Disaster strikes !

wsboyette · 08/26/2020, 06:31 AM

Well, after all the difficulties I have had since setting up my 60 gallon fish-only, a catastrophe has befallen me..... Last night, I went into the den where the tank is located, and OMG ! The water was so murky you couldn't even see the background, and there were pale colored things being blown all about the tank by the powerheads. Then, when I spied a washcloth lying on the bottom of the tank, I began to realize what had happened - my autistic son had thrown a bowl of potato chips and who knows what else into the tank ! After a brief quandary as to what to do first, I got out the Python vacuum, removed the artificial reef decorations, and commenced to draining the tank down to just a few inches of water. I discovered that at least some of the fish were still alive (I had two Damsels, two Maroon clowns, a ruby-finned Fairy Wrasse and a Coral Beauty), so I proceeded make up some water in a five gallon bucket, and netting the fish out of the tank. I was able to save the Damsels, Maroon Clowns and Wrasse, but my treasured Coral Beauty was missing - I later found him dead on one of the reef decorations.

By that time, it was 3:00 in the morning, and reeling from fatigue, I hit the hay and commenced to dreaming about fish. Now the five remaining fish are swimming around in the bucket, and I will have to carry them back to my LFS as the entire system must be cleaned and set up new all over again (the tank will cycle after setup so the fish would not survive it). Now it's time to finish draining the tank and clean up the mess !

Michael Hoaster · 08/26/2020, 10:15 AM

Sorry to hear that. It sounds like you handled it well. If this is an ongoing danger you may want to look into figuring out how to 'lock' the hood, for peace of mind.

Best of luck with your restart.

wsboyette · 08/27/2020, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

Sorry to hear that. It sounds like you handled it well. If this is an ongoing danger you may want to look into figuring out how to 'lock' the hood, for peace of mind.

Best of luck with your restart.

Thanks, I believe I will put latches on the access hatches.

aquaventions · 09/17/2020, 02:01 PM

Glad you were able to save some of the fish.

08/26/2020, 06:31 AM	#1
wsboyette Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: N.E.N.C. Posts: 140	Disaster strikes ! Well, after all the difficulties I have had since setting up my 60 gallon fish-only, a catastrophe has befallen me..... Last night, I went into the den where the tank is located, and OMG ! The water was so murky you couldn't even see the background, and there were pale colored things being blown all about the tank by the powerheads. Then, when I spied a washcloth lying on the bottom of the tank, I began to realize what had happened - my autistic son had thrown a bowl of potato chips and who knows what else into the tank ! After a brief quandary as to what to do first, I got out the Python vacuum, removed the artificial reef decorations, and commenced to draining the tank down to just a few inches of water. I discovered that at least some of the fish were still alive (I had two Damsels, two Maroon clowns, a ruby-finned Fairy Wrasse and a Coral Beauty), so I proceeded make up some water in a five gallon bucket, and netting the fish out of the tank. I was able to save the Damsels, Maroon Clowns and Wrasse, but my treasured Coral Beauty was missing - I later found him dead on one of the reef decorations. By that time, it was 3:00 in the morning, and reeling from fatigue, I hit the hay and commenced to dreaming about fish. Now the five remaining fish are swimming around in the bucket, and I will have to carry them back to my LFS as the entire system must be cleaned and set up new all over again (the tank will cycle after setup so the fish would not survive it). Now it's time to finish draining the tank and clean up the mess ! __________________ Oh..... Fishy Fishy Fishy FISH ! Current Tank Info: 60 Gallon Fish-Only With Dry Rock, Filtration: Aquamaxx HOB Filter/Skimmer & Aqua-Tech 30-60 300 GPH HOB Motor Filter, Livestock: Coral Beauty and Maroon Clown

08/26/2020, 10:15 AM	#2
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Sorry to hear that. It sounds like you handled it well. If this is an ongoing danger you may want to look into figuring out how to 'lock' the hood, for peace of mind. Best of luck with your restart. __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

09/17/2020, 02:01 PM	#4
aquaventions Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Oconomowoc WI Posts: 17	Glad you were able to save some of the fish.