Help, base fertiliser leakage...

[jamesw]

Hi everyone, I found some threads talking about this but not what to do afterwards.

I was doing some 'renovation' in my 2ft tank and I was inserting the background styroform. The water was getting murky, brownish kinda color. At first I thought it was all the gung from the fishes but after a few water changes, I think it is the base fertiliser. I let it settle for a day and the water has cleared slightly.

I removed all my fishes and plant prior to the reno job so they are safe. I also have two full pails of the 'mature' water.

The question is:
1. Do I siphon as much out as I can plus changing water or do I clean out the whole tank and dump away the base fertiliser and gravel and buy new ones?

2. I feel like using my canister filter to 'suck' away the fertiliser. Should I remove my 3 filter mediums because they are already 'matured' and put in new ones just for the fertiliser?

Thanks for any help.
James

[Simon]

just a change of water will do, dun worry about fertilizer poisoning.. if u use commerical planted tank base fertilizer, u shldnt have to worry

[jamesw]

Thanks Simon, the brand is JBL AquaBasics plus from PetMart. Is this ok?

[Simon]

yup, shldnt pose anything problem... its quite common []

[sherchoo]

As mentioned, water change will do around 50%. Let the fert settle and siphon of the the gravel surface in the next water change. In the meantime, monitor your NO3 and PO4 levels, we dun want an algae bloom.