What a nightmare!

[volunteerguy]

So I was on vacation and at a conference for 2 weeks.

In the middle of my vacation, my housesitter leaves a message that there is no power on in the tank and she didn't know how long it had been out for.

By the time I was able to return the call and tried to determine what happened it was almost 24 hours later. I had her set-up an alternate power source for the lights and the pump.

I came home to find half my fish gone. Including a yellow and hippo tang that I had for almost 4 years! The majority of my corals were withered but for the most part ok.

When I hit the gfi outlet the ballast on one of my halides erupted into flames! Thank goodness it didn't happen while I was on vacation or it would be bye bye house!

Needless to say, I have now done a mega water change and replaced my cleanup crew. I'm hoping to have things back to normal pretty soon.

All I can say is next vacation, i'll be paying a professional to service the tank.

 

[prsouthfl]

so what happened?
it really sucks loosing fish ive been there
wilma wiped out my 180 s

 

[macawmagic]

i wasj ust on vaca for a week and my autotop off failed...worked perfectly for months now and all of a sudden fails while im on vaca!!! anyways there was no feed to my grow out tank so there was no flow at all...nothings looking that good! both the clowns that were in there died! I hope all my frags stay alive cuz I've got some expensive stuff in there!

any recomendations on what I should do? I just did a 20 gal. water change.

 

[volunteerguy]

I think that the ballast blew on the halide and tripped the gfi. The problem is the gfi outlet is now burnt and it is located behind the tank.

To change it, i'll have to breakdown my 120, move it out of the way and install a new outlet. Although, I may have an electrician come in and install a new outlet in a different location so that I won't have to deal with this issue in the future.

I was thinking of adding a battery back-up, just in case and potentially find a way of hooking it up somehow to send me a text message if the power does go out on the tank.

The additional cost would certainly be worth it considering the cost of replacing an entire tank.

 

[volunteerguy]

test your levels...see where you're at and keep doing water changes if needed...potentially move your frags to another healthier tank for the meantime?

 

[Sharkonwheels]

Sorry for your loss.

Next time, just post on here and look for people to help out in an emergency. Minininja did this a few eeks back, and had a list of people available on their cell phones for emergency.

I know it doesn't help you right now, but for the future....


Tony

 

[ninjamini]

That sucks and was my worst nightmare when I went away for the last two weeks.

I had a list of 4 reefers and Pat from reef life in case of emergency. My cousin who does not have a tank would not know what to do. He just had to call me.


Sorry for your losses.

 

[volunteerguy]

Thanks Tony. I had a reliable and experienced pet sitter watching the house. She had an emergency and her back-up come over who didn't know. By the time I found out, called back the damage was done.

Next time will certainly be different

 

[Flamehawk]

Sorry to hear about your loss! If you have any tech questions we'd be happy to help out. That's why we never go on vacation. Joking!

We do tank sitting, so in the future shoot me a pm if you're looking for someone reliable.

Morgan

 

[LouPhoenix]

Hey Volunteer, I'm also right down the street from you, so any time you need a tank sitter, let me know. I'd be happy to help out.

 

[volunteerguy]

Thanks Morgan and Lou...we're headed out again in December so shoot me a pm with your contact info. I certainly appreciate it.

 

[REDDAWG43]

Hey Sean remember I am near by Mon-Fri too...
Plus you know in an emergency I will be there anytime....
You got my number buddy...

 

[Sharkonwheels]

Ditto - I'll pm you my number for emergency, just put me a little further down the list. It's not for not wanting to help, more because the others will have more knowledge and experience, but do call if you have an emergency and need me.

I know a couple of guys on here have spent hours with me on my tank already (and Mel offered also) so I wouldn;t mind returning the favor.


Tony

 

[volunteerguy]

Thanks Mel...hope all is well with you!