I Messed Up?

[thebrick1996]

Total newbie here. I spent a generous amount of time on research prior to setting up my reef, but also decided I was smarter than literally everyone in all the threads and videos I saw saying "Do NOT get an rbta as a beginner".

Long story short, rbta shredded in pump. immediately did 20% water change, new carbon in the filter. Ammonia levels are zero and the fish seem totally fine.

Is it a waiting game for my tank to be nuked or is it salvageable?

55gal, only established about a month, 2 ocillaris, couple scarlet reef hermits and a skunk cleaner shrimp.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Sounds like you reacted quickly. If you done the water change/running carbon and ammonia is at zero you should be ok. Just monitor for a day or so. Look for some covers for your power heads so you’re ready when it’s time to try again.

 

[Jesse Sunday]

Glad it's seeming to work out for you! Did the Nem "walk" into it? Was he attached somewhere but let go? I have two large BTAs in my 32g and they seem happy where they are (recently split but only "walked" 5 inches away) but I have concerns if they let go and float up to my powerheads.

 

[randomfishdude]

You should be good. We had kne get completely shredded and did nofthing and tak was fine.

 

[thebrick1996]

Glad it's seeming to work out for you! Did the Nem "walk" into it? Was he attached somewhere but let go? I have two large BTAs in my 32g and they seem happy where they are (recently split but only "walked" 5 inches away) but I have concerns if they let go and float up to my powerhead

He was attached to some LifeRock and I think he may have just detached. He had been walking around a tiny bit but not much before this.

 

[exnisstech]

Total newbie here. I spent a generous amount of time on research prior to setting up my reef, but also decided I was smarter than literally everyone in all the threads and videos I saw saying "Do NOT get an rbta as a beginner".

Hey at least your willing to take responsibility for your actions which is more than many do these days. As mentioned maybe run some carbon but you should be fine.
I would wait a while longer before adding another. They really do better in a more mature tank. Mine always split when the tank was young but now 8 years later they rarely split and the only time one moves is when they start getting crowded because they are getting large.
Early in the game I went from 3 to 48 in my 180g all from splits. Just saying

 

[Cthulukelele]

Bubble tips in general are unlikely to completely nuke a tank if the get shredded in a powerhead. You took reasonable steps and things should be okay just react if any behaviors change. The stronger stinging larger nems are usually the ones more likely to nuke a tank when they get powerhead shredded.


So in the end be glad you're a newbie who made this mistake by adding a more "beginner friendly" nem like a bubble tip instead of a hadoni or a gigantea! We all make a few excited overzealous decisions when we start out, and they're great humbling events that are good times to grow as a reefer!