Now What?

[RuthM]

went on a one week vacation and had a relative feed and dose the tank with nitrate/phosphate reducer because I have been having issues. Instead of 3mL in my 30gallon tank, they put in 30mL! The water is white, the skimmer is overflowing and all the fish are dead. What is the best way to start again?

 

[PotatoPig]

That really really really sucks. Sorry.

Too late for now, but if you’re ever going to have someone who doesn’t have a reef tank dose things for you you’ll need to measure everything out beforehand and stick it in little plastic water bottles with RODI to make up volume, and have them dump the whole bottle in. Anything else is a recipe for disaster.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Sorry for your losses :(
Did you loose all coral too? If so a tear down and reboot would be the best route. Dispose of all the saltwater, clean everything out really well and start from new.

 

[RuthM]

went on a one week vacation and had a relative feed and dose the tank with nitrate/phosphate reducer because I have been having issues. Instead of 3mL in my 30gallon tank, they put in 30mL! The water is white, the skimmer is overflowing and all the fish are dead. What is the best way to start again?

Does that mean new sand too?, and how can I feed the fish while I'm away in Portugal for 2 weeks in September? I have tried one of those dispensers for dry food, but it dispensed so much that I sent it back.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Does that mean new sand too?, and how can I feed the fish while I'm away in Portugal for 2 weeks in September? I have tried one of those dispensers for dry food, but it dispensed so much that I sent it back.

Probably not a bad idea. Best bet, see if there are any reefers local to you that you can ask or hire to care for your tank. That way it's someone with experience that if a problem should arise, they have the knowledge and understanding to take care of it for you.

 

[RuthM]

My closest LFS about 1.25 hours away each direction. I live in a small community and I don't know of anyone who has a salt tank. I will ask around at the pet stores, but none of them carry any salt supplies or fish. I am thinking I will train my grandson (who lives with us) to feed, and hopefully with the new setup I will not be dosing for N03/PO4. He can message me if there is a problem. Fingers crossed.

 

[Crabs McJones]

You can try posting in local forum. Might get a response there
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/canada.635/

 

[RuthM]

You are awesome! Who knew there was a Canada chapter? I put it out there with fingers crossed.

 

[TacticalBacon]

Same thing happened to me in 2012. I left and came back in 2024.

It’s Feb. you have plenty of time to train someone and have it under control.

My heart goes out to you as I have felt that pain.