Emergency!!!!! What to do

[rgmatzke]

My 3 year old son just put dish soap into my tank. What do I do? I don't want to change most my water out and then not work anyway. It is a 45 gal. salt water, 40lbs rock and sand with 5 fish. thank

 

[quarryshark]

First line of defense, water change. I would do 50% for starters.
Usually I would also suggest running carbon, but I'm not sure how it reacts with soap.
Anyone??
How much did he put in?

 

[rgmatzke]

dont know but suds are pouring out from the top of the skimmer.

 

[quarryshark]

Unless you can move the fish to another established tank, I would start water changing and shut off the skimmer for a while. Need to at the very least dilute it. Holy smokes!!! 8O

 

[rgmatzke]

I have everything shut off right now. I also took out everthing and gave them a rinsing. There are suds floating around on the top of the water and the fish are acting strange.

 

[rgmatzke]

I have another tank cycling right now but I don't know if it is ready. Also, wont the soap transfer to the other tank if I move the fish.

 

[quarryshark]

Whats the ammonia level in the other tank? It may be the right move, if it looks like the soap is gonna kill them.
I wouldn't worry about the little soap on them, but you could always SW dip them on the way.

 

[rgmatzke]

The amonia is on the low side... i have 80 lbs. from liverocks.com in my 75 gal. now. Maybe the rock helped it cycle?

 

[rgmatzke]

Thanks a bunch. I am going to transfer the fish and keep doing water changes to try and save the rock.

 

[quarryshark]

Sorry, had to step away.
Thats what I would do in this situation.
Good luck!!!!!!

 

[Nitrate]

If its antibacterial soap I would move the fish right now, take your chances on the new tank.

 

[Foible]

How are your fish doing? OK, I hope.

 

[neide]

Bump! What was the outcome?