Middle of possible Crash.... HELP!!!!

chrisguy

chrisguy

New member
Short story, my daughter (1.5 years old) turned off my auto top off. My wife noticed her playing by the tank and turned it back on. Based on my wife telling me the sump was down almost 1 inch, I believe it was about 1-2 gallon down. Because of this, a large amount of Kalk was added to the tank. Initially it was just cloudy. It quickly turned almost a solid white.

When I got to the tank I did an 18 gallon change as I had the water made for tomorrow. It did not help.

I then remembered that Kalk has a PH of 12 and Vinegar is used to offset, so I added a small amount of vinegar to the tank. This started to clear the water. I waited and added a little more.

The tank is now clearer, not white. I've accounted for most fish and seen all other forms of life moving about. All occupants look stressed. Lots of slimming on the SPS. Just about all corals are starting to re-open. Clam is reopening and several fish are swimming around, although the fish are breathing heavy.

I did manage to grab my Naso tank and move it to my second tank. It looks very good.

The plan is to make another batch of SW, 18 gallons, and change again in the AM.

Anything else I should do other than add child proof locks to the stand doors ??
 
I just tested PH and it's a little low. I have a salifert kit, and it measured 7.7. Not sure if that's the lowest it will read or the real value.
 
Childproofing any aquarium is a good idea. Do another water change and test your levels. It sounds like you might escape without any losses.
 
I'd have to agree with Gary I myself have accidently added way to much kalk to my 55 and did a couple of water changes and made it through with no losses.Just a couple of days sweating it out waiting for the corals to open up and the fish to look back to normal.
 
Thanks Gary and Henry!

I've also seen the too much Kalk where the water is cloudy. This was Pure white. I could not see a frag that was less than the thickness of a Mag scraper from the glass. Think white out snow storm.

I was just looking closely at the tank and can see more life forms going about their business. The sea cucumber was eating. Shrimp and various snails were moving about. All but 1 fish has been seen. Even both Green BTA's are puffed up.

My wife said that she and my boys said a little prayer. I'm thinking that's helping a lot more than anything I did.
 
Yeah, really close, I'd hate for you to loose that gorgeous tank Chris. Great thinking on the Vinegar, probably saved your tank by doing that
 
Well I am happy to report that it appears that I've dogged the bullet on this one.

Lights done come on until 10am, but there is enough light in the room that most of the corals and fish are going through their normal morning process.

This AM I am still going to do the other water change and then I will run a full set of tests. Last thing I need to do is move the Naso back to the display. He's not too happy in a 30 Long at the moment.
 
Close one and by observing your tank closely sounds like you avoided a disaster.....I hate hearing those stories.....
good luck
 
Bad news!! As the day progressed the tank started to cloud up again. Tonight I find myself in the same boat as last night. The tank is cloudy, not as white as last night. Fish are all sitting on the bottom breathing heavy. I've run all tests. PH is low (7.4 or less) and the DKH is 14+ (not a typo).

I need advice and quickly. I've already done a water change (3rd one in 24 hours) and am making water for a 4th before midnight.

What can I do beyond water changes to stabilize the tank??
 
Forgot to mention a couple things:

System water volume is 160 gallons.

Each water change has been about 10% (16-18 gallons). This is due to a lack of larger storage container and limited supply of RO/DI water.
 
Next batch of water is mixing now.

Foxface and sixline are dead. Others appears to be hangning in there. The Naso is back in the frag tank and swiming about.
 
Managed to get the niger trigger and move it to the frag tank. Looks majorly stressed. Hope it makes it.

The pair of goldstrip maroon clowns are hanging out near the bottom of the tank in a cave. They are swiming around and appear to be hanging in there.

Only fish left are a pair of yellow tail damsels. One was captured and moved to another tank and is swiming about. Have not seen the other.

Pink/Black cucumber is moving around as if nothing was wrong.

Corals and clam are all closed.
 
Some seltzer water will help with the pH. I'd avoid using vinegar, if possible, since it can fuel bacterial problems. The more aeration the better, and check the SG.

I'd switch to using a peristaltic pump to add limewater, and limit its pumping rate to something the tank can withstand.
 
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