You guys aren't going to believe this!!!

**jayshine** · 12th Jun 2009, 00:32

Ok, this is going to sound ridiculous!! But it happened. My cousin dropped his ashtray into my 4ft tank.

I nearly bashed his head into the wall. Any help guys?

There's loads of plants and just a couple of tetras (10). Just sucked out as much ash as I could. Stopped when the water was almost half-filled. Filled it back-up.
Gosh, been googling it and sadly (thankfully!) no one has had a related problem. Any help is greatly appreciated!!

Toxin removers? I am so lost. Been working on the tank for 3 months and now this.................

**Jungle-mania** · 12th Jun 2009, 01:59

Siphon as much dirt as possible, use an internal filter and some carbon to suck as much dirt as you can. You can also use the Oceanfree clearwater solution to coagulate as much suspended sediments. Lastly, remove the tetras for the moment till the water clears.

**AquaZinYaw** · 12th Jun 2009, 08:36

Change water, use Activated carbon and replace often. Ash & charcoal are not toxic but they can act as fertilizer for plants. But other chemicals such as nicotine are very toxic. Good luck!

**Jitticus** · 12th Jun 2009, 12:06

Most toxins found in the ash don't cause damage to plants, but to bacteria, that would be a different matter. Try adding purigen AND activated carbon into your prefilter and that should clear your troubles.

**jayshine** · 24th Jun 2009, 08:47

Hey, thanks for all the help you guys! Apparently, the plants really weren't affected! I cleared out as much as I could AquMedi's Clean & Clear. The filter already had Activated Carbon, I was trying to clear up the Organic Waste in my water. A white film was forming on the surface.

All is well now, thanks for the help.

**mordrake** · 24th Jun 2009, 13:01

10 tetras in a 4ft? do a 90% WC and clean out your filter.
although this may restart the cycle, your plants will take care of any ammonia spike leaving your fish safe.

**jayshine** · 24th Jun 2009, 22:12

Yes, it does sound a little sad - 10 tetras! My intention now is mostly the plants. The tetras are merely there because people keep coming over and asking where the fish are.
I haven't really decided on what fish to keep just yet.

It has been nearly 2 weeks since the incident. 2 tetras died the next day, leaving me 8! Ha!, like 10 wasn't bad enuf in a 4 feet tank!

They've been fine ever since. The plants are doing great too. I have at least 9 species of plants in my tank - all of them are growing like they're on steroids except this peculiar moss I tied to a log - and quite a generous amount too...

It hasn't grown at all - I think the Uncle at Lim Chu Kang farm called it "Fire Moss", although it really doesn't look like it is.

It was in his tank (the one sponsored by AQ). It's not dead or dying either - just not growing. Any thoughts you guys?

**mordrake** · 24th Jun 2009, 23:15

could it be fissiden? Notoriously slow growth at first but picks up speed in a few wks.

**jayshine** · 25th Jun 2009, 09:06

Originally Posted by mordrake

could it be fissiden? Notoriously slow growth at first but picks up speed in a few wks.

No Melvin, it isn't. It looks more likes it's in the java, christmas moss family. I'll take a photo as soon as I can

**jayshine** · 26th Jun 2009, 10:51

Ok, here's some pics of the moss
You can download the images via the links at the bottom if you prefer..

I meant to cut the access nylon strings, just never got ard to it!!

Another Shot:

Here's some other plants I have that I would really appreciate a name for if possible:

And another, cause I'm a little lost on how to prune this:

The last one. Growing really well but if anyone knows it's name...