Nuked tank and need advice

[MajorDad74]

Hey gang. I recently destroyed my tank by over dosing ammonium bicarbonate. I have memory issues from a car accident and forgot I was adding it which dosed for an hour and used half a gallon instead of a few ml. I lost 80% of live stock which is making me sick. The rest are in quarantine and doing well.
First water change was 40 gallons. Next day another 10. Yesterday, 70. This is a 129 gallon system. Iv’e been adding Dr t live bacteria and Fritz’s. It’s only a little better.

I am absolutely sick and lost and need some help before I make it worse or give up completely.

Thanks in advance

 

[Reef Jedi]

Personally I would keep diluting, if this was my system I would do another 75% w/c. Re test levels after. Things will not be happy but dilution and bringing that level down will be crucial.

 

[MajorDad74]

Personally I would keep diluting, if this was my system I would do another 75% w/c. Re test levels after. Things will not be happy but dilution and bringing that level down will be crucial.

The only inhabitants in the tank now are a couple emerald crabs, a fire shrimp and a few green hairy mushrooms. That’s it.

 

[pledosophy]

I don't have any advice besides water changes, but wanted to chime in and say I'm sorry that happened to your tank. We've all made mistakes. I hope the path back is as best as it can be for you.

 

[Fish Fan]

Hey gang. I recently destroyed my tank by over dosing ammonium bicarbonate. I have memory issues from a car accident and forgot I was adding it which dosed for an hour and used half a gallon instead of a few ml. I lost 80% of live stock which is making me sick. The rest are in quarantine and doing well.
First water change was 40 gallons. Next day another 10. Yesterday, 70. This is a 129 gallon system. Iv’e been adding Dr t live bacteria and Fritz’s. It’s only a little better.

I am absolutely sick and lost and need some help before I make it worse or give up completely.

Thanks in advance

I'm sorry to hear about your loses, I know how frustrating something like this can be

You've done a lot of water change, which should have helped. Do you know your ammonia concentration at this point?

 

[BryanM]

Countless stories of mistakes, you're on track with big water changes and diligence, and I wish you the best!

 

[MajorDad74]

Hey gang. I recently destroyed my tank by over dosing ammonium bicarbonate. I have memory issues from a car accident and forgot I was adding it which dosed for an hour and used half a gallon instead of a few ml. I lost 80% of live stock which is making me sick. The rest are in quarantine and doing well.
First water change was 40 gallons. Next day another 10. Yesterday, 70. This is a 129 gallon system. Iv’e been adding Dr t live bacteria and Fritz’s. It’s only a little better.

I am absolutely sick and lost and need some help before I make it worse or give up completely.

Thanks in advance

I'm sorry to hear about your loses, I know how frustrating something like this can be

You've done a lot of water change, which should have helped. Do you know your ammonia concentration at this point?

It’s about 8ppm

 

[zheka757]

I also agree with ithers, water changes probably best course, I wouldn't add any live bacteria just yet, wait untill you amonia is under control, you can start dosing bacteria when you amonia is under 1ppm,

 

[zheka757]

It’s about 8ppm

Live bacteria will most likely not survive at 8ppm, I wouldn't dose it

 

[zheka757]

How about amonia removal additive?they sell them out there?

 

[BeanAnimal]

@Randy Holmes-Farley — advice here other than more water changes?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If the ammonia is 8 ppm, I’d still add bacteria and continue water changes until ammonia hits 2 ppm.

Keep the pH low to reduce toxicity. Maybe even add an acid slowly to reduce alk and pH. Alk to 5-6 dKH and pH 7.5 will reduce tox a lot. Maybe even lower is desirable.

 

[MajorDad74]

How about amonia removal additive?they sell them out there?

I’m using ammonia and nitrate media and live bacteria from Dr t and Fritz.

 

[MajorDad74]

If the ammonia is 8 ppm, I’d still add bacteria and continue water changes until ammonia hits 2 ppm.

Keep the pH low to reduce toxicity. Maybe even add an acid slowly to reduce alk and pH. Alk to 5-6 dKH and pH 7.5 will reduce tox a lot. Maybe even lower is desirable.

Should I use distilled vinegar or do you have a supplement you recommend?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Should I use distilled vinegar or do you have a supplement you recommend?

Yes, grocery store cheap distilled white vinegar.

 

[MajorDad74]

Left

Left is yesterday right just now. I lost about 6ppm in 24 hours. Somehow I keep pushing even though I want to quit. This has been an absolutely heartbreaking experience. I’ve learned I have to rely on my doser and be patient.
Thanks to everyone who reached out !

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So sorry to hear of the troubles. Reefing is filled with heartbreaks…