effectively killed everything... sweet...

[GarrettCurl]

Yesterday I added a 100gal sump to my system. It is a decent setup. We have replaced all of my flimsy pool hoses with actual pvc. I also added another circulation pump. All seemed to be going well until I started filling up the sump with water and the baffles blew out. I had the interior baffled to have different water levels but because of the water pressure the silicone busted. That was not the only problem. I don't know why but maybe the water I added shocked the system or something but today when I woke up to check on the tank all of my corals seem to be dieing. They are shriveled up and releasing these slimy strings. I also bought a new/used skimmer and the pump is super loud. Looks like I get to start out from square one. :sad2:

There is so many reasons why the corals could be ****ed off right now. My specific gravity dropped from 1.026 to 1.024. I also think that there may have been some chemical contamination from the pvc, sump, ect. At least my fish are still alive. For now. I also don't have a skimmer on the system but it has only been 24 hrs. I'll post pictures :sad2:

 

[spieszak]

carbon, water changes, and best of luck!

 

[TriMax]

carbon and several large water changes sounds like good advice. Do you think whatever caused the problem can be removed?

 

[cee]

Did you let the PVC cement cure for a few hours before adding it to the system? That salinity drop isn't likely to cause long-term problems.

 

[modifyd]

I'll set you up with a few frags when I get back from work in Nov. to help you out.

 

[GarrettCurl]

Water changes are number one priority.... but.... I used all of my water to fill up the new sump. Now, I have to wait for a day to get water. I should have about 50 gal. when I get home tomorrow. But that is all the tank will get until Friday because I am going to be out of town for work until late Friday night.

Here is a list of what I think could have shocked the system:

1) New car parked in the garage. exhaust contaminating the filtered water. I do have my barrels covered, and we are pretty cautious about letting the garage air out before we shut the door.

2) My tds went from 0 to 2 (not bad considering the water used to register around 30).

3) Uncured PVC cement. We waited about 30 min before introducing the plumbing to the tank. (friend said it would not have an effect).

4) I did have a diatom bloom a day before the project. I had been feeding heavy and my old skimmer is junk but I was doing a 20% water change every other week.

Oh well, I'll do the water changes when I get the water, and just hope that my tank can bounce back.

Question:

Why could my water be hazy? It happened after my last 10% water change. Everything was clear before then after the change it was hazy.

 

[planejane]

Sorry you are having problems. If it's some sort of contaminante maybe adding some Poly Filter would help.

 

[reef2]

what kind of silicone did u use in the sump? if it was the kind with mold guard then that may be the problem also. i dont think it was the pvc glue as ive used pipes about 20min after being glued up.

if u re-baffle ur sump add a little water to each section as its filling so one side isnt holding back all the presure.

 

[cee]

i dont think it was the pvc glue as ive used pipes about 20min after being glued up.

If you go light on the cement, yes. Most people put too much on and a "glob" won't cure quickly. Methyl ethyl ketone is nasty stuff (as are some of the other ingredients). Could also be the wrong silicone used as well.

 

[tlgreve]

I'm sorry! I feel your pain! When I was downsizing from my 120 to my 65, I put my corals, and almost all my livestock into a large holding tank over night while I was moving. When I got home from work the next day, I had a similar situation - long slimy strings of death. I lost almost everything except for my zoanthids, including everything I got at the big swap. :headwalls: I guess I feel glad that my rock was in a separate container.

I'm with some others, did you use aquarium safe silicon and let it properly cure?

 

[EvilMel]

Garrett...I've got 40g+ here at the house and enough buckets to move at least half of it. If you bring buckets for the extra you're welcome to it. Lemme know! Your dad has my number.

 

[Flippers4pups]

+1 on the silicone as possible contaminant.

 

[GarrettCurl]

The silicon is 100% silicon. No listed additives, and I allowed it to cure for about 10 days before I introduced it to the tank. My water is still hazy.

I ran tests and Ca 425, and I think that my Alk is high around 8meq/l. Nitrate 0. Ammonia 0. Came home today with one more coal dead. I am transporting them over to my dads tank. All of the fish and inverts are doing fine. I still need to test my Ph but I don't think that it has changed all that much because no inverts have died. This problem seems to really be targeting my corals.

I'm running activated carbon and doing water changes as quick as I can produce the water.

Mel - thanks for the offer. I have 50gal made in the garage, and that will be all I can do until I get back in town on Friday.

 

[StephLionfish]

How's it going? Really sucks this happened to you.