toxins in water

Question
Hi Chris,
I actually have a pet store myself. I have been set up for 2 years with hardly any problems so far. My ph is checked regularly and our cleaning routine seems to have been working well. Yesterday, the offices next door were renovating and using glues and other building adhesives for their new flooring. A funny smell came through the air-conditioning and when i arrived to work this morning a large majority of the fish were sick or dead. (They were perfectly healthy yesterday morning). I have approached my property manager who seems to think that the two are highly unlikely to be connected. Can you help me? - It seemed to only really affect the 2 tanks that had their lids left open, and we have never lost such a large amount of fish over night.

Answer
Hi Emma;

How awful! I think it is very possible it poisoned the fish. The problem is proving it. If you have small birds in your store (such as finches or canaries) and they were okay, it may have been a coincidence. Small birds are often affected much more seriously than fish. Their unique respiratory systems hold air in the airsacs longer than other animals hold it in their lungs. They absorb toxins more readily into their bloodstream with their way of breathing.

The lids were open so the fish may have just been more vulnerable though, even if you do have birds. If a vent is very close to the tanks maybe the toxin floated downward through the air and settled on the tank water. Hard to say. Wish I could be more helpful.

I would drain the affected tanks to be sure all the possible toxin is gone. Replace the filter media too, especially carbon and zeolite if there is any used in the affected tanks.

I hope things go well for you again.......

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins