Made a stupid mistake & need help!

OK, I had a critter in my LR and yesterday took two large pieces of my LR out of the tank and used tonic water to flush out the seamonster...didn't realize that the tonic water had quinine + fructose etc. This morning I looked at my tank and it's nothing but a clouded mess - I did a 20% water change and it still is quite cloudy - will this kill my fish? Or anemone? Shoud I do another water change? I left the two pieces of LR in because I figured that by now they are pretty flushed out (obviously since my tank is so cloudy!) - is there any hope?

 

I would take the live rock out and wash it under water from your tank. Put some in a bucket and rinse it. Also, is there any sponge growing on the live rock?. If so, you need to remove it from the rock with a brush or something. It will foul your water because sponges can't be out of the water or they will die and contaminate the water.
I'M NOT A PROFESSIONAL, but I believe something died and is causing your tank to have a reaction. Maybe you need to remove the rock and re cure it again. You may want to do another small water change(don't go crazy because you will cause other problems like with dramatic change with ph which is very detrimental to shrimps, urchins and crabs especially). Also, add some activated carbon to help clear up the water.
Hope this helps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

How much tonic water did you put in your tank?

 

I didn't actually put the tonic water in the tank, just poured it over the two pieces of LR; I did then pour tank water over them before putting them back into the tank....so really there shouldn't have been too much tonic water left on them when they went back in....

 

Hi Vicki I have never used tonic water in that way, So I am not positive if it will or will not cause any problems, But In my opinion I would say that is that small amount I don't believe that you will have any ill effects. I think that the cloudiness you are seeing it caused by the fact that Quinine is florescent, So your actinic lights are making it Flores causing the cloudy appearance in your tank. I do believe that it will clear up in time. JMO John

 

Hi Vicki,

Use PURA filtration pads to soak everything up. Replace the pads every 24 hours until your tank clears up.

 

I'll do that...Thank you all! Yes, I know now that I should only use the tonic water to mix with vodka for my own consumption LOL

I'll try to stop freaking out now

 

TRUE. Just be sure you do that part comes AFTER working on your tank. ;D

 

LOL, yes, I'd better try to stay sober long enough to get the tank right :

 

There is only about 20 Mg of Quinine in a bottle of tonic water, not very much.

I'd rather mix my tonic with saphire gin.