Tank Collapse - What a sad day....
- Thread starter j0tca
- Start date
I haven't researched this recently so take my opinion with a grain of salt since it might be very wrong.
My understanding is that H. magnifica will release toxins, not just large scale decomposition, into the water column as it expires. What happened to me was not likely caused by the decomposing of the animal since the time frames were just too short.
Within at most 3 hours (more likely 1) of the event, my fish were near death; I don't think there is any chance that the decomposition of the animal had really ramped up in time to do that. All fish were on their side as soon as I saw them with deep auburn/maroon stains on their gills. It showed through the skin of the fish and looked like it was underneath. My guess is some toxin because of the response of the fish and the suddenness of it all. All fish were dead within 3-6 hours of the event in both my QT tank and main tank. The shrimp and corals seem largely unaffected. Only things with gills died and my sps/lps stayed open through almost the entire thing; some covering themselves in a mucous layer. If it had been a result of elevated ammonia from decomposition, or frankly any other water parameter then I would have seen a larger effect on my corals.
Also, there were 2 miraculous exceptions, fish that remained unaffected by the entire affair. My 2 perculas showed no signs of distress at any point and were happily swimming this morning (and eating). I can only assume this is because of their immunity to whatever toxin the anemone normally secrets on its tentacles. Their symbiotic relationship with the anemone saved their life I think.
eddiereefs
New member
My condolences, we are all glutons for punishment.
mpderksen
New member
Sir, I do feel for you. I too have fond affection for the life in my tanks.
If I may ask a question so I can learn from this? I have an MP10, so the openings are not as big as a '40, but still, I hesitate to add a nem. My MP10 came with a foam ring. I never used it until my Foxface got stuck to the side, twice in 3 days for a few hours. She's fine now, and it was a few months back, so no harm done. Since then, I put the foam on. It's a pain to clean regularly, but could this have prevented your disaster?
I'm truly not attempting to rub in any kind of snarky comment. And since I don't own a 40, perhaps my question is naive. For my own tank, I just don't want to risk dropping a toxic bag of death into a VitaMix. But I'm seriously loving a Sunburst right now and very tempted.
If I may ask a question so I can learn from this? I have an MP10, so the openings are not as big as a '40, but still, I hesitate to add a nem. My MP10 came with a foam ring. I never used it until my Foxface got stuck to the side, twice in 3 days for a few hours. She's fine now, and it was a few months back, so no harm done. Since then, I put the foam on. It's a pain to clean regularly, but could this have prevented your disaster?
I'm truly not attempting to rub in any kind of snarky comment. And since I don't own a 40, perhaps my question is naive. For my own tank, I just don't want to risk dropping a toxic bag of death into a VitaMix. But I'm seriously loving a Sunburst right now and very tempted.
Anemones use stinging cells called nematocysts to stun/kill prey. When one gets into a powerhead, those cells are chopped up and mixed into the water column that all the fish are swimming in and breathing. It really can do a number on a tank.
It's hard to say. After doing a quick google search to see what foam you were referring to, I saw some pictures of it. Maybe it would have; I would think the anemone is too squishy, too soft to be saved by the foam which I could imagine working well with fish. But I didn't have it on my pumps so I really don't know. Unfortunately I can't really think of a humane way to test this so it'll have to remain a mystery for the moment.
ZeeSparrow
New member
Thank you for taking the time to write this up, so that others may learn. I don't have a tank (yet?) but am researching and this is truly eye-opening.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Chasmodes
Well-known member
This is sad, sorry to hear about the collapse of your tank and your livestock passing away. I don't think that your husbandry practices were lacking in any way, based on what I've read on this post. You've kept that anemone for many years without issue, and that could have continued. My only question is, why did the anemone move? Was it the change in equipment? Or, was it just aging and died naturally? At least you know that you've learned something from the experience that, if you figure out a way, will benefit your tank and the inhabitants in the future.
Best of luck.
Best of luck.
After being stable for about 3 years it moved within 3 days of changing my skimmer. I believe the reduction of nutrients (for lack of a better word) in the water caused it to move. These animals are very light hungry so I suspect with a change in the water, the anemone decided to try to climb higher towards the lights. It was healthy so I don't think there was any real reason other than that change. Anemone's move with change frequently and tend to return to a stable spot on the rock work after a couple days. I've seen that behavior with similar animals and equipment changes in the past and it had no repercussions (unless it walks over other coral).
This is the first time I had one let go of it's footing to float to a new spot. I can only assume that's what happened and the pump picked it up as it was floating.
The anemones I've kept over the years have been one of the most rewarding aspects of this hobby to me. It's hard for me to recommend to another to not keep one, even after this, as I have gotten so much joy over the years from them.
In the future I'm going to probably not risk an entire tank of fish with it however and make a separate dt if I decide to keep them again. I don't think I'll have any pumps in that tank...
Compliance
Member
sucks. sorry to hear that.
reefzombie
New member
Wow, that's terrible. I've seen people put prefilter sponges around the outside of those pump. You've probably thought of that, but maybe it helps.
Steve Atkins
New member
Sorry for your losses.
Had that happen but to a much lesser extent (damage to Magnifica but no fish losses). The pump in question got surrounded by a cage made of gutter guard after that event – not pretty but functional. That Magnifica recovered and eventually split into about 4 new specimens, all but one of which I gave away.
One of those 4 offspring eventually went into a pump and was shredded, killing all fish other than the clowns in the guy’s tank. But, I had been telling him he needed to replace his bulbs or the anemone would start wandering so, since he ignored that advice, I figure the disaster was pretty much his own making. Those anemonies will always wander if they get too little light or too little current.
The one I kept has been in the same spot (different tank to where the first incident occurred) for about 6 years but I am soon to move it to a new, smaller, tank and from 400W MH lighting to LED lighting. Just in case it wanders I am going to shroud both my Tunze Stream pumps with gutter guard until it settles. I will also give it it’s own led tile (Aquabeam 2000) to encourage it to stay put.
Steve
Had that happen but to a much lesser extent (damage to Magnifica but no fish losses). The pump in question got surrounded by a cage made of gutter guard after that event – not pretty but functional. That Magnifica recovered and eventually split into about 4 new specimens, all but one of which I gave away.
One of those 4 offspring eventually went into a pump and was shredded, killing all fish other than the clowns in the guy’s tank. But, I had been telling him he needed to replace his bulbs or the anemone would start wandering so, since he ignored that advice, I figure the disaster was pretty much his own making. Those anemonies will always wander if they get too little light or too little current.
The one I kept has been in the same spot (different tank to where the first incident occurred) for about 6 years but I am soon to move it to a new, smaller, tank and from 400W MH lighting to LED lighting. Just in case it wanders I am going to shroud both my Tunze Stream pumps with gutter guard until it settles. I will also give it it’s own led tile (Aquabeam 2000) to encourage it to stay put.
Steve
AmberLee
Eager to learn Newbie
I may risk it eventually, but we'll see. Might try the covers everyone's mentioning if I do though!
Good luck with whatever you try from here, I hope you manage to make it even better this time!
Mrs. Music
New member
That is just so sad. I am truly sorry for your loss. RIP beloved fishies.
