Help! - Page 2

MondoBongo · 02/27/2015, 08:39 AM

1ppm is a lot of ammonia to just randomly show up in an established tank.

when you mix up your next batch of water, i would test it for ammonia prior to doing the change and introducing it to the tank. follow this thing down the rabbit hole, and try to determine where that spike came from.

in the future, it's never a bad idea to keep some water conditioners around for emergency use. i have a bottle of AmQuel and Prime on hand at all times, just in case the worst happens.

if there are other people in your house, especially children, make sure they're not doing any clandestine feedings during the day either. maybe dumping in too much, or something.

good luck, i hope everything turns OK.

gone fishin · 02/27/2015, 08:40 AM

Did you fix your sump baffles? Did you use silicone and did you give it enough time to cure before refilling?

FraggledRock · 02/27/2015, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfoister

Did you dry the sump after you rinsed with tap water? I would think the PVC cement would be dry enough after an hour but I'm incredibly paranoid about a tank crash so I always wait 24 hours for things to cure.

I mean the simple answer is, it's possible that the PVC cement released trace toxins, and it's possible that your tap water was not dried up well enough from the sump and released chlorine into the tank. It's really, really hard to say.

I would certainly run some carbon in the tank for a bit (i always do anyway) and just really hope for the best.

If your tank crashes completely, run it fallow for a while, doing water changes, carbon, anything you can do to negate toxins. If your tank does not crash I think you dodged a bullet.

I went to bed praying it doesn't.
i woke up praying it didn't
and I am here praying it wont.

I am going to go buy salt & water asap.

start draining once I get home and mixing new saltwater.

i really do hope the bullet gets dodged....

i really do...

really a small amount of tap water would do that? damn..

sadly my luck in life, my tank will turn into a toxic ooze by the time i get home.

staying positive though. even if it crashes...lesson learned.. lessons learned... =(

holding back the tears as manly as I could LOL

im debating leaving work earlier.

FraggledRock · 02/27/2015, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gone fishin

Did you fix your sump baffles? Did you use silicone and did you give it enough time to cure before refilling?

I used a little bit towards the top of the baffle. like a 4 inch strip 1/4 thick.

i let it sit for about 6 hours. it was hard.

it had a very faint vinegar smell, but i thought it was basically teh same as vinegar (acetic acid i think?).

would that cause a tank crash?

i probably did this to myself =(

FraggledRock · 02/27/2015, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MondoBongo

1ppm is a lot of ammonia to just randomly show up in an established tank.

when you mix up your next batch of water, i would test it for ammonia prior to doing the change and introducing it to the tank. follow this thing down the rabbit hole, and try to determine where that spike came from.

in the future, it's never a bad idea to keep some water conditioners around for emergency use. i have a bottle of AmQuel and Prime on hand at all times, just in case the worst happens.

if there are other people in your house, especially children, make sure they're not doing any clandestine feedings during the day either. maybe dumping in too much, or something.

good luck, i hope everything turns OK.

yes I will get some emergency stuff today too!

thanks!

its in a room locked during the day.

th eonly way is if an adult opens it and lets the kid sin, but thats unlikely, but possible.

MondoBongo · 02/27/2015, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FraggledRock

im debating leaving work earlier.

if you can, i would. people think i'm a little nutty, but i've done this before.

gone fishin · 02/27/2015, 08:58 AM

I have been known to leave on occasion for a tank issue.

150Ron · 02/27/2015, 09:05 AM

Sounds like it was poisoned to me. Run some carbon, water change and hope for the best. Bummer...

FraggledRock · 02/27/2015, 10:24 AM

This shed some light on a possibility:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-12/rhf/

FraggledRock · 02/27/2015, 12:47 PM

Ok here goes.

I bought the 50 gallon bag of IO salt.
prime
Carbon
Mesh bag for the carbon
Purigen

an hour to go til i head home.

fingers still crossed tightly

What do i do first?

- mix the salt, get to temp
- put the prime in the tank
-drain (100%)
- then refill?

halp.

sfoister · 02/27/2015, 02:33 PM

Fixing this issue, if it's a toxic issue may be best tackled like shaving a beard. Reduce, don't remove... I wouldn't drain 100% I don't think. Maybe 50%, then another 50% if no improvement is seen.

kottok.motors · 02/27/2015, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FraggledRock

the sand was not good sand. It was from the beach. Which is why i took it out.

Did you just take this out when you did your sump changes? If so, this could be your culprit, pulling too much bateria out at once, and releasing a bunch of crap underneath.

FraggledRock · 02/27/2015, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfoister

Fixing this issue, if it's a toxic issue may be best tackled like shaving a beard. Reduce, don't remove... I wouldn't drain 100% I don't think. Maybe 50%, then another 50% if no improvement is seen.

Ok ill do multiple changes

FraggledRock · 02/27/2015, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kottok.motors

Did you just take this out when you did your sump changes? If so, this could be your culprit, pulling too much bateria out at once, and releasing a bunch of crap underneath.

Thats my fear

Corriebh · 02/27/2015, 04:08 PM

I don't have any words of wisdom regarding the tank, but I do like to see the silver lining in every cloud and there has to be one here. This is a learning experience not just for you but for all of us! Keep posting, know we all hope things work out well and thank you for sharing even bad news.

gone fishin · 02/27/2015, 04:17 PM

I think I would get your water mixing, If you still got ammonia put some prime in. After you get the water change done then get the carbon in there. Just my 2 cents

Kenmx10 · 02/27/2015, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FraggledRock

I used a little bit towards the top of the baffle. like a 4 inch strip 1/4 thick.

i let it sit for about 6 hours. it was hard.

(

Just curious, what type silicone did you use?

FraggledRock · 02/27/2015, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corriebh

I don't have any words of wisdom regarding the tank, but I do like to see the silver lining in every cloud and there has to be one here. This is a learning experience not just for you but for all of us! Keep posting, know we all hope things work out well and thank you for sharing even bad news.

Thanks! I have an update.

I got home and I put prime in the tank to get the cleansing started.

I drained 50% of the water.

I couldn't wait overnight for the water to mix so i waited an hour.

What I found:
- My yellow tang died.
- My Royal Gramma died.
- I cant find one of my Clowns, but I did find the other one , but still lethargic and breathing heavy, a bit more active. it disappeared after about an hour, no sure if its hiding or what
- All my Zoas are closed (possibly dead).
- My Rainbow Acans Lord were contracted but are now puffing up now
- My Ricordia looks bad, but they might come back
- My Duncan looks like it wants to open but the polyps look burned up.
- There was a white film all over everything, not sure what it was.
- the tank looks clean but the main tank looks cloudy though not sure why
- Skimmer is not pulling any skimmate. clean water im guessing.
- All my inverts are still alive. snails, crabs, serpent star. it could be a sign the corals are just stressed and not dead.
- no more rotten egg smell, or not as potent (hydrogen sulfide)

What should i do now? or not do?

FraggledRock · 02/27/2015, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenmx10

Just curious, what type silicone did you use?

GE Type I

FraggledRock · 02/27/2015, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gone fishin

I think I would get your water mixing, If you still got ammonia put some prime in. After you get the water change done then get the carbon in there. Just my 2 cents

i just put 2 full bags of carbon filled to the brim to pull all I can out.
thanks!

JamesHolt · 02/27/2015, 08:29 PM

There was a white film all over everything, not sure what it was.

Happened to me when I rushed a repair on a baffle in my freshwater tank, came from the silicone not being cured out

FraggledRock · 02/27/2015, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesHolt

There was a white film all over everything, not sure what it was.

Happened to me when I rushed a repair on a baffle in my freshwater tank, came from the silicone not being cured out

damn....

Marchillo · 02/27/2015, 09:10 PM

I found a thread on another site. Guy put in a new sump and put a ton of silicone where it was needed. Despite waiting 48 hours not all the silicone cured bc he overdid it. The fish all died. If the silicone isn't cured it will continue to poison the tank. He had to breakdown his sump and scrap all the silicone away and start over. I'm not sure if your probably will go away if this is your issue and you don't allow it to cure.

I'm no expert but that's what I read. Definitely worth a Google search. Sorry for your losses.

FraggledRock · 02/27/2015, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marchillo

I found a thread on another site. Guy put in a new sump and put a ton of silicone where it was needed. Despite waiting 48 hours not all the silicone cured bc he overdid it. The fish all died. If the silicone isn't cured it will continue to poison the tank. He had to breakdown his sump and scrap all the silicone away and start over. I'm not sure if your probably will go away if this is your issue and you don't allow it to cure.

I'm no expert but that's what I read. Definitely worth a Google search. Sorry for your losses.

yea, i learned a few big extremely valuable lessons in 24 hours =/

FraggledRock · 02/28/2015, 12:43 AM

So I can go to sleep a bit happier.

My duncan is polyping out.

i see one of my clowns again alive and kicking.

these are water test results:
temp:76
Ammonia 0.1 (remnants from crash?)
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Alkalinity 11 (Instant ocean)
calcium 500 (calcium precipitaion in water?)
magnesium 1300

02/27/2015, 08:39 AM	#26
MondoBongo Obligate Feeder Obsessed Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,061	1ppm is a lot of ammonia to just randomly show up in an established tank. when you mix up your next batch of water, i would test it for ammonia prior to doing the change and introducing it to the tank. follow this thing down the rabbit hole, and try to determine where that spike came from. in the future, it's never a bad idea to keep some water conditioners around for emergency use. i have a bottle of AmQuel and Prime on hand at all times, just in case the worst happens. if there are other people in your house, especially children, make sure they're not doing any clandestine feedings during the day either. maybe dumping in too much, or something. good luck, i hope everything turns OK. __________________ [Citation Needed] "You don't use science to show that you're right, you use science to become right" - xkcd Current Tank Info: A rectangular shaped money pit.

02/27/2015, 08:40 AM	#27
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	Did you fix your sump baffles? Did you use silicone and did you give it enough time to cure before refilling? __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

02/27/2015, 08:58 AM	#32
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	I have been known to leave on occasion for a tank issue. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

02/27/2015, 09:05 AM	#33
150Ron Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 117	Sounds like it was poisoned to me. Run some carbon, water change and hope for the best. Bummer... __________________ My family asked if I love my aquarium more than them...I have not answered Current Tank Info: 150gal custom reef, 36" Ruby Trigger Sump, Halide/T5 Lights, Reef Octopus 170SSS Skimmer, Reef Octopus 5500 controlable return, Maxspec Gyre xf150, Hydor Koralia Power Head 1150X2

02/27/2015, 10:24 AM	#34
FraggledRock Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: New York, New York Posts: 2,185	This shed some light on a possibility: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-12/rhf/ __________________ “For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.”― Jacques-Yves Cousteau MarineBio.org Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder w/ Bean Animal Overflow 20G Sump, Mixed Reef.

02/27/2015, 12:47 PM	#35
FraggledRock Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: New York, New York Posts: 2,185	Ok here goes. I bought the 50 gallon bag of IO salt. prime Carbon Mesh bag for the carbon Purigen an hour to go til i head home. fingers still crossed tightly What do i do first? - mix the salt, get to temp - put the prime in the tank -drain (100%) - then refill? halp. __________________ “For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.”― Jacques-Yves Cousteau MarineBio.org Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder w/ Bean Animal Overflow 20G Sump, Mixed Reef.

02/27/2015, 02:33 PM	#36
sfoister Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 149	Fixing this issue, if it's a toxic issue may be best tackled like shaving a beard. Reduce, don't remove... I wouldn't drain 100% I don't think. Maybe 50%, then another 50% if no improvement is seen.

02/27/2015, 04:08 PM	#40
Corriebh Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 47	I don't have any words of wisdom regarding the tank, but I do like to see the silver lining in every cloud and there has to be one here. This is a learning experience not just for you but for all of us! Keep posting, know we all hope things work out well and thank you for sharing even bad news.

02/27/2015, 04:17 PM	#41
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	I think I would get your water mixing, If you still got ammonia put some prime in. After you get the water change done then get the carbon in there. Just my 2 cents __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

02/27/2015, 08:29 PM	#46
JamesHolt Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Milton,NC Posts: 1,104 Blog Entries: 3	There was a white film all over everything, not sure what it was. Happened to me when I rushed a repair on a baffle in my freshwater tank, came from the silicone not being cured out __________________ John Adams: "In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress." Current Tank Info: 29g with 2 Engineer gobies

02/27/2015, 09:10 PM	#48
Marchillo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 1,178	I found a thread on another site. Guy put in a new sump and put a ton of silicone where it was needed. Despite waiting 48 hours not all the silicone cured bc he overdid it. The fish all died. If the silicone isn't cured it will continue to poison the tank. He had to breakdown his sump and scrap all the silicone away and start over. I'm not sure if your probably will go away if this is your issue and you don't allow it to cure. I'm no expert but that's what I read. Definitely worth a Google search. Sorry for your losses.

02/28/2015, 12:43 AM	#50
FraggledRock Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: New York, New York Posts: 2,185	So I can go to sleep a bit happier. My duncan is polyping out. i see one of my clowns again alive and kicking. these are water test results: temp:76 Ammonia 0.1 (remnants from crash?) Nitrite: 0 Nitrate: 0 Alkalinity 11 (Instant ocean) calcium 500 (calcium precipitaion in water?) magnesium 1300 __________________ “For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.”― Jacques-Yves Cousteau MarineBio.org Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder w/ Bean Animal Overflow 20G Sump, Mixed Reef.