So frustrated right now - Tank disaster!!

[Masedaddy]

So I can home the other day to an awful smell in my basement. The finished basement is where my tank resides.

It seems for some reason my son decided to put a AA battery in my sump. I'm assuming due to the reaction of the battery discharging and corroding is the reason my Alk dropped drastically, seemingly overnight. (I'm neither concerned nor desire to understand the physics or chemical mechanics as to how this occurred. It doesn't matter now.)

My tank was extremely cloudy and smelled awful. The skimmer was gummed up with this white gunk.

I lost 2 fish... My Mystery Wrasse and a Pintail Wrasse. I had the Mystery Wrasse for close to 3 years and he was about the same size as Krazy Karl's Mystery Wrasse...

But the real kicker was ALL of my prized SPS died in the tragedy. My colonies are all stark white!! I'm so frustrated and ****ed I can't even describe how I'm feeling... Stuff I have grown from a 1 inch frag to a volleyball sized colony gone in a matter of hours....

I also lost many of my chalices...surprisingly the expensive ones like my Jason Fox Biohazard chalice and Pink Boobies survived.

Most of my LPS survived as well.

I'm just so frustrated I'm thinking about calling it quits... I easily lost 10k or more in corals... I don't know whether to cry or scream. I'll probably do both.


Ugggggghhhhhhh!!!


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[Drblakjak55]

Can't imagine. Don't quit


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[Marc11]

As soon as the corals I got from you can be fragged you will get them all back. Hang in there. I'll even frag them now if you want.

[Masedaddy]

Thanks Marc I appreciate that. I gotta decide what I want to do....


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[Ari21]

Wow. Sorry to hear that. If you decide to rebuild the tank, which I hope you do, I would definitely add doors to your sump and put a child proof cabinet lock over the handles.

[Masedaddy]

Wow. Sorry to hear that. If you decide to rebuild the tank, which I hope you do, I would definitely add doors to your sump and put a child proof cabinet lock over the handles.



That was the plan all along


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[Masedaddy]

From what I can tell the Alk went down to under 3 dkh. All my other parameters are spot on... I've been slowly raising my Alk up over the past couple days. It's in the mid 6's now.


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[JerSaint]

When al is well let me know and I will get you some frags!

[dvetran]

Hang in there bud, if you need any help let me know!

[kgstei]

Wow. So sorry. Hang in there. Kurt

[gar732]

Sorry to hear it man. Anything that I can frag is yours just let me know when you are ready.

[Tweaked]

Oh ****! I am very sorry to hear this Mason. I recently did an experiment where I left the tank alone after stopping the AF program and let's just say you need to test and do water changes. Pretty much a fish only tank here but not done, I will be back.... Again lol

[MADtanks]

Damn Mason, sorry brodda :(..... some of us know that feeling all too well man. I hope you hang in there man, it sucks man and im sure you can rebuild better. We always have ways of doing things better and im sure you do too! Stay strong bro, dont quit!

[Vaiodude]

Sorry to hear that Mason! Don't give up!!!

[Masedaddy]

Thank you guys, I appreciate it. I'm going to try to get the tank to settle out and then start again. I really appreciate the guys and gals that are willing to help each other out!! That's my philosophy and what this hobby should be all about.

Once everything is back settled again I will be calling in the favors, thanks again!!



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[kynan]

Sorry to hear but shouldn't you be concerned about copper? I have plenty of dry rock and a huge container of sand
if you want to purge.

[GobyWanKenobie]

That's awful, but remember it's only a reef tank. You can always rebuild a tank, but you only get one chance with your kids. I will be happy to frag anything I have that can help you out. Hang in there.

[SteelerMike]

Damn Mason, that sucks. As others have said, let me know if there are any frags I can add to help you get back on your feet.

[Paulywalnuts]

That's just terrible bro! I'm sorry. I will help you in any way possible my brother. You are one of the most quality people I have met, and befriended in years. Love ya bro. Keep your head Up!

[GobyApparatus]

Man that sucks. So sorry.

[Diana A]

It is a terrible thing to happen, and it is soooo awesome that all you guys trying to help! Wish there were more people in this world to give a helping hand to those who need it. I have 5 kids and they are kids...they are your life...it could have been you kid that was hurt or sick...then what happened to your tank would be minute

[Masedaddy]

It is a terrible thing to happen, and it is soooo awesome that all you guys trying to help! Wish there were more people in this world to give a helping hand to those who need it. I have 5 kids and they are kids...they are your life...it could have been you kid that was hurt or sick...then what happened to your tank would be minute



That is true. My kids are my world. I agree it's a fish tank, nothing is certain in this hobby. Thank you for your kind words. I definitely have a great set of fishy friends!!


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[Masedaddy]

Sorry to hear but shouldn't you be concerned about copper? I have plenty of dry rock and a huge container of sand
if you want to purge.



I've been testing for everything I can, including copper. Nothing out of the ordinary.... I've been running carbon like crazy and doing water changes. I removed all the dead corals. Tank looks bare... But no further losses so far... I will continue with my water changes and stabilizing the tank, then attempt a reboot on the tank.


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[Masedaddy]

That's just terrible bro! I'm sorry. I will help you in any way possible my brother. You are one of the most quality people I have met, and befriended in years. Love ya bro. Keep your head Up!



Thanks broheim! I know you got my back, I feel the same way about you. I'll see ya this weekend and we'll work out a game plan.


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[Masedaddy]

Well after many, many water changes and carbon galore. It seems I have reached the end of the tank crash. My remaining corals have started to flourish again and I added a few test SPS pieces. The all seem to be doing fine. I feel like I can finally breathe again!!

To everyone who volunteered to donate to replenish my coral stock. I appreciate your generosity greatly and will humbly accept all donations. Thank you again! This is why I love this hobby!!


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[Tweaked]

Think it's time to get my affairs in order as well. Just been so busy with everything else I haven't done a thing in a couple months. Glad to hear you're back on track bud.

[Masedaddy]

Thanks Pat!!


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[Tweaked]

Did my restart this weekend. Nice to have a bare canvas... NOT! See you in a few months lol