Tank Crash Causes - Page 2

JeF4y · 01/18/2010, 03:48 PM

I read a lot of crashes immediately following the OP blindly following advice they read on forums or are given by LFS without doing any additional research.

People trying to do things too quickly is a big contributor as well.

Don't add anything to your tank without knowing exactly what it is, how it will interact with everything you have and WANT in your tank, and how to care for it. Sure, that Cuke may eat some algae, but do you understand the risk of it nuking your tank? Etc...

Bottom line, blindly trust no one. Do your own research (and lots of it) from multiple sources. And don't expect anything to happen fast except for a crash...

superfirefly · 01/18/2010, 04:19 PM

They were the black plastic. On one the side blew out the other the top popped off.

BiggRon · 02/09/2010, 08:06 PM

I've had my system set up for a good while now and we lost our power for 3 days. I saved most of my fish all except 2 and now I can't find them. All of the coral died and my water is cloudy any suggestions about what to do or use?

BiggRon · 02/09/2010, 08:07 PM

Somebody told me to use a good bacteria product that keeps the tank from cycling and a filter sock

ScooterMom · 08/27/2010, 11:41 PM

I am devastated.
This morning I found everything dead in my tank, (with a few exceptions). Everything was fine last night at midnight. I lost three seahorses, one high fin goby and my cleaner shrimp. Also, there were a few dead worms in the tank (they looked like small earthworms) that I didn't even know were there, and many tiny thin white worms (never seen them before either) stuck on the glass.
The hermits crabs and tube worms survived, also my watchman goby is still hanging in there. I am not sure about the corals yet, they have shriveled up and I can't tell.
All the parameters are fine- no ammonia, nitrate, or nitrite, the pH (8.3) and temperature were good. The filter was working.
BUT I had just come home from vacation and the tank was pretty dirty when I got home. I cleaned everything out and changed about 30% of the water. I used saltwater that I had made up before I left.
I am at a loss to explain what happened. Does anyone have any ideas?

Mavrk · 08/28/2010, 12:15 AM

The biggest ones I usually read about are heaters sticking on, and disease from lack of QT.

One person said they had washed their hands in anti-bacterial soap before putting their hand in the tank. The soap killed the beneficial bacteria and caused a cycle. Many deaths, but not a full crash. I don't know if that was the true reason.

onegreenray · 03/13/2012, 07:29 PM

My tank crash was due to a large clam spawning in the tank while out at a movie. in turn fouling the water and setting my sps to bleach and continue to foul the water. love coming home to the smell of low tide in the living room. first time in 8 years has this happened.

01/18/2010, 03:48 PM	#26
JeF4y El Conquistidor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,057	I read a lot of crashes immediately following the OP blindly following advice they read on forums or are given by LFS without doing any additional research. People trying to do things too quickly is a big contributor as well. Don't add anything to your tank without knowing exactly what it is, how it will interact with everything you have and WANT in your tank, and how to care for it. Sure, that Cuke may eat some algae, but do you understand the risk of it nuking your tank? Etc... Bottom line, blindly trust no one. Do your own research (and lots of it) from multiple sources. And don't expect anything to happen fast except for a crash... __________________ I've made a small fortune in Reefing! I just started out with a large fortune and the rest came easily. Want a Cleaner Wrasse? Consider a shower! ;-) Current Tank Info: 60 Cube!

08/27/2010, 11:41 PM	#30
ScooterMom Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 14	Unexplained tank crash I am devastated. This morning I found everything dead in my tank, (with a few exceptions). Everything was fine last night at midnight. I lost three seahorses, one high fin goby and my cleaner shrimp. Also, there were a few dead worms in the tank (they looked like small earthworms) that I didn't even know were there, and many tiny thin white worms (never seen them before either) stuck on the glass. The hermits crabs and tube worms survived, also my watchman goby is still hanging in there. I am not sure about the corals yet, they have shriveled up and I can't tell. All the parameters are fine- no ammonia, nitrate, or nitrite, the pH (8.3) and temperature were good. The filter was working. BUT I had just come home from vacation and the tank was pretty dirty when I got home. I cleaned everything out and changed about 30% of the water. I used saltwater that I had made up before I left. I am at a loss to explain what happened. Does anyone have any ideas?

01/18/2010, 04:19 PM	#27
superfirefly Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: St. Charles, Missouri Posts: 560	They were the black plastic. On one the side blew out the other the top popped off.

02/09/2010, 08:06 PM	#28
BiggRon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Reidsville, NC Posts: 13	I've had my system set up for a good while now and we lost our power for 3 days. I saved most of my fish all except 2 and now I can't find them. All of the coral died and my water is cloudy any suggestions about what to do or use?

02/09/2010, 08:07 PM	#29
BiggRon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Reidsville, NC Posts: 13	Somebody told me to use a good bacteria product that keeps the tank from cycling and a filter sock

08/28/2010, 12:15 AM	#31
Mavrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California - South Bay Area Posts: 2,775	The biggest ones I usually read about are heaters sticking on, and disease from lack of QT. One person said they had washed their hands in anti-bacterial soap before putting their hand in the tank. The soap killed the beneficial bacteria and caused a cycle. Many deaths, but not a full crash. I don't know if that was the true reason.

03/13/2012, 07:29 PM	#32
onegreenray Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Carlisle, Pa Posts: 4,016	My tank crash was due to a large clam spawning in the tank while out at a movie. in turn fouling the water and setting my sps to bleach and continue to foul the water. love coming home to the smell of low tide in the living room. first time in 8 years has this happened.