Fish Lovers 2.0

[Dakotak]

I had a nightmare scenario yesterday.

I left my apartment on Friday morning for a short visit to my family for Easter. After doing water changes and my weekly tests on both my tanks (10 and 20 gal), I left. When I returned Sunday night, to my horror, my 10 gal divided betta tank had less than an inch of water in it.
Quickly, my roommates moved my desk back to see where the water had gone while I desperately searched for my fish. To my amazement, all three of the bettas housed in that tank AND my mystery snail are alive and fine, which is the main thing I care about! I did loose some plants since they were without water for quite some time, and I’m going to need a new tank.

I feel incredibly guilty about what’s happened. Although the water didn’t go through the ceiling of the apartment below us, it completely soaked the wood and carpet on my floor. We pulled back the first layer of carpet and have had fans and towels on it all night. I can only hope the carpet doesn’t mold.

My family doesn’t support my fish keeping hobby and I was seriously considering getting a third tank later this year, because I don’t like the idea of housing 3 bettas in my 10 gallon at all. Now I think my fish just might have to wait. I can’t risk this ever happening again, and I’m SO fortunate it wasn’t my sorority tank. I’m confident that if I had been keeping any fish other than bettas, they would have all died in that tiny amount of water.

Has anyone else ever experienced something similar? My tank wasn’t even a year old so I have no idea what caused it to leak. Please tell me that this is a rare occurrence and a freak accident or I might have to give up my fish…

It sounds like the seals weren't properly done. If the tank itself is fairly new I would contact the store you got it from and have it replaced. If its not new then the silicone was probably old. Its not something that happens a lot but it can happen. Just like getting a flat tire or your pipes leaking the threat is always there but aslong as the tank is made properly you will be fine.

I wouldn't let that determine if you kept your fish or not. Its not your fault it happened and its not something you can control.
I would look into getting renters insurance that covers water damage and your tanks.

[Jadeghost]

I had a nightmare scenario yesterday.

I left my apartment on Friday morning for a short visit to my family for Easter. After doing water changes and my weekly tests on both my tanks (10 and 20 gal), I left. When I returned Sunday night, to my horror, my 10 gal divided betta tank had less than an inch of water in it.
Quickly, my roommates moved my desk back to see where the water had gone while I desperately searched for my fish. To my amazement, all three of the bettas housed in that tank AND my mystery snail are alive and fine, which is the main thing I care about! I did loose some plants since they were without water for quite some time, and I’m going to need a new tank.

I feel incredibly guilty about what’s happened. Although the water didn’t go through the ceiling of the apartment below us, it completely soaked the wood and carpet on my floor. We pulled back the first layer of carpet and have had fans and towels on it all night. I can only hope the carpet doesn’t mold.

My family doesn’t support my fish keeping hobby and I was seriously considering getting a third tank later this year, because I don’t like the idea of housing 3 bettas in my 10 gallon at all. Now I think my fish just might have to wait. I can’t risk this ever happening again, and I’m SO fortunate it wasn’t my sorority tank. I’m confident that if I had been keeping any fish other than bettas, they would have all died in that tiny amount of water.

Has anyone else ever experienced something similar? My tank wasn’t even a year old so I have no idea what caused it to leak. Please tell me that this is a rare occurrence and a freak accident or I might have to give up my fish…

It sounds like the seals weren't properly done. If the tank itself is fairly new I would contact the store you got it from and have it replaced. If its not new then the silicone was probably old. Its not something that happens a lot but it can happen. Just like getting a flat tire or your pipes leaking the threat is always there but aslong as the tank is made properly you will be fine.

I wouldn't let that determine if you kept your fish or not. Its not your fault it happened and its not something you can control.
I would look into getting renters insurance that covers water damage and your tanks.

It might not be my choice if I keep my fish or not. While I'm not a minor, my parents still have control of my finances since I'm in school and unable to hold a job that would give me a liveable income. If they find out what happened and if there ends up being any damage to my apartment, they might force me to get rid of my fish since you're right, the risk is there.

The tank wasn't even a year old. My other tank is much, much older and still holding strong. It was definitely a silicone issue, since there are no visible cracks or anything. I doubt I can get the tank replaced for free, but I plan on just buying a cheap one from Petco.

I'm just thankful my fish were all okay!

[HorseLover!]

Ollie isn't floating anymore which is good.

But is it normal for him to only be swimming up and down the front pane of glass, like not swimming anywhere else?

[.Lupin.]

Ollie isn't floating anymore which is good.

But is it normal for him to only be swimming up and down the front pane of glass, like not swimming anywhere else?

Oh good, did the fast work?

And in my experience, yes. Goldfish-type fish seem to be quite sociable, or at least the ryukin I had was, and they love to be at the front of the glass when you're there. Chances are if you sit quietly where he can't see you and watch, he'll eventually meander around the tank.

[HorseLover!]

@ .Lupin @Ollie

Yeah the fasting worked

I tried that- I set a camera up while we where out of the house and he just doesn't stop.

[.Lupin.]

@ .Lupin @Ollie

Yeah the fasting worked

I tried that- I set a camera up while we where out of the house and he just doesn't stop.

Good, good. Do you feed pellets or flakes? Now that you know that air in his stomach is the problem, you have to take steps to reduce it. Pellets and flakes can both put excess air in his stomach - pellets from expanding if they're not presoaked, and flakes because goldfish tend to gulp them off the surface. If you feed pellets, make sure you're presoaking them and see if that makes a difference and keeps the gas away. If you feed flakes, try mixing them in a little cup with water and releasing them at the bottom of the tank, where he has to forage for them instead of just blindly gulping off of the surface and getting a lot of air in the process. It's a little more work, but worth it if he doesn't have any problems from now on.

I wouldn't worry too much, honestly. As long as he's active and seems happy, he should be fine. If the tank isn't very heavily planted, he should feel comfortable swimming everywhere in the tank if he decides to. ^^

ETA: One thing I will say is that he should get a bigger tank at some point, sooner rather than later. I looked back at your pictures and he's a decent sized fish now, and has the potential to grow to a foot long. You say you have him in a ten gallon because his tank smashed, no? He might be feeling crowded which is why he only stays at the front pane.

[Amy43]

Okay, I'm wondering about my new heater.

I put it in a couple days ago, and I've been checking the thermometer frequently.

It did go from 68 up to 70, but I'm wondering if it's from the natural temp in the room going up and not the heater.

I've put it up a few tiny notches (not very much though), but I'm not sure it's working.

How long does it take to make a noticeable temp change?

[Jadeghost]

Good news: I was told there's not going to be any permanent damage to my floor, so I don't have to tell my parents about what happened to my fish!

Now I just need to work on getting a new tank set up and cycled as quickly as I can. Could I just let the sponge filter I used for the tank that broke run in my existing tank for a few days and then add it to my new tank when it's ready? I would think that would be enough time for the beneficial bacteria to grow on it since my other tank is already cycled.

[Dakotak]

Good news: I was told there's not going to be any permanent damage to my floor, so I don't have to tell my parents about what happened to my fish!

Now I just need to work on getting a new tank set up and cycled as quickly as I can. Could I just let the sponge filter I used for the tank that broke run in my existing tank for a few days and then add it to my new tank when it's ready? I would think that would be enough time for the beneficial bacteria to grow on it since my other tank is already cycled.

Im glad to hear that!!

In theory it should work. Keep an eye on waste levels though, you more than likely will have a cycle bump, and be ready to do water changes in case of a cycle bump.

[Jadeghost]

Good news: I was told there's not going to be any permanent damage to my floor, so I don't have to tell my parents about what happened to my fish!

Now I just need to work on getting a new tank set up and cycled as quickly as I can. Could I just let the sponge filter I used for the tank that broke run in my existing tank for a few days and then add it to my new tank when it's ready? I would think that would be enough time for the beneficial bacteria to grow on it since my other tank is already cycled.

Im glad to hear that!!

In theory it should work. Keep an eye on waste levels though, you more than likely will have a cycle bump, and be ready to do water changes in case of a cycle bump.

Yeah, I'll for sure keep an eye on the waste levels and test everything daily until I know the cycle has been reestablished. I hate having to rely on something like this but I need to get a new tank ASAP. Right now my males are floating in cups in my sorority tank and it's obvious both genders are getting really stressed out from being able to see each other. I wish I had cups that weren't clear so I could block their view...