HELP Dish Detergent in Tank

[dory2004]

It happens, trust me. So I'd say 1 Tab to 1 gallon of freshly made salt water, dumped in the aquarium about 10am today - the skimmer is still foaming like crazy. Is everything dead? If so, i can quit standing there scooping the bubbles out......

 

[Cove Beach]

What all do you have in the tank? Other than a big water change and stand back and watch. Could you remove critters to a temp home?

 

[dory2004]

Live rock, mushrooms, lsb, crab, snails, goby, star -
Everytime i move the water it sud's up
Is there any home concoction that will kill the detergent? it's phosphate free palmolive but has lavender and ylang-ylang perfumes in it.

 

[Cove Beach]

Not that i know of, best bet would be big water change and fast! Or move animals to a rubbermaid.

 

[dory2004]

Is there a chemist in the audience - how do I get the tank 'clean' to start over? does it / if it comes to that

 

[sohal1025]

Sorry to hear that, hope it all works out for you!!!!!

 

[dory2004]

I just turned the lights back on (I'd turned them off to lesson the stress - if possible!) and I see the crab and a snail - that's a start!

 

[Freed]

Keep your skimmer going as much as possible without flooding anything. Do a few large water changes if possible.

 

[itZme]

I would try to take out anything that you cared a lot about and put it into a bucket or rubbermaid as suggested by others. Then work on getting the water changed out. I would try to do 50% changes and do them as often as you can. At this point it may be better to just use tap water than waiting for an RO system to make enough water. I would say if you could do two 75% changes today it should dilute it enough to let most everything live.

You may also want to post in the "Reef Chemistry" section of ReefCentral for a more qualified answer.

Good Luck!

-- Kevin

 

[DiscoReefRover]

Im Still wondering how did dish detergent get in your tank .....scratching head cant come up with a good solution other than what has already been said .....Change out that water even if its tap water gotta be better than dish soap..

Sean

 

[serpentman]

I would say your skimmer has the best chance of getting out the detergent. Not sure if activated carbon would help.

Given the amount of suds that are being generated, its a valid concern. I would guess, you are at least looking at reduced gas exchange.

Personally, I would mix enough water for a massive water change. Then I would let the skimmer go nuts and replace with clean SW.

 

[Akronviper]

When the front loading washing machines start leaving suds on clothes after its done your supposed run an empty load with salt to kill the suds, but you already have salt water. Hmm seems odd I would perform a few 50% water changes in the next couple of days cause soap usually don't just evaporate it usually builds up so you will have to dilute it.
Now not only do you have to worry about salt creep but now soap scum also

 

[dory2004]

A chemist has responded - soap does not kill, so that's comforting. He said to try for an almost 100% water change to get it out; a couple mroe water changes might/probably will be necessary. The skimmer will continue to make bubbles until the water is clear so be sure to change that water too.

 

[GSMguy]

how did this happen again?????

 

[dory2004]

How did it happen? Gee, i don't want to give out any trade secrets......... let's just say "things happen"
The tank looks good, the skimmer is running full throttle and not spitting out bubbles. I did some seascaping while the water was down. The shrooms are opening up, and I've seen a lot of critters!
Thank you everyone!! water changes was the secret. If something drastic occurs in the next few days I'll let you know.