Tank-O-death

[reefkoi]

I feel for you man, why do all the nicest tanks end up crashing for one reason or another?
Anyway tell me exactly what you did wrong with the skimmers, I understand you could have gone to a LFS or something and got RO water to fill it back up but I am interested in what went wrong to have caused the overflow so I don't have it happen, I assume you have an external skimmer? I do feel kind of good I have an in sump skimmer, as I have heard that is an advantage with them for this reason, but I don't fully understand what happened.
Chris

 

[jamesdawson]

I'm real sorry to hear about this Steve. Your big tank was definetely my favorite tank and an inspiration to me of what is possible. Even if you could recreate it exactly it would still be many Reefers all time favorite. I'm glad your keeping your attitude up and I can't wait to see the rebuild. With your skills and passion I know it will be even better. When my Pink Lemonade gets to fragging size I would be honored to send you a piece to help out with the rebuild.

James

 

[chImerAnz]

Steve, I am speechless!!! Your tank has always been something I have admired and aspired too. I can share in your loss though, my 150 gallon tank crashed in October last year - although it was no where near the quality of your own, it is absolutely devasting to say the least. I still cannot work out what happened to mine, all my SPS died although most LPS survived. Only a hydnophora lived through it! Best of luck getting it back on track

 

[three-spot]

Sorry to hear about that steve... my stomachs been acting up lately and hearing this made it worse... your tank was the best looking one I've ever seen...

 

[Bebo77]

WOW... so sorry.. but i look forward to what you have in the future...

best of luck....

 

[fishdoc11]

Very sorry to hear Steve.
Your tank was ( and I'm sure will be again )an inspiration to me and obviously to countless others........a masterpiece really. If you are interested I will be more than happy to help with new frags when the time comes. Sometimes overreacting is really hard not to do with a reef tank.

Good luck, Chris

 

[steveweast]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9560984#post9560984 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefkoi
I feel for you man, why do all the nicest tanks end up crashing for one reason or another?
Anyway tell me exactly what you did wrong with the skimmers, I understand you could have gone to a LFS or something and got RO water to fill it back up but I am interested in what went wrong to have caused the overflow so I don't have it happen, I assume you have an external skimmer? I do feel kind of good I have an in sump skimmer, as I have heard that is an advantage with them for this reason, but I don't fully understand what happened.
Chris

Chris.... Yes, I do have a Deltec external skimmer. Over time the pumps become fouled with calcium build up and become less efficient.....at the same time....we constantly adjust our skimmers for optimum production (usually by increasing the air input or increasing the flow through the skimmer). So...when I cleaned those pumps (first time in a year)....they became more efficient....and the skimmer settings were now too high to maintain water level....hence after what was probably a few hours, the skimmer overflowed and drained to the sewer. Usually I plan such maintenance when I know that I can be around for many hours...it was unfortunate that I got called away. In my case, I have my skimmer hooked directly up to the sewer because of my skimmer's self cleaning head discharges alot of water twice a day....so....a skimmate collection vessel isn't an option for me.

This disaster really wasn't an equipment failure, though.....it was a people failure. In fact, with an empty sump, most systems would have been fried by the lights or diluted with fresh water if there were an auto topoff (with float switch) in place.....my computer shut off my lights preventing just that....my equipment safe guards worked.

Where I went wrong was in not stopping and trying to think through the problem. I couldn't get water....200 gals is alot to transport and it was 10pm. The correct answer would have been to allow the problem to continue until water could be made to solve the problem.....all the while, adding O2 to the main tank. It would have taken another day or two....but, it would have worked. The disaster was in my trying to immediately solve the problem.

 

[ezcompany]

maybe always keep 100 gallons of water on reserve? i know that sounds like much but i think it can be done fairly cheaply in a large rubbermaid.
I'm very sorry to hear your loss. I can only look forward to the new corals you'll be placing in the future. thank you from the Reefcentral Community for not giving up and having a stellar outlook on things!

Jin

 

[prop-frags]

wow Steve...

My heart just dropped reading this thread. I know how much that system means to you. And to lose all those beautiful animals...
Words just can't describe the anguish you (and many of us) feel.

I had a similar incident last week - skimmers overflowed all day - ATO added a bunch of fresh water. But I didn't freak. I just dumped in all the salt water I had on hand and started making new. But I was panicking, too - just as you did. I wanted terribly to do something immediately to get the system back to normal. Lucky for me the SG only dropped 5 points, and no casualties.

I've got SPS - would be honored to send you some frags to get you back up. Hang in there!!

 

[flyhigh123]

sorry to hear the loss, i really love your tank...

for the skimmer, u can make a hole on the collection cup with a tube to a larger collector. The larger collector needs to have only one opening with something like a ping pong ball inside... if too much water goes into the large collector the ping pong ball floats to the top and blocks the collector from collecting any more... this will ensure that the tank doesnt dump too much water...

 

[Bax]

This is a very sad thing to read, your tank has been a huge inspiration to me and so many other. Your very level headed self evaluation is equally as inspiring.

... and I don't feel so bad about all the less than brilliant things I do all the time.

Best of luck, I look forward to your re building.

 

[Nitroq2]

Oh man, this is a sore reminder that haste makes waste. I loved your tank I hate it for you. Your tank was an inspiration to so many and it always hit the idol threads.

 

[pledosophy]

Your tank got me into keeping corals. It has inspired many keepers. Thank you for that.

I'm sure you'll come back strong. Look forward to see the new aquascaping, loved your last look.

Your cold water tank with the pots is pretty awesome too, but seahorses are kinda my thing.

Good Luck.

Kevin
PNWMAS

 

[SERVO]

I wish I could have helped in some way! I can't wait to see your new aquascaping. Your current design really changed the 2 Lbs/gallon wall of rock dogma. So, So, So, Sorry!

 

[reefez]

All I can say is Dam ! I really admire your positive outlook on this and I will think of this the next time I make a bad decision and think of bailing on the hobby. Your tank is amazeing! And I know it will be better then ever! Keep us updated on the progress.

 

[chewie]

Ouch! I'm glad to see you have taken this whole thing so well Steve. I can't imagine how I would hold up to a loss as big as this was for you.

It will be very interesting to see what your tank will look like in another 6 months or so.

Good luck to you my friend.

 

[Nyles]

Sorry to here about this Steve...... I love the pics of your tank, and they have been my pc desktop background for a long time, hope to get some new ones from ya! Take care.

 

[Typhon]

OMG!!! I am still trying to catch my breath!!! :eek2:

I am so sorry to hear what happened. Your tank has always been an inspiration to me. When everything settles down, I would be more than happen to send you some frags to help you re-build your reef.

 

[manderx]

thanks for being man enough to post, many would be too embarrassed to say anything. this way we all learn from it.

does portland put chloramine their water? if so, i bet your old dechlor didn't detox the ammonia. though 200g isn't that much considering the size of your system, so who knows...

 

[tecoral]

Steve, you show so much class and optimism.......you're truely a positive role model for the hobby. Hang in there.