Despair with my 40g breeder

[glb]

In its prime, my 40g looked like this (pic from July. 24

I’ve had this tank for almost 10 years and have been reefing for close to 15-20 years. I’ve always been able to keep it in check, doing all the maintenance myself. I built the entire setup myself (tank, stand, plumbing, etc) and it’s always been my pride and joy.

I had a crash (my first big one) in August due to a dosing mistake pushing my alk up to 15 and overfeeding by someone watching it while I was away, pushing the nitrates up to the 20’s. The Ca was low, a terrible breakout of green algae took hold, and 5 months later I’m still not able to stabilize. Now my tank looks like this

I just pulled out of a ton of green hair algae. I lost all the SPS back in August, gradually most of my LPS have died, although a few look fine. I had a terrible breakout of flatworms, and got a spotted mandarin to help, but it’s still overrun

I know my problems are due to lack of maintenance over the past few months due to work responsibilities. My nutrients were brought back into control (last reading no3 3ppm, po4 0.03ppm, alk was up to 7.1, ca in the 400’s. Mg in the 1300’s. These readings are about 6 weeks old. I will post new readings tomorrow. The tank overheated a few weeks ago to 80 when my return pump heated up before conking out. Its since been replaced and circulation is normal.

I turned off the t-5’s and will leave them off for a few days to help.

Please no judgment. I know it’s my fault, but it’s been so out of whack for so long I don’t even know where to start. I need to find an expert in the Miami area who does house calls. I’ve always been able to fix things like this myself but, even as an advanced reefer, I’m stuck. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! New numbers tomorrow.

 

[Llyod276]

Bummer bro! But hey, maybe it's a sign that you need a bigger tank, with more stuff you can do and revitalize that drive to recreate the beauty you had. Plus its not all lost, the survivors are conditioned against the next crash.

 

[glb]

Bummer bro! But hey, maybe it's a sign that you need a bigger tank, with more stuff you can do and revitalize that drive to recreate the beauty you had. Plus its not all lost, the survivors are conditioned against the next crash.

Thank you!!! (And I’m a chick!)

 

[Llyod276]

I don't discriminate!!! Good for you! Good luck on the future (re-)build.

 

[Ef4life]

Just keep working at it. Weekly water change, scrub and remove as much algae as possible with the rocks in a bucket of water outside of the tank one at a time.

Lack of maintenance got you there, consistency will bring it back with time. Just keep at it

 

[Tahoe61]

I am sorry this happened to you. I have had similar, it's so frustrating and discouraging.
If it were me I would tear it down, put any livestock in a plastic bin, with the rocks, flow heater.
Deep clean it, get some new sand, scrub the rock, and recycle.

 

[glb]

Bummer bro! But hey, maybe it's a sign that you need a bigger tank, with more stuff you can do and revitalize that drive to recreate the beauty you had. Plus it’s not all lost, the survivors are conditioned against the next

Just keep working at it. Weekly water change, scrub and remove as much algae as possible with the rocks in a bucket of water outside of the tank one at a time.

Lack of maintenance got you there, consistency will bring it back with time. Just keep at it

thank you!!! I will continue to scrub off the rocks and change the water!!

 

[glb]

I am sorry this happened to you. I have had similar, it's so frustrating and discouraging.
If it were me I would tear it down, put any livestock in a plastic bin, with the rocks, flow heater.
Deep clean it, get some new sand, scrub the rock, and recycle.

That sounds like a wonderful idea!

 

[glb]

Just keep working at it. Weekly water change, scrub and remove as much algae as possible with the rocks in a bucket of water outside of the tank one at a time.

Lack of maintenance got you there, consistency will bring it back with time. Just keep at it

I will! I feel encouraged that it’s not just me!!

 

[Llyod276]

Do something radical, forget the fishtank! Buy a harley and go tour the country! Help people in Burma find God! Drop acid with papa roach and ozzy! You've been a slave to the fishtank system, long enough! Open your eyes child, this is freedom!!!

 

[kevgib67]

In its prime, my 40g looked like this (pic from July. 24

I’ve had this tank for almost 10 years and have been reefing for close to 15-20 years. I’ve always been able to keep it in check, doing all the maintenance myself. I built the entire setup myself (tank, stand, plumbing, etc) and it’s always been my pride and joy.

I had a crash (my first big one) in August due to a dosing mistake pushing my alk up to 15 and overfeeding by someone watching it while I was away, pushing the nitrates up to the 20’s. The Ca was low, a terrible breakout of green algae took hold, and 5 months later I’m still not able to stabilize. Now my tank looks like this

I just pulled out of a ton of green hair algae. I lost all the SPS back in August, gradually most of my LPS have died, although a few look fine. I had a terrible breakout of flatworms, and got a spotted mandarin to help, but it’s still overrun

I know my problems are due to lack of maintenance over the past few months due to work responsibilities. My nutrients were brought back into control (last reading no3 3ppm, po4 0.03ppm, alk was up to 7.1, ca in the 400’s. Mg in the 1300’s. These readings are about 6 weeks old. I will post new readings tomorrow. The tank overheated a few weeks ago to 80 when my return pump heated up before conking out. Its since been replaced and circulation is normal.

I turned off the t-5’s and will leave them off for a few days to help.

Please no judgment. I know it’s my fault, but it’s been so out of whack for so long I don’t even know where to start. I need to find an expert in the Miami area who does house calls. I’ve always been able to fix things like this myself but, even as an advanced reefer, I’m stuck. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! New numbers tomorrow.

So sorry for your loss! I’ve seen other tank crashes on here that were brought back to their former glory and oh my, yours was definitely glory! Female version of bro, bra? :thinking-face:

 

[glb]

So sorry for your loss! I’ve seen other tank crashes on here that were brought back to their former glory and oh my, yours was definitely glory! Female version of bro, bra? :thinking-face:

You’re making me laugh!!!

 

[glb]

So if I decided to upgrade to a 75g, what would be good LED lights for it? I figure now is the time if a want a bigger tank. I’m pretty sure the 75 has the same footprint at the 40breeder so my stand would work.

 

[Snoopy 67]

If I was going to redo my lighting Reef-Fi would be my choice.
I run a Reefbreeder's now.
You could just take the rocks out , scrub & spray down with regular peroxide.
Let them stay out for 5-10 minutes & replace them into the tank.
This should help a lot but may need to be done again.

 

[glb]

If I was going to redo my lighting Reef-Fi would be my choice.
I run a Reefbreeder's now.
You could just take the rocks out , scrub & spray down with regular peroxide.
Let them stay out for 5-10 minutes & replace them into the tank.
This should help a lot but may need to be done again.

I can take some of them out. Others have rock anemones on them and LPS that are very attached. Thanks for the help!!

 

[Ef4life]

So if I decided to upgrade to a 75g, what would be good LED lights for it? I figure now is the time if a want a bigger tank. I’m pretty sure the 75 has the same footprint at the 40breeder so my stand would work.

75g aqueon is 48” long vs the 40b 36” so unless your stand is oversized it won’t fit.

That said, the 75g has a center brace,
So either at least 1 led light over each 24” half, or do multiple 48” led bars or a combination of led panels and bars to get the desired lighting.

 

[glb]

75g aqueon is 48” long vs the 40b 36” so unless your stand is oversized it won’t fit.

That said, the 75g has a center brace,
So either at least 1 led light over each 24” half, or do multiple 48” led bars or a combination of led panels and bars to get the desired lighting.

Thanks. Are there any tanks that have the same footprint as the 40g breeder

 

[BryanM]

I’m not mentally prepared for this to happen to me. Yikes!

 

[glb]

I’m not mentally prepared for this to happen to me. Yikes!

Thanks. Apparently it happens to just about everyone at some point if you’re in the hobby long enough. Stay on top of maintenance!!!

 

[glb]

On the upswing! I got a Sicce fan for Christmas that’s lowered my temp to 75-76, with a heater to keep it from cooling off too much. The fan lowers the temp 2-3 degrees, which is certainly going to help with algae. I’m determined to return my tank to its glory!