Tank Crash

[vetteguy53081]

This is pretty relevant to me since I just had a crash. My wifes cats managed to submerge one of my flex-armed lights into the tank and it looked like this introduced voltage and copper into the water column. I lost most of my established corals and 1 fish. 1 of my other SPS colonies is hanging by a thread with some bleaching and STN occuring, but some of the arms still have good polyp extension.

I used this as an opportunity to upgrade my lighting and also purchased a Hydros controller and Gyre pump.

For some reason this seemed to motivate me more than depress me. I've always been competitive and like a good challenge.

Great attitude and hope it exceeds your expectations

 

[kevgib67]

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.

 

[MnFish1]

If your tank would crash, would you take it down, or restart?

Why or Why not ??

Me. . .. I would restart. One thing with this hobby. . . . . Might as well stay as those who do leave. . . . . .

I would let it sit (as I have - for several months - with water changes. Until I decide to add more coral - there would be IMHO no reason to 'restart' - and BTW - my 'crash' was caused by a controller.... which I will never rely on again - except for monitoring

 

[vetteguy53081]

I would let it sit (as I have - for several months - with water changes. Until I decide to add more coral - there would be IMHO no reason to 'restart' - and BTW - my 'crash' was caused by a controller.... which I will never rely on again - except for monitoring

With so many vested in this hobby, that was my curiosity

 

[gbroadbridge]

If your tank would crash, would you take it down, or restart?

Why or Why not ??

Me. . .. I would restart. One thing with this hobby. . . . . Might as well stay as those who do leave. . . . . .

 

[gbroadbridge]

If my tank were to ever crash, it would probably mean that I was not being diligent, or had become sloppy with maintenance or testing and let things start to slide.

Once a tank enters a death spiral it is very tricky to get it back on track.

I'd probably figure that the hobby was not engaging me as much as is used to and it would be in the best interest of the animals involved that I move on and close that chapter.

I have plenty of other hobbies calling out for me to spend money on them.

 

[exnisstech]

I have 3 tanks running, well 4 counting the 40g breeder that houses roaming nems and misfits from the other tanks. Maybe I would tear down the one that crashed and just run with the other ones left. I'm retired and with the exception of my dogs this is pretty much what I do to stay sane. I don't travel, have no social life (by choice), no friends except my pups so this is it. I don't think I could just totally quit or I probably would go insane.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Just curious because it kind of relates to tank crashes but do you guys replace equipment at certain intervals rather then waiting until something breaks? Like return pumps or heaters? Do you just swap them out after a few years just to be safe? Doser?...basically I'm wondering if you guys take steps like that before a mechanical failure results in crashed tank? I know routine maintenance can extend equipment life and reliability.

Yeah, I replace one heater every year (there are two in parallel).
The ATO is replaced every 2 years.

There is a brand new return pump in a box in the garage in case that nightmare occurs, as well as a spare 4 head doser.

The LFS who are on call when I travel (6 out of every 10 weeks away overseas) know where they all are and how to replace them.

Anything else would not be an immediate problem.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have 3 tanks running, well 4 counting the 40g breeder that houses roaming nems and misfits from the other tanks. Maybe I would tear down the one that crashed and just run with the other ones left. I'm retired and with the exception of my dogs this is pretty much what I do to stay sane. I don't travel, have no social life (by choice), no friends except my pups so this is it. I don't think I could just totally quit or I probably would go insane.

Makes sense

 

[DaneGer21]

Just lost my tank a few weeks ago after 15yrs in the hobby. It hurts; bad.

But, after that long of being successful, I can’t give up…

 

[Rmckoy]

Agree- After what I spent, im not quitting now !

I agree !
im in too far to throw in the towel now .

 

[exnisstech]

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

 

[Dine]

Depends why it crashed. Something that would render my rocks no good i would start over. But as long as I don’t need to recycle I’d just keep going as usual.

If I had to recycle id keep Going also but I may get a new tank and rebuild with all my “wish I would have done this” lists.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Just lost my tank a few weeks ago after 15yrs in the hobby. It hurts; bad.

But, after that long of being successful, I can’t give up…

Oh no - A site I hate to see.

 

[billyocean]

Just start over I guess. I'm sure it will happen one day. I've had tanks go to hell because I didn't really care and my attention was a million other places. These days I probably over test and stay quite vigilant but things can happen. Personally, it would suck but then again it's probably just a matter of time for all us.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Just start over I guess. I'm sure it will happen one day. I've had tanks go to hell because I didn't really care and my attention was a million other places. These days I probably over test and stay quite vigilant but things can happen. Personally, it would suck but then again it's probably just a matter of time for all us.

Summer time is the most challenging as many of us are enjoying activities, festivals, picnics and travel

 

[Slocke]

If your tank would crash, would you take it down, or restart?

Why or Why not ??

Me. . .. I would restart. One thing with this hobby. . . . . Might as well stay as those who do leave. . . . . .

I’ve been thinking about moving to the west coast. That would probably be the straw.

 

[MnFish1]

I would not throw in the towel - there is no reason to do so: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/a-mess-with-followup.971518/

 

[docwells]

I've rebuilt after 2 crashes.

First crash was after a hurricane. No power at home for almost 2 week. Even with portable generator, could not save it.

Second crash, was lightning strike near my house. It fried the circuit tank was on and my internet line. Apex controller was hardwired and was fried along with alot of other equipment.

After both crashes, I took inventory of what I could improve in my tank and rebuilt. Hardest part is loss of livestock that I had for many years.

 

[Lavey29]

Yeah, I replace one heater every year (there are two in parallel).
The ATO is replaced every 2 years.

There is a brand new return pump in a box in the garage in case that nightmare occurs, as well as a spare 4 head doser.

The LFS who are on call when I travel (6 out of every 10 weeks away overseas) know where they all are and how to replace them.

Anything else would not be an immediate problem.

Now that's good redundancy