Holy Cow! What did I dump in my tank?!?

Fountainhead · 03/19/2004, 01:04 AM

I received my the first half of my TBS shipment. Beatiful rock! Anyway, after I got the rock and sand in, I read where you are supposed to add the packet of brown powder to assist with the cycle. So I ripped open the white packet, mixed it with some saltwater, and dumped it in. The I noticed the plastic packet with the brown powder still laying there on the floor. The stuff that I put in wasn't the right stuff! It was in one on those sealed white packets, and looks like dirt. What is it? Have I made a fatal error here? I'm about ready to put a gun to my head.

Aaron1100us · 03/19/2004, 01:20 AM

I have no idea what you put in. When did you get the package that you put in? Use table shrimp to get the cycle started.

Fountainhead · 03/19/2004, 01:41 AM

The packets were with the rocks. It turns out there was one packet with each box. It looks like dirt. I think I need to start drinking heavily.

CeCe803 · 03/19/2004, 02:12 AM

Sounds like the heat paks - I have no idea whats in them tho - you had better give Richard or Mary a call tomorrow.
Good Luck

kp1917 · 03/19/2004, 02:35 AM

Definately heat packs, and I would start by testing your water then adding a dechlorifyer/demetalizer solution (most of those you can't overdose). Then do a 20% water change at least. Running a canister filter with charcoal will detoxify also. It might be overkill but I doubt it and it won't hurt anything anyway.

Did you add the bacteria after you noticed the goof?

liverock · 03/19/2004, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fountainhead
I received my the first half of my TBS shipment. Beatiful rock! Anyway, after I got the rock and sand in, I read where you are supposed to add the packet of brown powder to assist with the cycle. So I ripped open the white packet, mixed it with some saltwater, and dumped it in. The I noticed the plastic packet with the brown powder still laying there on the floor. The stuff that I put in wasn't the right stuff! It was in one on those sealed white packets, and looks like dirt. What is it? Have I made a fatal error here? I'm about ready to put a gun to my head.

Bad news.....that was a heat pack, better get it ALL out.....

The instructions read....

small bag with brown powder...

the heat pack is in a white bag and the stuff inside is black..

get it out!!
Richard TBS

Mariner · 03/19/2004, 06:21 AM

Oh man

I'm feeling your pain.
If it's any consolation, it's good your tank wasn't filled with corals and fish when you made your little boo-boo

Yeah, look on the bright side, maybe you're getting all your dumb mistakes out of the way early, instead of waiting till you'd cause a big disaster -- like most of the rest of us do.
Hang in there
Mariner

CheeseyPoof · 03/19/2004, 07:14 AM

Oh poop. That SUCKS.

(edited because I accidentally said a bad word. sorry.)

Fountainhead · 03/19/2004, 07:20 AM

Well, it WAS a heat pack. I spoke with Richard, and I also talked to the folks that provide the packs to TBS. Richard wasn't sure, but the supplier seemed to feel that it wouldn't cause any harm. The water looks great (completely clear already) so I'll just forge ahead and hope for the best.

CheeseyPoof...don't you ever work?

hdtran · 03/19/2004, 08:56 AM

Those heat packs typically contain iron powder & activated carbon. I guess just keep an eagle eye on your water chemistry...

Dagnabit! Best of luck!

Fountainhead · 03/19/2004, 09:11 AM

Iron, huh? Any way to test for this? Granted, the rock has been in only about 10 hours, but this morning I had no detectable ammonia, and maybe .1 nitrite, and 10 nitrate. PH was 8.1. The water is crystal clear already. So other than the fact that I know what I did, all would seem well.

Richard, if you're reading this...I was wrong about the octopus, he is still alive.

CeCe803 · 03/19/2004, 10:53 AM

Dang, that little guy sure is cute.
Keep us updated on your tank conditions, my TBS has been in my tank for about 2 months - couldn't be happier.

ich_commando · 03/19/2004, 11:07 AM

wow! An octopus came with the rock! Now thats cool...I need some of this stuff

liverock · 03/19/2004, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fountainhead
Iron, huh? Any way to test for this? Granted, the rock has been in only about 10 hours, but this morning I had no detectable ammonia, and maybe .1 nitrite, and 10 nitrate. PH was 8.1. The water is crystal clear already. So other than the fact that I know what I did, all would seem well.

Richard, if you're reading this...I was wrong about the octopus, he is still alive.

Give him a big shell or rock to hide in or he will stress out!

Richard
www.tbsaltwater.com

Fountainhead · 03/19/2004, 02:48 PM

I did. That photo was taken last night right after I found him. For now I've put him in a 10-gallon tank with a hunk of the LR. I want to move the LR back to the main tank though. How about a few pieces of PVC pipe of something? Will he eat frozen krill?

Fountainhead · 03/19/2004, 03:39 PM

Here's one who found his own rock...bummer.

This one looks like a good guy...I think:

kp1917 · 03/19/2004, 03:58 PM

Wont the Octopuss eat your crabs?

liverock · 03/19/2004, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fountainhead
I did. That photo was taken last night right after I found him. For now I've put him in a 10-gallon tank with a hunk of the LR. I want to move the LR back to the main tank though. How about a few pieces of PVC pipe of something? Will he eat frozen krill?

Nope, they eat hermit crabs......love bluelegs!

Richard TBS
www.tbsaltwater.com

masterswimmer · 03/19/2004, 05:37 PM

Fountainhead,
Just a quick suggestion. Why don't you ask Randy Farley what you should do? He's really knowledgeable and always ready to help. Your question is chemistry related. He is our resident chemistry expert. Give it a shot.

I feel your pain, good luck,
Russ

dochoot · 04/03/2004, 12:38 AM

Sounds like the heat pack could be the new "hot" additive to help cycle tanks.

I can't help myself.

Razing Kane · 04/03/2004, 01:24 AM

guess i better go dig mine out of the trash

Fountainhead · 04/03/2004, 12:57 PM

OK, OK. Since you guys dredged this up again, I thought I'd follow up and let you know that all seems to be fine in the tank. I'm now 15 days into the cycle, and my ammonia and nitrites are 0, nitrates at 10. There is a lot of life in the tank, and I'm now just waiting on my second shipment.

The Heat Pack apparently contained some combination of iron powder and activated carbon. I actually was able to get some of the larger pieces out by using a Mag Float. The iron content made it stick to the magnet if you dragged the float over it. There was no way to get it all, as much of it had dissipated. Even today, I could drag the magnet over the sand and get a dusting of powder to stick to it.

But all is currently well. I guess I dodged a bullet.

Razing Kane · 04/03/2004, 02:26 PM

What a relief huh? Glad its back to normal.

03/19/2004, 01:04 AM	#1
Fountainhead Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 566	Holy Cow! What did I dump in my tank?!? I received my the first half of my TBS shipment. Beatiful rock! Anyway, after I got the rock and sand in, I read where you are supposed to add the packet of brown powder to assist with the cycle. So I ripped open the white packet, mixed it with some saltwater, and dumped it in. The I noticed the plastic packet with the brown powder still laying there on the floor. The stuff that I put in wasn't the right stuff! It was in one on those sealed white packets, and looks like dirt. What is it? Have I made a fatal error here? I'm about ready to put a gun to my head.

03/19/2004, 01:20 AM	#2
Aaron1100us Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Posts: 2,166	I have no idea what you put in. When did you get the package that you put in? Use table shrimp to get the cycle started. __________________ How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges Current Tank Info: rebuilding going from 75 to a 90RR

03/19/2004, 02:12 AM	#4
CeCe803 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Keizer, Ore Posts: 229	Sounds like the heat paks - I have no idea whats in them tho - you had better give Richard or Mary a call tomorrow. Good Luck __________________ Your village called: Their idiot is missing. Current Tank Info: 75g AGA w/29g sump,euro-reef PS, 4 54w T-5's, Mag 9.5, 2 maxi-jet 1200

03/19/2004, 06:21 AM	#7
Mariner Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: North Alabama Posts: 3,952	Oh man I'm feeling your pain. If it's any consolation, it's good your tank wasn't filled with corals and fish when you made your little boo-boo Yeah, look on the bright side, maybe you're getting all your dumb mistakes out of the way early, instead of waiting till you'd cause a big disaster -- like most of the rest of us do. Hang in there Mariner __________________ DESIGN DEMANDS A DESIGNER. ~The perception is that perception is reality, but the reality is that it isn't. Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef; 135g mixed reef

03/19/2004, 08:56 AM	#10
hdtran Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 846	Those heat packs typically contain iron powder & activated carbon. I guess just keep an eagle eye on your water chemistry... Dagnabit! Best of luck! __________________ Hy D. Tran Required reading: John Tullock's books; Bob Fenner's books. Current Tank Info: 120g with 145# TBS LR, 700W VHO lighting, 5g (24") hang-on Aquafuge, AquaC Remora Pro skimmer, all sumpless

03/19/2004, 01:41 AM	#3
Fountainhead Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 566	The packets were with the rocks. It turns out there was one packet with each box. It looks like dirt. I think I need to start drinking heavily.

03/19/2004, 02:35 AM	#5
kp1917 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chugiak, Alaska Posts: 192	Definately heat packs, and I would start by testing your water then adding a dechlorifyer/demetalizer solution (most of those you can't overdose). Then do a 20% water change at least. Running a canister filter with charcoal will detoxify also. It might be overkill but I doubt it and it won't hurt anything anyway. Did you add the bacteria after you noticed the goof?

03/19/2004, 07:14 AM	#8
CheeseyPoof Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 8	Oh poop. That SUCKS. (edited because I accidentally said a bad word. sorry.)

03/19/2004, 07:20 AM	#9
Fountainhead Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 566	Well, it WAS a heat pack. I spoke with Richard, and I also talked to the folks that provide the packs to TBS. Richard wasn't sure, but the supplier seemed to feel that it wouldn't cause any harm. The water looks great (completely clear already) so I'll just forge ahead and hope for the best. CheeseyPoof...don't you ever work?

03/19/2004, 09:11 AM	#11
Fountainhead Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 566	Iron, huh? Any way to test for this? Granted, the rock has been in only about 10 hours, but this morning I had no detectable ammonia, and maybe .1 nitrite, and 10 nitrate. PH was 8.1. The water is crystal clear already. So other than the fact that I know what I did, all would seem well. Richard, if you're reading this...I was wrong about the octopus, he is still alive.

03/19/2004, 10:53 AM	#12
CeCe803 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Keizer, Ore Posts: 229	Dang, that little guy sure is cute. Keep us updated on your tank conditions, my TBS has been in my tank for about 2 months - couldn't be happier. __________________ Your village called: Their idiot is missing. Current Tank Info: 75g AGA w/29g sump,euro-reef PS, 4 54w T-5's, Mag 9.5, 2 maxi-jet 1200

03/19/2004, 11:07 AM	#13
ich_commando Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 358	wow! An octopus came with the rock! Now thats cool...I need some of this stuff

03/19/2004, 02:48 PM	#15
Fountainhead Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 566	I did. That photo was taken last night right after I found him. For now I've put him in a 10-gallon tank with a hunk of the LR. I want to move the LR back to the main tank though. How about a few pieces of PVC pipe of something? Will he eat frozen krill?

03/19/2004, 03:39 PM	#16
Fountainhead Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 566	Here's one who found his own rock...bummer. This one looks like a good guy...I think:

03/19/2004, 03:58 PM	#17
kp1917 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chugiak, Alaska Posts: 192	Wont the Octopuss eat your crabs?

03/19/2004, 05:37 PM	#19
masterswimmer Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: East of the Mississippi, north of the mason dixon line Posts: 3,255	Fountainhead, Just a quick suggestion. Why don't you ask Randy Farley what you should do? He's really knowledgeable and always ready to help. Your question is chemistry related. He is our resident chemistry expert. Give it a shot. I feel your pain, good luck, Russ __________________ I said, "look honey, we paid the mortgage and we have all this money left over for the tank." Her response confused me. She said we still needed to buy food and pay the utilities. Current Tank Info: 75 10ecor, SLS TEK 6 x 54w T-5, Lifereef sump & VS2-24" skimmer, 15 gal. AGA fuge

04/03/2004, 12:38 AM	#20
dochoot Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Valparaiso, IN Posts: 418	Sounds like the heat pack could be the new "hot" additive to help cycle tanks. I can't help myself.

04/03/2004, 01:24 AM	#21
Razing Kane Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lost Wages Posts: 335	guess i better go dig mine out of the trash __________________ Sin City Style- Las Vegas Valley Reefers, on Reef Central! Current Tank Info: 80 gal reef 2x250 Hamilton14k MH 3x96PC OM Squirt 26 bow reef 150DE 10k Ushio MH 130 PC

04/03/2004, 12:57 PM	#22
Fountainhead Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 566	OK, OK. Since you guys dredged this up again, I thought I'd follow up and let you know that all seems to be fine in the tank. I'm now 15 days into the cycle, and my ammonia and nitrites are 0, nitrates at 10. There is a lot of life in the tank, and I'm now just waiting on my second shipment. The Heat Pack apparently contained some combination of iron powder and activated carbon. I actually was able to get some of the larger pieces out by using a Mag Float. The iron content made it stick to the magnet if you dragged the float over it. There was no way to get it all, as much of it had dissipated. Even today, I could drag the magnet over the sand and get a dusting of powder to stick to it. But all is currently well. I guess I dodged a bullet.

04/03/2004, 02:26 PM	#23
Razing Kane Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lost Wages Posts: 335	What a relief huh? Glad its back to normal. __________________ Sin City Style- Las Vegas Valley Reefers, on Reef Central! Current Tank Info: 80 gal reef 2x250 Hamilton14k MH 3x96PC OM Squirt 26 bow reef 150DE 10k Ushio MH 130 PC