Tank Disaster Update

Reinhold · 03-29-2002, 11:40 AM

Here is the list of casualties so far in my tank disaster of unknown cause. Dead so far:

Blue Damsel
Yellow Damsel
Royal Gramma
Purple Tang
Anchor coral
Torch coral
All of my snails
Large Brittle star
Blue Linkia Star
Gonipora coral
Pagoda coral

All of my LR is covered with 1-2" of hair algae. My Oscellaris Clown and Elegance coral are dying.

My water parameters:

Temp = 80 degrees F
SG = 1.025
pH = 8.4
Ammonia = 0
Nitrites = 0
Nitrates = 0
Calcium = 420
Phosphorus = 0

I'm contemplating dismantling the whole tank. The question then is, do I start over or give it up for awhile.

reefhead · 03-30-2002, 12:02 AM

what test kits are you using--I find it impossible that you have hair algae and no PO4

If you fall down get RIGHT back up!

tendar · 03-30-2002, 12:08 AM

Sounds like now is a good time to upgrade to new tank if you where ever thinking about it. I wouldnt let this incident stop you from reefing. It sounds like things started going bad with one death the let sit to long unnoticed then started a chain reaction. Very rare occurence.
If not up grade then I would pullout every thing and basically start the tank over from scratch. I would pull all the live rock out and clean it up best as you can and put it in a large container with heater, power head and skimmer covered so no light gets in for a mounth and let the hair algea all die out or just turn all the lights off on the tank and do a very large water change like most of it so it will recycle to a new tank with nothing in it but live rock and sand and let it go for a mounth or so and no feedings or water changes or anything and the hair should go away with any other algeas and the tank should settle back to normal then start from the begining.

mrok12 · 03-30-2002, 02:16 AM

I think reefhead is on the right track here. Hobbyist test kits do not measure organic phosphates for the most part. Let your tank be your guide. I think we all get a little algea from time to time though. If things are covered thiugh I would test for dissolved organics. Also do you have a reactor on this tank? I agree though with the others that a disaster is only truly a disaster if you give up. Clean the rock change the water and tweak until you figure it out. Keep a weekly log and note any changes so you can trace it back to what could have happened. Did you change food, additives, add new animals? Keep us posted and DON"T GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MROK12

Reinhold · 03-30-2002, 11:11 AM

My calcium test kit is a Salifert. The phosphorus kit is Hagen.

My Remora Pro skimmer has been pulling out a lot of very dark gunk. I kept finding dead, decomposing snails everywhere. I pulled them out as soon as I found them.

It all started when my Blue Linckia star died. I then went on vacation. My daughter was in charge of feeding and dosing B-Ionic. I gave her careful instructions on these tasks.

I really don't want to quit, but recovering from this will take a tremendous amount of work. I intend to try though.

In order to start over, I need to find temporary homes for my remaining healthy corals (huge leathers and Colts.) Do you think it is safe for someone else to place them in their tank, or will the corals carry problems with them?

mrok12 · 03-30-2002, 11:30 AM

I think it is worth saving them and they should be fine if they still look healthy. I just got back from Las Vegas and am lucky I guess that nothing happened. Don't give up.

MROK12

03-29-2002, 11:40 AM	#1
Reinhold Mayor Join Date: May 2001 Location: USA Posts: 941	Tank Disaster Update Here is the list of casualties so far in my tank disaster of unknown cause. Dead so far: Blue Damsel Yellow Damsel Royal Gramma Purple Tang Anchor coral Torch coral All of my snails Large Brittle star Blue Linkia Star Gonipora coral Pagoda coral All of my LR is covered with 1-2" of hair algae. My Oscellaris Clown and Elegance coral are dying. My water parameters: Temp = 80 degrees F SG = 1.025 pH = 8.4 Ammonia = 0 Nitrites = 0 Nitrates = 0 Calcium = 420 Phosphorus = 0 I'm contemplating dismantling the whole tank. The question then is, do I start over or give it up for awhile.

03-30-2002, 12:02 AM	#2
reefhead Governor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: st.petersburg,Fl. Posts: 1,513	what test kits are you using--I find it impossible that you have hair algae and no PO4 If you fall down get RIGHT back up! __________________ Joseph Abrams Enjoy Being, LLC www.NanoReefCentral.com

03-30-2002, 12:08 AM	#3
tendar Governor Join Date: May 2000 Location: tempe,AZ Posts: 1,114	Sounds like now is a good time to upgrade to new tank if you where ever thinking about it. I wouldnt let this incident stop you from reefing. It sounds like things started going bad with one death the let sit to long unnoticed then started a chain reaction. Very rare occurence. If not up grade then I would pullout every thing and basically start the tank over from scratch. I would pull all the live rock out and clean it up best as you can and put it in a large container with heater, power head and skimmer covered so no light gets in for a mounth and let the hair algea all die out or just turn all the lights off on the tank and do a very large water change like most of it so it will recycle to a new tank with nothing in it but live rock and sand and let it go for a mounth or so and no feedings or water changes or anything and the hair should go away with any other algeas and the tank should settle back to normal then start from the begining. Last edited by tendar; 03-30-2002 at 12:11 AM.

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03-30-2002, 02:16 AM	#4
mrok12 Mayor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Van Buren, MI Posts: 1,052	I think reefhead is on the right track here. Hobbyist test kits do not measure organic phosphates for the most part. Let your tank be your guide. I think we all get a little algea from time to time though. If things are covered thiugh I would test for dissolved organics. Also do you have a reactor on this tank? I agree though with the others that a disaster is only truly a disaster if you give up. Clean the rock change the water and tweak until you figure it out. Keep a weekly log and note any changes so you can trace it back to what could have happened. Did you change food, additives, add new animals? Keep us posted and DON"T GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MROK12

03-30-2002, 11:11 AM	#5
Reinhold Mayor Join Date: May 2001 Location: USA Posts: 941	My calcium test kit is a Salifert. The phosphorus kit is Hagen. My Remora Pro skimmer has been pulling out a lot of very dark gunk. I kept finding dead, decomposing snails everywhere. I pulled them out as soon as I found them. It all started when my Blue Linckia star died. I then went on vacation. My daughter was in charge of feeding and dosing B-Ionic. I gave her careful instructions on these tasks. I really don't want to quit, but recovering from this will take a tremendous amount of work. I intend to try though. In order to start over, I need to find temporary homes for my remaining healthy corals (huge leathers and Colts.) Do you think it is safe for someone else to place them in their tank, or will the corals carry problems with them?

03-30-2002, 11:30 AM	#6
mrok12 Mayor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Van Buren, MI Posts: 1,052	I think it is worth saving them and they should be fine if they still look healthy. I just got back from Las Vegas and am lucky I guess that nothing happened. Don't give up. MROK12

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