How many noob mistakes before things start dying?

randomdude · 10/04/2013, 09:45 AM

Last night started great...my LFS had half-off so we got a bunch of good stuff. I also sold my old tank stand and loaded up on water for my change today. Unfortunatly, with all the excitement from last night, I forgot to pull the water out of the car to acclimate to room temp (noob mistake #1). This morning though I saw one of my RBTAs detached and was stuck to the powerhead cage. The good news is that there didn't seem to be any RBTA shread in the tank. Before slowing down and researching it a little, I assumed it was dead, quickly took the cage off, scraped the RBTA, and tossed it (noob mistake #2). I then cleaned off the cage with a toothbrush and salt water then re-assembled and fired it back up (noob mistake #3). There wasn't a lot but it looked like the PH spit out some RBTA shread but I couldn't do an immediate water change because of noob mistake #1. I pulled the water out, and just got done changing 20% of it while on lunch.

It was only after noob mistake #3 that I had sat down and started reading to find that I should have just unplugged the PH and let it try to recover for a few hours. Needless to say I am pretty upset with myself.

So far nothing (other than the RBTA) has died but how long should I freak out about this before I will be past the danger zone of nuking the tank? All of the livestock seem fine at the moment.

Palting · 10/04/2013, 10:06 AM

You should be fine. Obviously, the RBTA is toast (it's in the garbage can). As far as the bits and pieces of RBTA, your CUC should take care of it. You didn't need to do an emergency water change, IMO. But, since you did, and if you got the water temp and salinity close to the DT numbers, that should be fine, too. If you are still worried, just get one of those ammonia badges. I don't think there will be a problem, and that ammonia badge should help reassure you that there is no problem.

I assume you do not have an RODI unit. If you get one, you can avoid future noob mistake #1, not to memtion that it will pay for itself from savings from buying LFS water, as well as being sure of the quality of the water you make since you control it yourself.

As to how many mistakes, it depends on the gravity of the mistakes. The above mistakes are really nothing, IMO, and your tank will be fine. One potential disastrous single mistake with your routine is bad LFS water. I know of one LFS that mistakenly used tapwater (the RODI tap and the plain tap were side by side), mixed the salinity to 1.017 for their fish only tanks in their store, but then set it aside to be sold as water for reef tanks. It actually killed a significant number of one of the store workers home aquarium before they caught the mistake.

randomdude · 10/04/2013, 03:47 PM

Whew, that is a relief. The subject was more rhitorical than anything...you know how it goes, have to get their attention.

I was thinking about getting an RODI filter but just after the initial investment of my system, I was inclined to go with the water program from my LFS. They do a pretty good job but I may get a filter system when that is up.

brvheart · 10/04/2013, 04:15 PM

The thing is, we never stop making mistakes. And we all still kill things from time to time through these mistakes. That's why I choose to automate my system as much as possible. When you take "manual" part out, you reduce those opportunities for mistakes. Then things typically go wrong when something fails or explodes :/ but that happens less time than user error

And also, I highly suggest getting an RO/DI. I know it seems like an unnecessary expense right now when you're only spending a couple bucks per water change, but it is SO worth it, and SO much more convenient and another way to "automate" things. I broke my RO/DI moving and lugged around water containers to LFS's after my move. I started noticing bad things happening in my tank (algae, things friggin DYING) so I went to a different store for water. Same thing, switched again, same thing. Long story short, decided to test everybody's water on my TDS (duh) and found that I was paying for water with higher TDS than my tapwater. Two LFS's were selling RO/DI water with calibrated TDS readings of 150+. My tapwater puts out 54. The absolute best I saw was 15. Not every LFS is the same and yours may be different, but it's money well spent for peace of mind.

wesside · 10/04/2013, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brvheart

And also, I highly suggest getting an RO/DI. I know it seems like an unnecessary expense right now when you're only spending a couple bucks per water change, but it is SO worth it, and SO much more convenient and another way to "automate" things.

I totally agree with this statement. I've only had my tank for 3+ months and I'm already tired of driving to the store to get crappy water. Not to mention, I work a regular job and the stores are not really open when I want them to be. To the OP, I picked up a 5-stage RO/DI unit off of RC for only $50 so you don't necessarily have to spend a lot of money. I would look into an ATO too because dumping water in the tank every day is a pain the butt.

randomdude · 10/04/2013, 04:34 PM

I have an ATO and wouldn't trade it for the world. I plan on finding an RODI filter system when my water plan expires. The LFS is right down the street from my work so it isn't that out of the way. I do need to get a TDS test though.

wrxreefer823 · 10/04/2013, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palting

I assume you do not have an RODI unit. If you get one, you can avoid future noob mistake #1, not to memtion that it will pay for itself from savings from buying LFS water, as well as being sure of the quality of the water you make since you control it yourself.

Then mistake #1 will be replaced with mistake #4 over and over again. What's this mistake I speak of? Leaving the water on and surfing Reef Central, only to have that "OH SH!T" moment and run to the bucket to find a good 5 gallons of the floor and a waste of salt. Not that I JUST did that this afternoon or anything... (I've been in the hobby a solid 7 years now...lol).

awais98 · 10/04/2013, 07:26 PM

Some RODI units come with an inbuilt TDS meter, e.g. BRS has some with it.
or if ur looking for an independant unit, amazon has it cheap too

Quote:

Originally Posted by randomdude

I have an ATO and wouldn't trade it for the world. I plan on finding an RODI filter system when my water plan expires. The LFS is right down the street from my work so it isn't that out of the way. I do need to get a TDS test though.

10/04/2013, 09:45 AM	#1
randomdude Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 19	How many noob mistakes before things start dying? Last night started great...my LFS had half-off so we got a bunch of good stuff. I also sold my old tank stand and loaded up on water for my change today. Unfortunatly, with all the excitement from last night, I forgot to pull the water out of the car to acclimate to room temp (noob mistake #1). This morning though I saw one of my RBTAs detached and was stuck to the powerhead cage. The good news is that there didn't seem to be any RBTA shread in the tank. Before slowing down and researching it a little, I assumed it was dead, quickly took the cage off, scraped the RBTA, and tossed it (noob mistake #2). I then cleaned off the cage with a toothbrush and salt water then re-assembled and fired it back up (noob mistake #3). There wasn't a lot but it looked like the PH spit out some RBTA shread but I couldn't do an immediate water change because of noob mistake #1. I pulled the water out, and just got done changing 20% of it while on lunch. It was only after noob mistake #3 that I had sat down and started reading to find that I should have just unplugged the PH and let it try to recover for a few hours. Needless to say I am pretty upset with myself. So far nothing (other than the RBTA) has died but how long should I freak out about this before I will be past the danger zone of nuking the tank? All of the livestock seem fine at the moment.

10/04/2013, 10:06 AM	#2
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	You should be fine. Obviously, the RBTA is toast (it's in the garbage can). As far as the bits and pieces of RBTA, your CUC should take care of it. You didn't need to do an emergency water change, IMO. But, since you did, and if you got the water temp and salinity close to the DT numbers, that should be fine, too. If you are still worried, just get one of those ammonia badges. I don't think there will be a problem, and that ammonia badge should help reassure you that there is no problem. I assume you do not have an RODI unit. If you get one, you can avoid future noob mistake #1, not to memtion that it will pay for itself from savings from buying LFS water, as well as being sure of the quality of the water you make since you control it yourself. As to how many mistakes, it depends on the gravity of the mistakes. The above mistakes are really nothing, IMO, and your tank will be fine. One potential disastrous single mistake with your routine is bad LFS water. I know of one LFS that mistakenly used tapwater (the RODI tap and the plain tap were side by side), mixed the salinity to 1.017 for their fish only tanks in their store, but then set it aside to be sold as water for reef tanks. It actually killed a significant number of one of the store workers home aquarium before they caught the mistake. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

10/04/2013, 03:47 PM	#3
randomdude Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 19	Whew, that is a relief. The subject was more rhitorical than anything...you know how it goes, have to get their attention. I was thinking about getting an RODI filter but just after the initial investment of my system, I was inclined to go with the water program from my LFS. They do a pretty good job but I may get a filter system when that is up.

10/04/2013, 04:15 PM	#4
brvheart Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 524	The thing is, we never stop making mistakes. And we all still kill things from time to time through these mistakes. That's why I choose to automate my system as much as possible. When you take "manual" part out, you reduce those opportunities for mistakes. Then things typically go wrong when something fails or explodes :/ but that happens less time than user error And also, I highly suggest getting an RO/DI. I know it seems like an unnecessary expense right now when you're only spending a couple bucks per water change, but it is SO worth it, and SO much more convenient and another way to "automate" things. I broke my RO/DI moving and lugged around water containers to LFS's after my move. I started noticing bad things happening in my tank (algae, things friggin DYING) so I went to a different store for water. Same thing, switched again, same thing. Long story short, decided to test everybody's water on my TDS (duh) and found that I was paying for water with higher TDS than my tapwater. Two LFS's were selling RO/DI water with calibrated TDS readings of 150+. My tapwater puts out 54. The absolute best I saw was 15. Not every LFS is the same and yours may be different, but it's money well spent for peace of mind.

10/04/2013, 04:34 PM	#6
randomdude Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 19	I have an ATO and wouldn't trade it for the world. I plan on finding an RODI filter system when my water plan expires. The LFS is right down the street from my work so it isn't that out of the way. I do need to get a TDS test though.