View Full Version : What a Day


cabbagehead
12-22-2006, 12:41 AM
I got a call from a friend of mine who had inherited some fish tanks and supplies and did not want them. Thinking it would just be some freshwater setup agreed to help him breakdown the tanks and take anything I could use. What happened next blew my mind.

I walked in to what looked like a 110gal aquarium filled with water but void of life.
To my left was a small 40gal that had a Convict Tang and a black true perc. There was about six inches of water evaporated off and both fish looked very stressed. I walked into the kitchen were a 60gal full reef setup stood. Again with a lot of evap and some very stressed/dead corals. I was offered the whole lot for the sum of $100. I did not take the 110gal because the owner was going to use it for a reptile tank. Here is the inventory:

1 40gal tank
1 60gal tank
2 AquaC remora skimmers (condition unknown)
1 4x96 watt power compact fixture
1 2x96 watt power compact fixture
70 lbs live rock
1 chiller (1/2 horse condition unknown)
1 closed loop system powered by a little giant 4MDSQ

1 Convict Tang
1 Maroon clown
1 black perc
1 six line wrasse
3 peppermint shrimp
1 cleaner shrimp
6 finger leather corals
1 toadstool

Various pumps, powerheads and test kits and a lot of additives.

I was very unprepared but I had to get the stuff today because the power was being shut off and the realtor needed everything out ASAP. I ran to the store and bought five rubermaid containers to transport. After filling my minivan I began the long ride home. Not expecting more rock or fish I had very little water made up and could tell that the fish were getting very stressed. I decided to get them in the main display ASAP. I could only acclimate for 1 hour so I did a drip and began to reaquascape my display. I was able to get the rock in place and the corals super glued in that hour so it was time to take a risk. I dumped the Convict Tang in first. He headed right for the veggie clip and started chomping away. The clowns were next and they disappeared behind the rock work. As of now both clowns are out and seem to be playing nicely with my two false percs. The Convict seems to love the extra space and has not stopped eating. I tested the salinity of the water that the fish and coral were in and it read 1.034!!! I am amazed that everything is doing so well and even more amazed that I got all of this for $100. My friend seemed relived when all of the fish stuff was out of the house and thanked me at least a dozen times. I will post pictures of my additions in a few days in my long overdue update to my tank thread. I am a little nervous about possible hitchhikers but thought it was worth the risk. I know risk and success are not common denominators in this hobby so I guess only time will tell.

lcstorc
12-22-2006, 08:36 AM
Congrats!
See you started off trying to do a good thing and save the animals and got repaid by getting a lot more than what you expected for a ridiculously low price.
Glad to see you get to reap the rewards.

cloob
12-22-2006, 08:50 AM
Kinda like winning the Saltwater fish & tank lottery!

stang5_o2002
12-22-2006, 12:46 PM
Man! Must be nice! I never find deals like that. Thats one heck of a Christmas present to yourself. Good luck!

wwest
12-22-2006, 01:25 PM
Very cool. I'll give you $150 for the lot :) lol

CarmieJo
12-22-2006, 10:43 PM
Wow! Now what are you going to do with those tanks?

gwen_o_lyn
12-22-2006, 10:48 PM
Glad you were able to give the critters a much better home.

christensonjes
12-22-2006, 11:12 PM
WOW. WOW. WOW.

yes you definetly won the lottery!

You could just piece all that out and make a fortune

cabbagehead
12-23-2006, 09:13 PM
Just a quick update:
The fish are all doing good. I am a little concerned about the black perc because of some heavy breathing. He is eating but does not look stress free. He has also decided to host a green hairy mushroom. The coral banded shrimp found my other coral banded shrimp and so far all they have done is follow each other around the tank. The large Convict Tang is doing good except for some shyness he has adjusted to my tank and gets along with the other tangs. I don't know if it was the all the new live rock or what but my tank is extremely clear. Water is almost transparent. I'm doing a water change tonight and a thorough cleaning. It is tradition at my house at our Christmas Eve party that all of the children get a chance to feed the tank. We will have about 9 kids so I'll have some fat fish. They love my plate coral and are always amazed it has a mouth. I will have pictures soon. Santa bringing a 7.2megpix Sony zoom camera. I'm gonna give it a holiday workout!
Happy Holidays
Jack

Victoria
12-23-2006, 11:32 PM
Well Jack sounds like a great score. Can't wait for the picture. You must of been nice. lol