911 need help fast !! I need someone to house 4 fish for me for 2 weeks plzzzzz

shawna1972

shawna1972

New member
I have demo of walls going on in my house for the 180 inwall and drywall going up on the others......The house was built in the 1800's and since the demo started the fish have been so bad not eating,not swimming, and just not doing well ......Ive been doing water changes ect but I think whatever is in the walls (could be lead, could be plaster dust,could be asbestos ) got into my salt bucket and the tank and major demo of that wall is happening tomorrow am and my hippo is on his side and I dont know what to do! I had the tank covered, they are in a seperate room and still the dust got in and on the tan k under the plastic........If anyone can help out Im in south buffalo off seneca st and the fish are in the 55 so they can be easily put into a bucket for transport. if you cant help out if you can pass me off to anyone who can that would be great! Than ks

Sorry for the grammer and typos ,Im trying to hurry and post this up to get some help plz call me if you can help out at 585- 689-3982
 
Can you do a large water change? Run fresh carbon? If you need water or carbon get in touch. I have plenty of both I can give you.
 
quick update:

Spoke with Shawna for a bit.

The house is on the older side, strong possibility of asbestos and lead. The fish are two rooms over from where the demo (lathe and plaster walls) is happening. part of the construction has the doors removed. Even with tarping the doorways dust is making it into the fish room and everywhere else in the house.

The fish (hippo, Scopas, and two clowns) were meticulously moved into this home a week ago along with live rock which was kept in water. Initially the fish were in a small tank and have been moved into a larger 55.

The tank was covered during the construction, unfortunately dust still made it into the tank.

water:
-1.022 salinity
-temp 78
-treating with amquel in case the tank is trying to cycle
-air pump running on the tank (pulling inside air)
-external wheel filter running with carbon

All fish are breathing heavy and are on the bottom

Best guess is there is something in the dust from the construction that is getting into the tank.

Tomorrow the fish might be moving to a new home for a while, trying to make it through the night.

My thoughts (please add!)
* do another 18 gallon water change [largest bin available] (aerate water with air pump for an hour and bring up to temperature)
* replace carbon
* keep water circulating
* maintain amquel dosing per directions (no more)
* dust should be settled, leave tank open for the night
* place the air pump outside a window running to the air stone in the tank. push a towel into the crack of the window to seal it off. close all the other windows
* before construction starts tomorrow, seal the tank off (tape plastic around tank leaving a little for the air to push out.

I normally would never suggest sealing a tank, this might call for that measure.
 
wondering if the tank should be drained half way down (about 30 gallons) and then do the water change to get a larger water change at once. fish should be fine for a day in lower water level.
 
IMO a water change is needed star and run a good carbon... Cross your fingers.
I have a 29 gallon tank you can use to temporarily house the fish in a fresh batch of salt water... Not sure if that helps.
 
I would check the PH. Plaster is essentially cement so you have finely powdered concrete floating around your house. Asbestos wouldn't do anything quickly but if you suspect it's airborne you need to address that for your own health. Lead shouldn't get airborne in large quantities.

Keep changing water, running carbon and check that PH!
 
Worst comes to worst...call a Haz Wat or asbestos contractor about renting a machine called a negative air pressure machine....moves alot of air extracting thru a hepa filter to an outside location....works great for working and demo work....Old occupations...if you hang plastic and seal with duct tape making a tent around the area your working in....this thing will actually pull the plastic walls inward creating a negative pressure...if you need info or help setting it up...hollar 716 531 1602 lee...good luck
 
Blurry said:
wondering if the tank should be drained half way down (about 30 gallons) and then do the water change to get a larger water change at once. fish should be fine for a day in lower water level.[/QUOTEY

Yeah I did what you suggested :) thanks again for all the help. Now I can just wait and hope they make it through till tomorrow :)
Click to expand...
 
Shawna, I have a 45g in the basement that's got some seawater, a small PC light, and a heater. When necessary I use it as a QT tank, although I haven't done so for close to 6 months. I also have some rock I can add to prevent cycling issues. The things I'm lacking to help you are a powerhead and time (wicked busy at work/home currently). I'll be up for the next couple hours if you can't sleep and will be up and out quickly in the am to work. I can drop back by the house on lunch (I work at UB south and live in north buffalo) and will return home around 6ish. If you want to use the tank, you're more than welcome. I wish I could be more help/more available. Wing me a PM if interested
 
briangsxr1000 said:
IMO a water change is needed star and run a good carbon... Cross your fingers.
I have a 29 gallon tank you can use to temporarily house the fish in a fresh batch of salt water... Not sure if that helps.
Click to expand...


Thanks so much for coming down and helping out soooooooooo appreciated!
was nice to meet you as well :)
Oh u left your filter tube here.
 
Thanks everyone for the help.The reason I couldnt take the offers on an extra tank was because I need them out of this house asap while the walls are being taken down and because what ever this dust is thats all over everything is making them sick :( Thanks for all the offers though :) they will be at tmz's tomorrow afternoon >"Thanks tom!" but yeah I hope to get this done as quick as possible and get them back in the 180 :) Again ty to everyone who chimed in :)
 
sorry to hear about your misfortune, seems like things are on the upside now hope it all works out. good luck with the renovations as well! by the way everyone here that offered help almost brings a tear to my eye, this is more than just a forum, its family!
 
Update,
I missed this thread somehow but Gary M and Pascal let me know about it. I picked the fish up today ;they are doing very well and eating well in the new tank(qt tank at my house) and water. The hippo was on it's side and ate only one brine shrimp during the first feeding but recovered within an hour or two and ate well this evening. The ocellaris and Scopas tang appear fine. Doesn't look like they need any treatment.:fish2::fish1::bounce2::D
 
Yep, a mystery. Something was clearly wrong in the water;there are a few posibilities to ponder:

Amquell may have caused a precipitous ph drop.

Ammonia spike from die off for rock in transit.

Toxin from construction vapors or dust. .

Can't really test for anything at this point to get a better clue.

No chance of disease here,imo These fish were well treated on entry to the aquarium and thriving there for 4 years without new additions.They are clean and healthy with vibrant color and no signs of parasites at all. All responded very well to new water and air.


They look fine this am.
 
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