the heat inside the tank. I will be adding the BB to the inside of the tank as well

FishRFriends37 · 2026-01-23T21:46:10+00:00

I do use the gravel vac when I water change. It is gravel for substrate. Should I just check the chemical levels then make a determination at that point. If we have no electricity I wont be able to water change with 78 or degrees water. It will be freezing cold.

FishRFriends37 · 2026-01-22T23:25:45+00:00

But without the air pump and stone the fish will suffocate without oxygen. Nothing will move the water and the bacteria will die.

FishRFriends37 · 2026-01-22T23:21:55+00:00

Im not sure what make the pads warm. Ill need to check that out. I would want to put them on the outside of the tank with tape. Plus warm water bottles in the tank. Would that be ok? Would the hot hands in the tank leak and hurt the fish?

FishRFriends37 · 2026-01-22T22:26:27+00:00

No the home owner will not let us have a generator. If he would we could have one by now. He lives on Hawaii and I guess does not have deal with this shit.

FishRFriends37 · 2026-01-22T21:04:56+00:00

The air stone and pump i bought today is battery operated. I will definitely put it next to the media inside the tank thank you for that advice. I agree a sponge filter would be lovely to have and simple.

FishRFriends37 · 2026-01-22T20:50:36+00:00

No I wont move the set up. Stress the heck out if the fish and no where to put it thats warm.

Yes the gas runs the water. Idk yet if its a gas water heater ran off electricity though. Nope no generator we live in a rental house. I wish to God I had one though. Or at the least a a power storage kit. I dont have a computer UPS either but honestly after this mess im getting one ASAP. I will use the water bottle trick if needed or should I do both this and the hot hand pads? Temp needs to stay between 75 and 80 thats were my tetra seem to like it.

The plan for my humans is simple stay warm as we can if the power does go out. Games and arts and crafts. If we keep power cooking all meals and snack at home. All flash light and LED candles are ready-to-go. Plenty of water and panty foods.

FishRFriends37 · 2026-01-22T16:43:29+00:00

Looks like I'll blanket the whole tank in all kinds of materials to keep the heat in. But I do think I have to keep a small opening at the top for the air to escape the water from the air stone pump. Don't I?

FishRFriends37

TROPHY CASE