Screw up of screw ups; SPS RTN

[Littlebigaj]

I'm actually much smarter than this next story will portray me. usually I do a water change with buckets and a syphon, however I decided to make one 30 gallon batch of water and use a pump to drain and fill my system.

Long story short... I ended up draining a little more water than I should of, so my batch of water did not meet the required fill level. Okay no big deal I'll make another 5-10 gallons. So I unplugged the pump and started making more water and went on the computer. About 15-20 minutes later I came back out and I never took the hose out of the tank, so the water reversed syphoned intself back out of the tank leaving me with about 1/2 of a 125Gallon tank.

I had no choice but to make a lot of water as quickly as possible and fill up a few buckets from the LFS. Now about 3-4 of my SPS colonies are RTNing really really bad. I cut them, fragged them, however it's still receeding. Any suggestions? I also just switched my lighting from 3x250w, to 3x150w and I think with everything going on im in trouble.

 

[m and m]

Said to say i think your in a bad spot i would try to get some water from a good system.

 

[110reef]

I would try to get all your corals under the water that you have left. Then add some circulation. Take your time and make up new water, the tank will be OK for a day if you get everything under water. Leave the lights off. Then add the new water tomorrow after you have got it made and adjusted just right.

 

[surfjeepzx]

Too much too fast, Sounds like the corals were exposed too long to air, then new water with differing parameters and a change of light thrown in for good measure. Damage control is the order of the day. If I were in your shoes I would find someone to keep frags of all your colonies in the event the rtn cant be stopped. Even then it may be too late but that would be your best course of action at the moment.

 

[Littlebigaj]

This happened 2 days ago, it's already filled back up and no signs of stopping the RTN.

 

[soccerbag]

Sorry to hear man. I'm guessing your salinity is out of wack with all of that quick makeup water. I would try and get the salinity stable and salvage what you can. Good luck and I hope you can salvage some of your pieces!

 

[subielover]

I would be running carbon, if you aren't already. Make up some freshwater and let it aerate 24 hours, and do a large water change. I would try to dilute as much as possible.

 

[CoralBandit]

toss em if they keep going trust me, lesson learned you can rebuild, you may want to call Tariq or John and see if they can take some of your pieces that you frag. The ones that started will likely not stop without a + environment change... I know their systems are not like ours but its better than yours atm. I will be in O town Fri... I guess thursday night if I can.

 

[surfjeepzx]

What's the latest update on your tank? Were you able to save it? I just saw your tank pics in another post, hopefully you're able to pull out of the nose dive.

 

[Littlebigaj]

The system is stable, I had to frag a couple colonies down to almost nothing, but everything (including those frags) seems to be doing well. Thanks for the advice everyone, even though throwing away almost entire colonies was painful

 

[slapshot]

Once RTN starts it is really difficult to stop it. No matter what the cause, it seems to feed on its self. I have yet to find a way to stop it. I am sorry that is a drag. I have seen many a SPS tank just go poof with RTN. My guess is it will run its coarse in a couple of weeks and then you can see whats left. Best of luck.

 

[Znut Reefer]

I hope everything recovers for you.

 

[Littlebigaj]

Casualties

 

[wishntoboutside]

Sorry to hear. I hope all things level out. Some times in this hobbie I feel we all learn the hard way. if you dont mind me asking how many colonies did you lose. some of those were nice sized..turaki?

 

[Littlebigaj]

I lost 4 good sized colonies, and my desalwii, green slimer, and hot pink millepora are on their way out.

 

[schminksbro]

Sorry to hear about your situation. All I can say is run heavy carbon and change it often. There seems to be some kind of chemical reaction with RTN. Carbon may help to pull whatever chemical triggers the reaction.

 

[LegoZ81]

hit me up via PM if you want more green slimer I'll hit you up with a decent sized piece for only cost of shipping if you can't get one local for cheaper. I'll try to get a pic tonight.

 

[Littlebigaj]

Awesome gesture, I cut a small piece of mine off from the tip today and tossed the rest. I might take you up on that offer if it doesn't make it. Thanks!

 

[waxy]

Yea RTN's, as if the corals aren't going through enough stress as it is.

Sorry to hear about the loss, I'm sure everyone else here has bit a bullet one way or another.

 

[kungfujoe]

yeah sorry to hear that.. i also heard that adding water that hasnt had time to disolve all the salt can actualy cause the sps to rtn.. not sure but i had a bad experience similar to urs.