M
member 99594
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View BadgesHey all,
I just recently experienced what I think I would consider a small crash. A few things died and the tank took a noticeable down turn for a few months. Like everything in this hobby we try to take as much out of anything and learn along the way. I thought this would be a great thread starter not only to learn about other hobbyists but, to show new hobbyists that there is a way back to success when all could seem lost. Possibly preventing a tear down.
"TANK CRASH -- Now, what did you learn?"
5 or so months ago I had been doing some rock scaping and changing some things around in my system. I had a fairly large rock of Pulsing Xneia that was starting to move from its island to other main rock scape in my tank. I made the decision to replace this rock with a similar size rock from another system. This rock was about 12x4x2. *this removed a massive amount of bioload and ticked pretty much everything off in my system and I think brought in flatworms and aptaisa. (what it think was the main issue)
After I had done this and combined with flatworms an aiptasia issue and an asterina starfish breakout I had some corals, various SPS and some LPS and even Zoas take a turn for the worst. I was at this time trying everything, LiveRock Enhance, Vibrant, bigger massive water changes, I tried Flatworm exit (worked for the flatworms), and overall trying too much to fast and too much at once. I think the flatworm exit was also a big part of it too. I was ready to pack it in.
That all being said, I now feel like I know my tank better than ever after this crash. I am way more in tune with what is going on, and how important nutrient levels and ca and alk all play a role and when you move one leaver at a time.... KEEP IT SIMPLE FOLKS, especially when you are starting out. Don't get sucked into all those pour and pray remedies. I do think Vibrant and Live Rock Enhance are great products if you are using them sparingly and giving enough time between trying other things and all the while TEST TEST TEST.
What I think helped was taking a step back and simplifying the system and getting back to basics!!
I would love to hear some more stories of crashes where you knew you did something or something happened and instead of packing it in you returned from the dead and revived your tank.
Cheers!!
Astrina Starfish had eaten a bunch of coraline algae and Monti's colour coming back.
Here you can see a large chunk of coraline fell off the back of the tank above.
Right side and left shots and on the right side of the tank you can see better the coraline is coming back.
Silver Hammer lost a head and one almost coming back out. Some zoas that were not happy.
I just recently experienced what I think I would consider a small crash. A few things died and the tank took a noticeable down turn for a few months. Like everything in this hobby we try to take as much out of anything and learn along the way. I thought this would be a great thread starter not only to learn about other hobbyists but, to show new hobbyists that there is a way back to success when all could seem lost. Possibly preventing a tear down.
"TANK CRASH -- Now, what did you learn?"
5 or so months ago I had been doing some rock scaping and changing some things around in my system. I had a fairly large rock of Pulsing Xneia that was starting to move from its island to other main rock scape in my tank. I made the decision to replace this rock with a similar size rock from another system. This rock was about 12x4x2. *this removed a massive amount of bioload and ticked pretty much everything off in my system and I think brought in flatworms and aptaisa. (what it think was the main issue)
After I had done this and combined with flatworms an aiptasia issue and an asterina starfish breakout I had some corals, various SPS and some LPS and even Zoas take a turn for the worst. I was at this time trying everything, LiveRock Enhance, Vibrant, bigger massive water changes, I tried Flatworm exit (worked for the flatworms), and overall trying too much to fast and too much at once. I think the flatworm exit was also a big part of it too. I was ready to pack it in.
That all being said, I now feel like I know my tank better than ever after this crash. I am way more in tune with what is going on, and how important nutrient levels and ca and alk all play a role and when you move one leaver at a time.... KEEP IT SIMPLE FOLKS, especially when you are starting out. Don't get sucked into all those pour and pray remedies. I do think Vibrant and Live Rock Enhance are great products if you are using them sparingly and giving enough time between trying other things and all the while TEST TEST TEST.
What I think helped was taking a step back and simplifying the system and getting back to basics!!
- 5% water change weekly
- Only running Alk and Ca 2 part
- Carbon replaced every couple of weeks
- Acropower on a doser 1/4 the recommended dose
I would love to hear some more stories of crashes where you knew you did something or something happened and instead of packing it in you returned from the dead and revived your tank.
Cheers!!
Astrina Starfish had eaten a bunch of coraline algae and Monti's colour coming back.
Here you can see a large chunk of coraline fell off the back of the tank above.
Right side and left shots and on the right side of the tank you can see better the coraline is coming back.
Silver Hammer lost a head and one almost coming back out. Some zoas that were not happy.
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