It was a cozy afternoon, weather at a comfortable -50 outside. I had nothing planned so apparently I found nothing better to do then knock my automatic feeder into my 30 gallons community tank. All its content was spilled (a mix of various food including flakes, pellets, etc.)
Within half an hour, I had a bucket filled with 1/4 of the soiled water and the rest was fast dripped acclimated from another aquarium. I moved my chili rasboras and my 2 honey gourami inside, as well as some rocks, driftwood, plants.
Then began the nightmare to catch all my corydoras (accidentally injured one. Feeling so bad) and move them inside the 5 gallons bucket as well as the heater and the sponge filter.
I am wondering what dhould be the next steps.
1 - A lot of food got burried into the substrate when I unrooted plants, tried to catch fish, moved decor/driftwood, etc. Must I get rid of it and replace it? I did vacuum it but as I said, food got under/mixed in. I am afraid if too much food is left, it will rot and create ammonia or gas pocket.
2 - should I leave the fish in the 5 gallons bucket (2 honey gourami, 12 chili rasboras, 16 corydoras) in the 5 gallons bucket and do heavy daily WC or should I scatter them around in my fishroom?
3 - should the injured cory be separated or as they are already stressed, just put a lot of catappa leaves in the bucket?
4 - What are the steps to get my aquarium back running? Do daily large WC? If I keep my HoB filter running, will it stay cycled or should I start the cycle all over?
I welcome any tips, suggestions, recommandations and pity party.