Installed new sump woke up to dead fish
- Thread starter JAWSIII
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redeyejedi
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Gutted for you. We all make mistakes in life. At least you know the problem now.
NeonRabbit221B
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I am sure if we did a poll here of users who have nuked or came close to nuking their own tank we would be sitting around a 50%. I came close a few times myself.
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JAWSIII
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Thanks for all the input. YEAH IT REALLY SUCKS!!! I do have a question regarding the media that I have in the sump. So I have 3 bags of (de- nitrate ) media that I previously in the canister and it sat in the sump all night. I also have the new xport plate that was not previously used that sat in the sump all night. Should I put the bags of de nitrate back in the canister or leave em out ???
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I personally would get rid of anything that could absorb the chemical if possible....
When I nuked my tank the same way, I did keep the LR and I still have fish from the tank 12 years later.
I cought it within 24hrs like you.
The presence of mold inhibitors is certainly a red flag, but I would continue to evaluate everything else that happened to be sure you don't overlook another problem. I have no idea how quickly the mold inhibitors would leach into the water, particularly since the silicone had cured for 6 days. So, I don't think it's 100% certain that this is what killed your fish.
Also, be aware that some silicones are labeled "not for aquarium use" because they are not rated for underwater use. If used to build an aquarium they might not hold the bond after being submerged. I've used these to place baffles inside of sumps without any problem, but I have avoided the ones with mold inhibitors.
Also, be aware that some silicones are labeled "not for aquarium use" because they are not rated for underwater use. If used to build an aquarium they might not hold the bond after being submerged. I've used these to place baffles inside of sumps without any problem, but I have avoided the ones with mold inhibitors.
Skynyrd Fish
Valuable Member
I would do an ro rinse and soak on your media.
Uncle99
7500 Club Member
Your assumption is the silicone killed your fish.
Maybe true, maybe not.
I’d move sequentially and have a good look before doing anything more....that is......if there’s been no more death, watch carefully.
The silicone only had a short contact time after drying for 6 days, it may have added some ammonia to the waters which would have only a temporary effect.
Maybe true, maybe not.
I’d move sequentially and have a good look before doing anything more....that is......if there’s been no more death, watch carefully.
The silicone only had a short contact time after drying for 6 days, it may have added some ammonia to the waters which would have only a temporary effect.
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Sorry to hear about your loss. When you reinstall the sump, you may consider allowing the PVC glue to dry for at least 24 hours prior to use, discarding any of the possibly contaminated media, and allowing the sump and cannister to run simultaneously for awhile if possible to allow the media in the sump to build a bacteria population before taking the cannister off line. Might reduce the chances of other contributing factors. Just a thought.
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JAWSIII
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Thanks for everyone’s input. It helps a little to know that similar has happened to others. I JUST FEEL TERRIBLE AND STUPID TO KNOW THAT I ESSENTIALLY POISONED MY TANK.
ANYWAY. My plan is to take all of the bad silicone out of the sump and clean really well and redo the sump with the proper silicone. I have already put back on the canister and the aquaclear 110 and have taken the sump offline.
after all is properly cured I will reinstall the sump and run the new sump in conjunction with the canister and aquaclear for a few weeks. The. Hopefully everything will be ok.
THE CRAPPY THING IS THAT IN AN EDFORT TO SAVE MONEY BY DOING A DIY SUMP IT IS GONNA WND UP COSTING ME MORE AND I HAVE LOST SOME NICE FISH. AND OF COURSE ONE OF THE LOST FISH WAS MY WIFES FAVORITE!!!
gonna be a a while before I cam replace due to expense.
thanks all.
ANYWAY. My plan is to take all of the bad silicone out of the sump and clean really well and redo the sump with the proper silicone. I have already put back on the canister and the aquaclear 110 and have taken the sump offline.
after all is properly cured I will reinstall the sump and run the new sump in conjunction with the canister and aquaclear for a few weeks. The. Hopefully everything will be ok.
THE CRAPPY THING IS THAT IN AN EDFORT TO SAVE MONEY BY DOING A DIY SUMP IT IS GONNA WND UP COSTING ME MORE AND I HAVE LOST SOME NICE FISH. AND OF COURSE ONE OF THE LOST FISH WAS MY WIFES FAVORITE!!!
gonna be a a while before I cam replace due to expense.
thanks all.
Gtinnel
10K Club member
Sorry to hear about the loss, but I think you will find many of us have done stupid things with our tanks, I know I have. So try not to beat yourself up over it.
Also, not trying to kick you when your down but if your wife's favorite fish was the Vlamingii tang I just wanted to point out it gets way too big for your tank. I'm not sure what a shoulder angel is but if it is a orange shoulder tang it also gets too big for your tank
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JAWSIII
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UPDATE.. After getting home from work I lost 4 more fish yellow tang, 2 blue chromis and a anthias. The only 2 fish left are a pair of black clowns. Funny thing is it seems non of the inverts are affected at all. 3 peppermint shrimp 1 coral banded shrimp and at least 17 hermits and 9 snails all seem to just fine. The corals are not as open as before but they all have color and are opening mostly.
does this make sense with what myself and others have speculated that what caused this was toxicity from the mildew resistant silicone. Specially methanol and ammonia (that the MSDS states are released when this particular silicone interacts with water.
does it make sense that if methanol and ammonia are to blame that the fish would die and the inverts seem to be ok??
any input is appreciated.
I have already started removing all the bad silicone and will start over with new. Hopefully the fish loss has stopped and the inverts and corals will live.
does this make sense with what myself and others have speculated that what caused this was toxicity from the mildew resistant silicone. Specially methanol and ammonia (that the MSDS states are released when this particular silicone interacts with water.
does it make sense that if methanol and ammonia are to blame that the fish would die and the inverts seem to be ok??
any input is appreciated.
I have already started removing all the bad silicone and will start over with new. Hopefully the fish loss has stopped and the inverts and corals will live.
Remove and re-do it. It is good for 10 years... TEN YEARS. I would not think this will be cured by carbon, only covered up.
Need to do water changes too.
Sorry this happened, have seen it happen many times before to people :/
What a nightmare. I know the silicone is a problem that has to be fixed, but I still cannot believe that is the only problem here, particularly given the fact you took the sump off line and replaced the canister filter and you still had more deaths. I know you've racked your brain to recall anything else that might have happened. I wish we had more to offer than speculation.
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