Again with the fish.

So while I was gone in Arizona the fish tank took a turn for the worse. The water started turning green and cloudy, and fish were dying. Rick, being the brilliant fishkeeper he is, bought more fish, which, of course, also died.

All that was left in the tank when I returned were the polka dotted platy (named "Silly Pilly") and the new frog Rick had just bought (named "Junior," again). We took a water sample to Petco and learned that the ammonia levels in the water were near dangerous (likely caused by Violet's overzealous feeding habits and the subsequent fish deaths). We were told to drain the tank, 1/4 tank at a time, while vacuuming the gravel to remove the food particles and fecal residue (mmmm feces). We also added a little cup with sea salt in there that would help reduce the ammonia levels and soften the water, since Vegas water is so hard.

It took two full days, but the tank was once again clean and the fish and frog were happy. I was set to go out and get a couple more fish for Violet soon. Then last night as Rick and I enjoyed a quiet evening while the children were playing upstairs, his Spidey sense started tingling. "The kids are too quiet. I'll go check on them."

Upon arriving upstairs in Violet's room, he found Riley standing atop her dresser with an empty can of fish food, which had dumped all over the dresser and floor and in the tank. What we think happened was that he got up there and found the can, unscrewing the lid, which caused the food to go everywhere. In an effort to clean up, he was scooping it back up in the jar and pouring it into the tank.

Yep, that same tank I just had to clean due to the whole "overfeeding" thing.

This time, however, the tank was full of not just flakes but LOTS of crushed powdery food, which reeeeeeeallly clouded it up. We vacuumed the gravel about six times and were pretty confident we got it all, but as the evening wore on the tank got cloudier and cloudier. By morning, Silly Pilly was gone. Junior was still enjoying the tank, though. Strange little froggy.

I went back to the fish store. The ammonia levels were now officially "off the charts." The manager recommended a full tank cleaning. I scooped Junior out (took a few tries - that little bugger can really jump!), and put him in a bucket. I emptied the tank, cleaned out the filter completely (there was some naaaaaaaaasty film in there), cleaned the rocks, and set everything back up.
In the living room, on the niche shelf.
FARRRRRRRR away from Riley's grasp.
Junior seems to be enjoying his new environment.
We got a few more fish, including another froggy friend for Junior.
The tank is clean and clear.

For now.