Trying to recover from crash

[djbetterly]

So a couple weeks ago I had an RODI issue, had six gallons of fresh water dumped into my tank and slowly everything but the fish have died. Before I left for the holiday I cleaned out all the dead coral. I returned from holiday today to find the equivalent of a bubble bath of bubbles engulfing my sump from the skimmer.

What might cause that amount of bubbles?

Any suggestions of action to take following a crash to stabilize everything?

I noticed a lot more algae than I've ever had before as well.

I have not run a parameter check yet, I'll dig into things tomorrow when I'm a bit less frustrated.

@twilliard

 

[twilliard]

So a couple weeks ago I had an RODI issue, had six gallons of fresh water dumped into my tank and slowly everything but the fish have died. Before I left for the holiday I cleaned out all the dead coral. I returned from holiday today to find the equivalent of a bubble bath of bubbles engulfing my sump from the skimmer.

What might cause that amount of bubbles?

Any suggestions of action to take following a crash to stabilize everything?

I noticed a lot more algae than I've ever had before as well.

I have not run a parameter check yet, I'll dig into things tomorrow when I'm a bit less frustrated.

@twilliard

Massive die off
The organic matter in the water is in such large proportion that you are getting the bubble bath syndrome.
Water changes in large volumes and let the bacteria grow, populate to aid in the consumption.

 

[Zero Nitrates]

Sorry man that really stinks.

 

[twilliard]

Sorry kids LOL
So Dustin what happened? I cant remember the volume of your tank but 6 gallons of fresh water did this?
Do you have a QT in place for any corals that may make it?
With the massive amounts of organics things will further decline.

 

[djbetterly]

My total volume is about 60 gallons. I can't be sure it was 6 six gallons, but it was at least that amount.

When I tested the salinity it didn't even register on my refractometer.

No QT tank unfortunately.

I'll try and get started on water changes tomorrow.

This has been such a painful experience.

 

[twilliard]

My total volume is about 60 gallons. I can't be sure it was 6 six gallons, but it was at least that amount.

When I tested the salinity it didn't even register on my refractometer.

No QT tank unfortunately.

I'll try and get started on water changes tomorrow.

This has been such a painful experience.

Oh man Dustin I am so sorry to hear this!
Didn't even read in the refractometer
Anything I can do to help I am here!

 

[TonapahNorth]

Sorry to hear this. Chin up. You obviously care. That's a good sign. Love and learn.

 

[el_oscuro]

So a couple weeks ago I had an RODI issue, had six gallons of fresh water dumped into my tank and slowly everything but the fish have died. Before I left for the holiday I cleaned out all the dead coral. I returned from holiday today to find the equivalent of a bubble bath of bubbles engulfing my sump from the skimmer.

What might cause that amount of bubbles?

Any suggestions of action to take following a crash to stabilize everything?

I noticed a lot more algae than I've ever had before as well.

I have not run a parameter check yet, I'll dig into things tomorrow when I'm a bit less frustrated.

@twilliard

Dude,
Make sure your salinity is correct. If you don't already have a salinity refractometer, get one. Those cheesy gauges are worthless. Get some good saltwater from your LFS. An aqualifter is your friend. It will transfer about a gallon every 20 minutes, making sure you don't change anything too fast.

And finally, get some API marine algaefix. This stuff works. I had a total crash which nuked all of my corals and fish, leaving ugly brown water. Only my CUC survived. Various treatments, total water changes did nothing. It would just turn brown again in about an hour after changing my water. Nothing worked. Then I put this in, and within 10 minutes my protein skimmer exploded. An hour later, my water was clear and I haven't looked back.

 

[djbetterly]

Would it hurt to keep the lights off for a few days to help limit the algae?

 

[twilliard]

Would it hurt to keep the lights off for a few days to help limit the algae?

It wouldn't hurt to leave them off. Just take it slow and it will all come back together.

 

[djbetterly]

Did a big water change over the weekend and hit all the algae with peroxide. Still getting some incredibly smelly skimmate, so I think I'm going to wait a while longer before adding any new coral.

Also, I think this is a good time to start with the new triton core7 elements. I'm guessing I don't have much for alk needs at the moment, but I have to start some where.

I can't even imagine what our world would be like if the oceans end up looking like my tank some day...I really hope that never happens.