CREATED A NIGHTMARE, AUTOFEEDER SPILL

[Stingray122]

Spilled a good portion of my auto feeder into the tank while I was trying to adjust it. Wondering the best way to go about cleanup. I have been turkey basting a lot of it out, along with turning my pumps up to keep it suspended off the bottom so it can be collected by my filter socks. What should be my course of action? Making water as I type this, as the water I had prepared has gone bad with a lot of precipitation. I have 2 clowns, an sps, and a torch in here. Should I just gravel vac like crazy? What should I do ;Nailbiting??

 

[CJS80]

You can use some small tubing to suck it out without pulling as much water out like a gravel vac would.

 

[Stingray122]

I have a 150gpd BRS RODI unit, with a booster pump so I can make about 20 gallons in 2.5 hours. My tank is a 40 breeder with a trigger systems 30in sump. My skimmers doing work which is good, and I do not see that much of it in the tank anymore, but I still think I am going to do some gravel vaccing once I get some water made. Gosh, right as I get my tank looking all pretty too. I hope it doesnt cause an algae outbreak. As far as ammonia testing, should I test often? My tank is 7 months old, about 65 pounds of liverock in here.

 

[KrisReef]

Use a gravel vac or siphon hose to pick up the loose food and put the outflow into your filter socks. (Target unfeeding)

 

[Stingray122]

How fast do pellets break down? Should I change out socks within the hour here? I only have about 4 pairs of them, and 1 pair needs to be washed already.

 

[vetteguy53081]

do a slight water change then siphon lightly during process and net any remaining loose waste in tank

 

[blue.flyzz]

if you're keeping it suspended why not run a net back and forth and try to collect as much as you can, rinse and repeat?

 

[Stingray122]

Update since I've gotten a few comments. I ended up getting a lot of it out, my filter sock was disgusting with the amount of food. I also did a 15 gallon water change, my normal amount, just a tad earlier than my typical schedule. No ammonia spike, no algae outbreak yet (hopefully never). Skimmer is back to producing its normal amount as well, so I think all is good. Thanks everyone for the input!

Edit: 15 gallon WC is a 25%, I have a 40 breeder with a Trigger Systems 30in Sump (holds about 19 gallons).

 

[kinetic]

I've done this before. What I learned is: never mess with that much food above an open tank. Also, never fill it up with so much food, it can eventually go bad anyway.

I'll keep about a month or so worth of food in it max. Just need to remember to refill it before going on longer vacations.