Irma killed power and tank crashed.

I would think your main tank is going to be a mess for a while. It may be advisable to start a small tank or even in 5 gallon bucket's to put your corals in with fresh saltwater. and a bubbler or powerhead for movement and oxygen. Because your fish aren't the only thing that died, you'll have that animals little creatures algae, all building up ammonia and nitrates. Remove the healthy and living now to a separate area. Then wait for your tank to stabilize. Just a thought
 
Sorry to hear this. I would do 50% water change and run double normal carbon and test levels very few days, i would remove any corals that appear to be die. Did anything survie?
 
I would think your main tank is going to be a mess for a while. It may be advisable to start a small tank or even in 5 gallon bucket's to put your corals in with fresh saltwater. and a bubbler or powerhead for movement and oxygen. Because your fish aren't the only thing that died, you'll have that animals little creatures algae, all building up ammonia and nitrates. Remove the healthy and living now to a separate area. Then wait for your tank to stabilize. Just a thought
i Agree
 
Personally I would do a bunch of larger water changes since you don't have many corals left (sorry about that). Get as much of that gross water out as fast as possible. Make sure you clean the sand bed and blow off the rocks. If this isn't a possibility turn your reactor with carbon in it to high!
 
Some corals may look dead but will regrow sometimes with different morphs. Best of luck
 
I completely agree with SuperDragon. Irma was a devastating storm and as much as it hurts to say this, the reef tank has to take a back seat. I have been there before. Sure, there are things you can do to salvage very little, but you will be dedicated to the tank - not feasible if you have other property damage or family or even a job to tend to. I would cut the losses now and accept it. Anything still alive should be moved to a smaller tank that is more feasible to keep oxygenated.

Forget carbon and ozone. The organic load is far more than you can imagine. You will need to do a 100% water change and re-cycle the tank just as though everything was new. The cycle may take longer depending on how much cryptic life you were housing - again, you may not even know.

Next, relax. Remember the little lives lost but plan new. Now is your time to think about how you would do it again, what would you not do again, what must you do this time. Take your time and do not rush back in.

A few people might be turned off from what may seem like a cold response, but I speak from experience. My 90 gallon reef was my pride and joy before kids and I lost it in Hurricane Gustav due to a 10 day power outage. That was almost 10 years but I am still in and strong with the hobby. Because of that event, I think of power outages. I settled on 2 Vortech pumps and I have 4 batteries - this covers me for 72 hours. I also have a 6k portable generator for refrigerators and tvs. I can use this to run the vortechs as well. Nothing else really matters. I may add an air pump for the refugium to prevent it from going anoxic during a power outage.

Remember, family first, property and employment second. Get the reef going again when you clear your mind, plan it out and enjoy the hobby again. That day will come, I can promise you that.
 
I'm happy to see you had anything survive! You have some little fighters in there.
 
I completely agree with SuperDragon. Irma was a devastating storm and as much as it hurts to say this, the reef tank has to take a back seat. I have been there before. Sure, there are things you can do to salvage very little, but you will be dedicated to the tank - not feasible if you have other property damage or family or even a job to tend to. I would cut the losses now and accept it. Anything still alive should be moved to a smaller tank that is more feasible to keep oxygenated.

Forget carbon and ozone. The organic load is far more than you can imagine. You will need to do a 100% water change and re-cycle the tank just as though everything was new. The cycle may take longer depending on how much cryptic life you were housing - again, you may not even know.

Next, relax. Remember the little lives lost but plan new. Now is your time to think about how you would do it again, what would you not do again, what must you do this time. Take your time and do not rush back in.

A few people might be turned off from what may seem like a cold response, but I speak from experience. My 90 gallon reef was my pride and joy before kids and I lost it in Hurricane Gustav due to a 10 day power outage. That was almost 10 years but I am still in and strong with the hobby. Because of that event, I think of power outages. I settled on 2 Vortech pumps and I have 4 batteries - this covers me for 72 hours. I also have a 6k portable generator for refrigerators and tvs. I can use this to run the vortechs as well. Nothing else really matters. I may add an air pump for the refugium to prevent it from going anoxic during a power outage.

Remember, family first, property and employment second. Get the reef going again when you clear your mind, plan it out and enjoy the hobby again. That day will come, I can promise you that.
Thanks for taking the time and sharing your story.
Starting over seems more likely the best scenario. Is it safe to keep the rocks? Sand?
 
This was the most recent photo I took. It was a beauty.
21077756_10159416884610637_4554257794162709586_n.jpg
 
A little late to the post but I saw WWC was selling a battery operated pump that would circulate water from the back side of the overfolw to the display. Nothing like a dedicated return pump, but would keep you going for a while.. I will definately be getting one, even with a generator...... You never know.
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

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  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
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