Tank Crash

[radiata]

I've had my own salt water (not family) since 1986. In 2008 I had a massive crash of a 400g amazing SPS tank. I spent days on the couch in front of the tank with tears rolling down my cheeks. The loss of life, the loss of time, the impossibility to replace were just overwhelming.

There were still some fish and corals left alive - but I couldn't deal with it. I got the water clear and then turned off the lights and all the accessory equipment and left the return pump and heaters running. The tank sat like this, just a brown box for about 9 months. Then I got diagnosed with Kidney Cancer.

I didn't want to deal with cancer without my tank. So I turned on the lights. I scrubbed an inch thick algae layer off the front of the tank and holy moly - There were damsels, and tangs, and a few angels and other fish swimming around in the darkness. All the aquascape was covered in a leafy brown turf algae. I drained the tank down to a few inches and brought the pressure washer into the house and just pressure washed all the rock in place. I used a wet dry vac to suck up as much as the algae on the bottom, filled the tank back up with water and a week later started adding fish and corals back.

In March of 2022, we sufferred a huge loss of the fish on a Thursday from a treatment of Salifert Flatworm Exit (130+ fish lost) and then the corals 30hrs later when the seam of the sump blew and the topoff filled the system back up with fresh water. We had a packed 1350g system at the time.

It was about 3 weeks of being in shock when I told my wife, I think it's time to take a break from the hobby for awhile. We have some other things going on in life as well that are challenges. My wife didn't even take a breath. She said, "Go Order the Tank that you want. Get a new tank. You're not taking a break.".

We'd been living with a 560g tank for almost 2 years that was an emergency swap out. And while the 560g was beautiful, it was 10x2.5x36t - It was impossible to work on as a reef tank. It was a gorgeous reef. But when you are 5.6' and round as a beer keg, your stubby lil arms don't reach very far into a 36 deep tank for mounting corals or picking up things that get knocked over.

So we called Titan Aquatic Exhibits and ordered a new 750g 120x48x30t and started our current tank build.

We are fortunate, in that while the money loss of March 2022 was outrageous, it didn't affect our life. And we could build a new tank and quickly restock it and not have to alter our lifestyle.

Now 7 months after filling the 750 with water, I'm glad my wife didn't let me take a break.

We had fully mature liverock and a running system. So 12 hours after adding water to the tank we had fish and the first couple corals in it. A week later we had 30 new corals in it. A week after that there were 60+ corals in it. For the first 4 months, even without a budget limit on buying corals, it was a overwhelming to see all that empty aquascape and imagine the patience it would take till I had a mature reef tank again. At about the 5.5 month mark we were up to 350+ frags in the tank and there was finally enough corals and fish (140+) so that I had a beautiful aquarium again.

Now I just need to be patient and let things grow and grow and grow.

Dave B


Dave B

WOW! You've really got a supportive wife! I hope all works out well for the both of you!

 

[metalle]

Yes, it happens at different levels for many reasons. To me a few times. It’s painful however you will learn something for sure and I just come back and take it one step at a time an integrate what I learned. It always turns out better.

 

[shakacuz]

if it crashes id restart but probably a smaller foot print than a 40B. custom dimensions to provide more room in my apartment(main reason i’m struggling to upgrade to a 75G)

 

[DIYreefer]

my 'crash' was caused by a controller.... which I will never rely on again - except for monitoring

I can only speak for myself in this regard, but I feel like I am a MUCH better reefer with as little automation as possible. Not only do I stay more "in tune" with my tanks, but I rest easier knowing that something like an $11 float switch failure isn't going to crash my tanks. I haven't used a controller since the aqua controller III (pretty sure that's what it was called), and use a series of t 3 under sized heaters to maintain temperature. No ATO either.

The only aspect of my tanks that is set it and forget it, truly automated, are my lights. I do utilize dosing pumps for top off and various dosing (one tank gets AFR and the other gets AFR and kalk), but only keep enough in the reservoirs to handle 2 or 3 days worth of dosing. Not enough to cause a major tank crash.

I don't truly trust any piece of equipment, regardless of who makes it. Well, I do trust the old maxijet pumps. I've got one that has been in use basically continuously for nearly 20 years and it still works perfectly fine. The first run of vortechs were rock solid as well. I've got an old blue box mp20 with the original wet side that is still running in my tank right now. I actually had two of them, but sent one back to ecotech for them to have since they didn't actually have any themselves (wwc has a youtube video touring the ecotech facility and they mentioned that they wanted an old mp20 if anyone had one... I'm the guy that did haha) They sent me a new mp40 in exchange. Which I then traded away for a few frags, lol.

 

[MnFish1]

I can only speak for myself in this regard, but I feel like I am a MUCH better reefer with as little automation as possible. Not only do I stay more "in tune" with my tanks, but I rest easier knowing that something like an $11 float switch failure isn't going to crash my tanks. I haven't used a controller since the aqua controller III (pretty sure that's what it was called), and use a series of t 3 under sized heaters to maintain temperature. No ATO either.

The only aspect of my tanks that is set it and forget it, truly automated, are my lights. I do utilize dosing pumps for top off and various dosing (one tank gets AFR and the other gets AFR and kalk), but only keep enough in the reservoirs to handle 2 or 3 days worth of dosing. Not enough to cause a major tank crash.

I don't truly trust any piece of equipment, regardless of who makes it. Well, I do trust the old maxijet pumps. I've got one that has been in use basically continuously for nearly 20 years and it still works perfectly fine. The first run of vortechs were rock solid as well. I've got an old blue box mp20 with the original wet side that is still running in my tank right now. I actually had two of them, but sent one back to ecotech for them to have since they didn't actually have any themselves (wwc has a youtube video touring the ecotech facility and they mentioned that they wanted an old mp20 if anyone had one... I'm the guy that did haha) They sent me a new mp40 in exchange. Which I then traded away for a few frags, lol.

I agree - The electrical source (energy bar) failed - so the power was cut to every piece of equipment. There were no alerts sent to me - though the controller itself was still on - and was reading all of the items as it should. Of course - this happened shortly after we left on vacation. Now - I just have the measured pH and Temp - and a plain surge suppressor to power all the devices.

 

[McPuff]

If it was a coral crash, I'd probably just simplify the system and go FOWLR for a while.

If it was a total crash with corals and fish, I'd make more drastic changes. Probably plan an upgrade of some type... either build a larger tank but save all rock in a Rubbermaid bin. Or I'd just modify my existing tank overflow. Going bigger would probably mean going simpler. Maybe a moray. Probably a couple triggers, puffers, and a couple other randoms.

I think about this at least once a week. :0)

 

[vetteguy53081]

If it was a coral crash, I'd probably just simplify the system and go FOWLR for a while.

If it was a total crash with corals and fish, I'd make more drastic changes. Probably plan an upgrade of some type... either build a larger tank but save all rock in a Rubbermaid bin. Or I'd just modify my existing tank overflow. Going bigger would probably mean going simpler. Maybe a moray. Probably a couple triggers, puffers, and a couple other randoms.

I think about this at least once a week. :0)

I brought this topic up as it’s that time of the year where many of us travel, camp, visit and do weekend activities and is the time we may experience such disaster

 

[McPuff]

I brought this topic up as it’s that time of the year where many of us travel, camp, visit and do weekend activities and is the time we may experience such disaster

Indeed! I just returned from travel a week ago.

 

[KrisReef]

My Gal has these subtle ways of reminding me what's important in my life

My love life took a crash when my wife was suffering the trials of breast cancer. She is still alive but I don’t know who she is after mental health issues wiped out our marriage and family life that was a blessing before cancer and is now something else. I was not prepared for what has happened and keeping my covenant vow has been a struggle for both of us. I don’t have a significant other or any romantic sidekicks and I’ve had to go with the punches and depression that now plague my existence.

Anyone who has read many of my posts probably thinks I’m a crazy and happy guy. I posted a few things about this on a local forum and no one’s bothered to reply, “nothing serious about him” but no concern for my invitations to take a dive off the bridge tomorrow was a disappointment? I posted to find someone local with time to hang out and it appears that everyone has other things going on that keep them busy with no time to spend with me. Tough times and more to come, but this thread is about recovery.
My plan is to keep going forward and if I can I will bury my wife someday and then I will be looking for a gal (lucky guy @exnisstech !) that knows how to play reef Scrabble with me. I’m glad to know that they are out there if I need them, and if I outlive this relationship.

I know I would just keep going, work through the depression and keep the vision in my head of what it is going to be again. I am sure I would consider it a sign from god that it might be time for a size upgrade.

My tank got a stick plague that I couldn’t identify the cause and I eventually just let it go and the tank walls became covered in coralline algae so that I didn’t have to see what was going on with it. I kept feeding the fish and eventually my wife started asking for a little fish tank in the house so that she could see the fish again.

It is not a year old yet but the fish look happy now in the house. I did not finish cleaning it when I got home from my last call out but I’m a lot more patient and humble from all of the changes we’ve had.

My reef has slowly been getting rebooted since Last November and I have scraped a few portholes through the encrusting reef organisms so that I can keep my eye on the coral. So far the killing plague has not reappeared and the sticks and clams are trying to catch up with the blue ridge colony that has survived the plague and is now breaking the surface in the back corner of the tank.

I’ve tried to scape the front panel clean a few times in the last couple of years but the rapidly growing algae fills it back in before I finish. If it wants to grow then I guess I should keep on trying to reef and see if I can’t get our life back together?
Looks horrible in daylight!

I have a blue picture from a few weeks back somewhere

The green dot was a hitchhiker on a chunk of Australian live rock that I added to improve the micro biome. The aiptasia are getting out of hand again but I have a Copperband butterfly that is about to move from the other tank into the main reef to eat them into submission.

He has finished the garden of glass nems that were covering this tank. I wish he would eat bubble algae too.
So I have been familiar with minor crashes and I keep thinking about quitting but what fun would that be?

 

[vetteguy53081]

My love life took a crash when my wife was suffering the trials of breast cancer. She is still alive but I don’t know who she is after mental health issues wiped out our marriage and family life that was a blessing before cancer and is now something else. I was not prepared for what has happened and keeping my covenant vow has been a struggle for both of us. I don’t have a significant other or any romantic sidekicks and I’ve had to go with the punches and depression that now plague my existence.

Anyone who has read many of my posts probably thinks I’m a crazy and happy guy. I posted a few things about this on a local forum and no one’s bothered to reply, “nothing serious about him” but no concern for my invitations to take a dive off the bridge tomorrow was a disappointment? I posted to find someone local with time to hang out and it appears that everyone has other things going on that keep them busy with no time to spend with me. Tough times and more to come, but this thread is about recovery.
My plan is to keep going forward and if I can I will bury my wife someday and then I will be looking for a gal (lucky guy @exnisstech !) that knows how to play reef Scrabble with me. I’m glad to know that they are out there if I need them, and if I outlive this relationship.


My tank got a stick plague that I couldn’t identify the cause and I eventually just let it go and the tank walls became covered in coralline algae so that I didn’t have to see what was going on with it. I kept feeding the fish and eventually my wife started asking for a little fish tank in the house so that she could see the fish again.

It is not a year old yet but the fish look happy now in the house. I did not finish cleaning it when I got home from my last call out but I’m a lot more patient and humble from all of the changes we’ve had.

My reef has slowly been getting rebooted since Last November and I have scraped a few portholes through the encrusting reef organisms so that I can keep my eye on the coral. So far the killing plague has not reappeared and the sticks and clams are trying to catch up with the blue ridge colony that has survived the plague and is now breaking the surface in the back corner of the tank.

I’ve tried to scape the front panel clean a few times in the last couple of years but the rapidly growing algae fills it back in before I finish. If it wants to grow then I guess I should keep on trying to reef and see if I can’t get our life back together?
Looks horrible in daylight!

I have a blue picture from a few weeks back somewhere

The green dot was a hitchhiker on a chunk of Australian live rock that I added to improve the micro biome. The aiptasia are getting out of hand again but I have a Copperband butterfly that is about to move from the other tank into the main reef to eat them into submission.

He has finished the garden of glass nems that were covering this tank. I wish he would eat bubble algae too.
So I have been familiar with minor crashes and I keep thinking about quitting but what fun would that be?

I admire both your courage and commitment as well as prioritizing what is most important. Its takes a strong person and blessed person to endure what you have and wish I were close to offer you a hand.
One thing that revolves around this hobby and is a requirement is TIME. You have time and will get your tank up to where you want it
Please hang in there

 

[kevgib67]

My love life took a crash when my wife was suffering the trials of breast cancer. She is still alive but I don’t know who she is after mental health issues wiped out our marriage and family life that was a blessing before cancer and is now something else. I was not prepared for what has happened and keeping my covenant vow has been a struggle for both of us. I don’t have a significant other or any romantic sidekicks and I’ve had to go with the punches and depression that now plague my existence.

Anyone who has read many of my posts probably thinks I’m a crazy and happy guy. I posted a few things about this on a local forum and no one’s bothered to reply, “nothing serious about him” but no concern for my invitations to take a dive off the bridge tomorrow was a disappointment? I posted to find someone local with time to hang out and it appears that everyone has other things going on that keep them busy with no time to spend with me. Tough times and more to come, but this thread is about recovery.
My plan is to keep going forward and if I can I will bury my wife someday and then I will be looking for a gal (lucky guy @exnisstech !) that knows how to play reef Scrabble with me. I’m glad to know that they are out there if I need them, and if I outlive this relationship.


My tank got a stick plague that I couldn’t identify the cause and I eventually just let it go and the tank walls became covered in coralline algae so that I didn’t have to see what was going on with it. I kept feeding the fish and eventually my wife started asking for a little fish tank in the house so that she could see the fish again.

It is not a year old yet but the fish look happy now in the house. I did not finish cleaning it when I got home from my last call out but I’m a lot more patient and humble from all of the changes we’ve had.

My reef has slowly been getting rebooted since Last November and I have scraped a few portholes through the encrusting reef organisms so that I can keep my eye on the coral. So far the killing plague has not reappeared and the sticks and clams are trying to catch up with the blue ridge colony that has survived the plague and is now breaking the surface in the back corner of the tank.

I’ve tried to scape the front panel clean a few times in the last couple of years but the rapidly growing algae fills it back in before I finish. If it wants to grow then I guess I should keep on trying to reef and see if I can’t get our life back together?
Looks horrible in daylight!

I have a blue picture from a few weeks back somewhere

The green dot was a hitchhiker on a chunk of Australian live rock that I added to improve the micro biome. The aiptasia are getting out of hand again but I have a Copperband butterfly that is about to move from the other tank into the main reef to eat them into submission.

He has finished the garden of glass nems that were covering this tank. I wish he would eat bubble algae too.
So I have been familiar with minor crashes and I keep thinking about quitting but what fun would that be?

Wow, I am so sorry for your struggles! It broke my heart reading your text and makes a tank crash seem so insignificant. I’m not comparing my troubles with yours, had to close my practice of 19 years, 2 years in a bed on a transplant list, chemo etc but you will come out on the other side with a greater appreciation for everything. Can’t wait to see your tank restored to the best it has ever looked. I have you in my prayers!

 

[KrisReef]

Wow, I am so sorry for your struggles! It broke my heart reading your text and makes a tank crash seem so insignificant. I’m not comparing my troubles with yours, had to close my practice of 19 years, 2 years in a bed on a transplant list, chemo etc but you will come out on the other side with a greater appreciation for everything. Can’t wait to see your tank restored to the best it has ever looked. I have you in my prayers!

I think having a tank crash is great preparation for getting older and facing what comes next. Keeps me humble, and thanks for the kind words. Kris