Need help asap

[bjledbetter]

I just got home from vacation and my aunt was watching my tank and feeding my fish. :squigglemouth: My po4 is off the chart high and there is fish food a inch thick on the bottom of the tank in spots that is rotting and its all in my rocks. My fish and corals look stressed but are all still alive. HA is starting to grow on most of my rock and my powerheads. I'm pretty sure that most of my sandbed is going to have to come out because of the rotten food that has decayed over the last week and settled into the sand bed. I'm not sure how to go about this so any help is welcome.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I'd begin with a large water change (50%), and in the process siphon out as much rotting food as you can....and "vacuum" the sand.

 

[miamiangler]

I use a canister filter for cleaning in the tank . Do a water change after the cleanup . I did a 5gal water change every other day for a week . had a similar problem .

 

[miamiangler]

I forgot A turkey baster works for the hard to reach areas

 

[Reefing Madness]

You can use a powerhead to blow out the rock area to try and get the stuck stuff.

 

[mike007]

I have i hose with a larger plastic end that i vacumn my gravel with which should help get the food off the bottom. Use a baster to stir up the rest and then do a water change. You might need to do more than one water change. Hope it turns out okay for you.