I accidentally dumped too much food in an aquarium.

[janeskid]

I accidentally dumped too much food in an aquarium.

My wife has two three inch black moors in a 30 gallon tank and she usually cares for them but she is away this week. I went to feed them and inadvertently spilled about a teaspoon full of fine dust from the bottom of the granules container.

Should I do anything? My wife will return and routine maintenance on Monday.

[pjaldave]

I would say don't do anything and probably don't feed them until 2 days have passed.

[Goes to 11!]

A. Feed them no more and call your wife and fess up.

B. Do a 75% water change... BUT, Only if you are capable and have successfully done it before. If you haven't done it or have no idea what I am talking about - Do nothing.

C. Tell your wife that healthy fish can easily go a week without eating [<-- Fact] so she need not put this responsibility on you again during future trips.

How long until she returns?

[CONE_YAK]

75%.......really?

[Cliff]

75%.......really?

Yup

I change that in my tank as a part of my weekly maintenance. Large water changes go a very long way to keep very good water parameters.

A large water change would be even more important in this situation provided it is done correctly

[Goes to 11!]

I'd wager a 75% WC is going to be more helpful than simply posting "really?", You obviously disagree but have a nice day anyway.

[imma24]

A larger water change is a good idea with excess food in the tank to remove anything that is uneaten - uneaten food leads to rot which leads to ammonia in the tank.

[CONE_YAK]

Actually, I was just shocked that it would require that big of a change. I dont pretend to be an expert on this matter which is why I visit this forum. So to answer your question, no I do not disagree, I was just suprised at the amount.

[~firefly~]

50% per week WCs are fairly standard with experienced fish-keepers (minimum...I'd say), so doing a 75% change because you think you might have poisoned the water somewhat is just sensible.

Gone are the days where fish-keepers never change water in their tanks (thank goodness). I have a fish keeping book from the 1970s. It's very comprehensive on species lists and has lots of information about setting up a tank - but nothing about water testing (other thank pH and hardness) and nothing about cycling a tank before stocking it. Times have changed for the better with the introduction of a little science!

[Goes to 11!]

Ah... My apologies, The implied pause read really snarky to me. My bad. [I must need coffee]

I would of explained it better if I thought you were just asking, Much like the posters between have.