Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 43

Thread: Aaaaaaah! Disaster!

  1. #1
    Crispy Reef Monkey **MOD** Phurst's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Richmond, Virginia
    Posts
    3,921
    Blog Entries
    3
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 39 Times in 33 Posts

    Aaaaaaah! Disaster!

    I had to be at work at the crack of dawn this morning. I wandered downstairs to grab my laptop and head out when I noticed 1) the tank was silent, 2) the carpet was soaked, 3) a srong smell of burnt electronics.

    Looks like sometime in the night the hose popped of the Mag 9 running my skimmer and proceeded to spray the contents of the sump all over the underside of my stand. Spilling ~30 gallons of water, including whatever was in the ATO container that got dumped into the tank, and completely covering all of the plugs, power strips and other electronics in the stand.

    I was already running late, so I ran an extension cord across the room and plugged in my Koralia 4 and ran off to work. I'll probably be here all day, but I'm terrified to see what has happened under the tank, and in it for that matter, since there was probably 15 gallons of kalk in the ATO.....
    **KEEP ME AWAY FROM SUPER GLUE ... i tend to glue my lips shut !!**

  2. #2
    Master Reefer poppin_fresh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Vermont
    Posts
    632
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Awww..that sucks! I hope your tank survives this mess.

    Weren't you just talking about this sort of stuff on 120 gallons?

  3. #3
    Crispy Reef Monkey **MOD** Phurst's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Richmond, Virginia
    Posts
    3,921
    Blog Entries
    3
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 39 Times in 33 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by poppin_fresh View Post

    Weren't you just talking about this sort of stuff on 120 gallons?

    Oh, the irony....
    **KEEP ME AWAY FROM SUPER GLUE ... i tend to glue my lips shut !!**

  4. #4
    Insightful Reefer dkone's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Colorado springs
    Posts
    166
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    OUCH ! dang ! hope all is ok with your tank when you get home - please let us know ! <fingers crossed>

    I had my own flooding nightmare last sumer when the line from my maxijet 1200, that was feeding my home made chiller (which later froze and broke down), popped off and jetted water all over the tank, floor, stand etc. I learned soon after that to use plastic cable clamps, or cable ties, on any hose connection ! I also mounted all my power strips to the walls with drip loops after frying a few with leaks previously ---- which reminds me, the maxijet feeding my phosban reactors isn't clamped - I had best go get some more ties before disaster strikes!
    John
    Member of The Southern Colorado Marine Aquarist Society

    180 mixed reef, 75g sump/fuge, ev180 skimmer, CLM with Sequence Flo Dart. 1134w Odyessea HQI/PC fixture. 2 x Phosban 150 reactors, 2 x 40g frag tanks hooked to main system with 600w P/C lighting

  5. #5
    SPS Reefer / TR Admin lReef lKeeper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Louisville, Ky
    Posts
    4,687
    Blog Entries
    6
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
    dude that really sucks !! i hope everything is OK when you get home.
    lReef lKeeper (Bobby) Admin and Reefer

    Water ...
    Custom 4x2x1 60 gallon, 40B sump

    Equipment ...
    6x54w HO T5 fixture, 300+g rated Frankenskimmer, ATO, 3 Media Reactors (1 p04, 1 N03, 1 Carbon)

    www.lmas.org





    Show people you appreciate their advice! Click the star icon under their name to add to their reputation.



  6. #6
    Curious Reefer Budde's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Albion, New York
    Posts
    40
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    That Sucks! I hope everything is okay when you get home. Let us know how it is.

  7. #7
    Crispy Reef Monkey **MOD** Phurst's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Richmond, Virginia
    Posts
    3,921
    Blog Entries
    3
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 39 Times in 33 Posts
    Should be headed home in a few hours.....
    **KEEP ME AWAY FROM SUPER GLUE ... i tend to glue my lips shut !!**

  8. #8
    Apprentice
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Houston TX
    Posts
    108
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Damn, atleast nothing caught on fire!!!

    You never know, maybe all your Livestock can be salvaged.And just need a new hose and surge protector.


  9. #9
    Crispy Reef Monkey **MOD** Phurst's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Richmond, Virginia
    Posts
    3,921
    Blog Entries
    3
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 39 Times in 33 Posts
    Worked 14 hours, then 2 more on the tank. Temp 66.5, sg 1.019, 2 torts, 1 table, one birdsnest RTNed, all snails and shrimp dead, softies and LPS look mad but OK except my red lobo and plate, which look really bad. Anemones look bad but should be OK, clam looks rough, all fish MIA except 1 chromis. Burned out 3 maxijets and my light timer.

    I'm just beat....
    **KEEP ME AWAY FROM SUPER GLUE ... i tend to glue my lips shut !!**

  10. #10
    Grand Master Reefer CarmieJo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Raleigh, NC
    Posts
    14,980
    Blog Entries
    4
    Thanks
    69
    Thanked 179 Times in 166 Posts
    Ahh, Pearson, I'm sorry. That is terrible.
    Carmie


    Only disasters happen fast!





    Carmie's 54 Corner Tank
    Carmie's Cube


    Show people you value their advice! Click the STAR icon at the bottom of the post to add to their reputation.

  11. #11
    SPS Reefer / TR Admin lReef lKeeper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Louisville, Ky
    Posts
    4,687
    Blog Entries
    6
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
    i think i am gonna be sick, buddy !! let me know if there is anything that i can do to help you recover from this.
    lReef lKeeper (Bobby) Admin and Reefer

    Water ...
    Custom 4x2x1 60 gallon, 40B sump

    Equipment ...
    6x54w HO T5 fixture, 300+g rated Frankenskimmer, ATO, 3 Media Reactors (1 p04, 1 N03, 1 Carbon)

    www.lmas.org





    Show people you appreciate their advice! Click the star icon under their name to add to their reputation.



  12. #12
    Crispy Reef Monkey **MOD** Phurst's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Richmond, Virginia
    Posts
    3,921
    Blog Entries
    3
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 39 Times in 33 Posts
    And here's the culprit.




    They are totally fused...


    After some much needed sleep, I'm trying to look on the bright side. Things could have been much, much worse. Both for the tank and for me and my family. There could have been a serious fire. This is a good excuse to redo the sump area, and set up my new digital controller (sticks tongue out at Bobby).

    aside from that, I'm just going to keep things as stable as possible over the next several days and see where I am.

    I pulled out everything dead I could see last night. I still haven't seen any fish, but i haven't seen any dead fish either. I'm cautiously optimistic that at least some of them were hiding/sleeping in the rock work. I'd just like to say, it's great being involved in this hobby. The people you meet are just awesome. I've gotten lots of offers of help both from my local club members and from folks here as well.

    Reefers are the best!
    **KEEP ME AWAY FROM SUPER GLUE ... i tend to glue my lips shut !!**

  13. #13
    Grand Master Reefer Amphibious's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Ft. Pierce, FL
    Posts
    4,702
    Blog Entries
    1
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked 122 Times in 91 Posts
    Considering all that could have happened due to that disaster, Pearson, you are very fortunate. Sorry you had to experience this just to get a digital controller.

    If there is anything I can do just ask.

    Dick
    Amphibious

    Good Luck comes to those who research and prepare.


    Our Talking Reef Forum The Cultured Reef Forum
    My tank journal Amphibious' 135 mixed reef.
    The Cutured Reef toll free number - 888 745-0449




    Amblyeleotris randalli commonly, Randall's Goby.

  14. #14
    Crispy Reef Monkey **MOD** Phurst's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Richmond, Virginia
    Posts
    3,921
    Blog Entries
    3
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 39 Times in 33 Posts
    Good news/Bad news

    Looks like all the fish are accounted for except the 3 new ones. No sign of the flasher wrasse, orange spot or clown goby

    Also, the Kenya tree looks like it's not going to make it. I wasn't going to keep it anyway, but I'm sure someone would have taken it.
    **KEEP ME AWAY FROM SUPER GLUE ... i tend to glue my lips shut !!**

  15. #15
    SPS Reefer / TR Admin lReef lKeeper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Louisville, Ky
    Posts
    4,687
    Blog Entries
    6
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
    sorry i cant help you with the fish loses, but if you need anything else that i have ... do not hesitate to give me a call.
    lReef lKeeper (Bobby) Admin and Reefer

    Water ...
    Custom 4x2x1 60 gallon, 40B sump

    Equipment ...
    6x54w HO T5 fixture, 300+g rated Frankenskimmer, ATO, 3 Media Reactors (1 p04, 1 N03, 1 Carbon)

    www.lmas.org





    Show people you appreciate their advice! Click the star icon under their name to add to their reputation.



  16. #16
    Crispy Reef Monkey **MOD** Phurst's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Richmond, Virginia
    Posts
    3,921
    Blog Entries
    3
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 39 Times in 33 Posts
    I'm telling you, you need to be working on that tang digi
    **KEEP ME AWAY FROM SUPER GLUE ... i tend to glue my lips shut !!**

  17. #17
    SPS Reefer / TR Admin lReef lKeeper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Louisville, Ky
    Posts
    4,687
    Blog Entries
    6
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
    lol, i wish i could do that !! i would be rich and be able to spend every hour of every day with my tank !!
    lReef lKeeper (Bobby) Admin and Reefer

    Water ...
    Custom 4x2x1 60 gallon, 40B sump

    Equipment ...
    6x54w HO T5 fixture, 300+g rated Frankenskimmer, ATO, 3 Media Reactors (1 p04, 1 N03, 1 Carbon)

    www.lmas.org





    Show people you appreciate their advice! Click the star icon under their name to add to their reputation.



  18. #18
    Apprentice
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Miami Florida
    Posts
    143
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    I'm terribly sorry to hear about this, I hope your 3 missing fish are ok. I have to agree though that the people on this forum are terrific. This is by far the nicest and most helpful forum group I have come across, great bunch of folks on here.

  19. #19
    Curious Reefer kgchampagne's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    45
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    What a drag, but glad your house is standing.

  20. #20
    Crispy Reef Monkey **MOD** Phurst's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Richmond, Virginia
    Posts
    3,921
    Blog Entries
    3
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 39 Times in 33 Posts
    Yes, things could have been much, much worse. For the tank, and for my house, and family.

    Monza28, you're right, I love my TR family
    **KEEP ME AWAY FROM SUPER GLUE ... i tend to glue my lips shut !!**

  21. #21
    Our Brotha Down Unda
    V's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Terra Australis
    Posts
    6,773
    Blog Entries
    15
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 29 Times in 28 Posts
    phursty, OMG my friend - you just reminded me to laugh @ your expense!

    No thats bad, its unfortunate but tragic events can be lurking at every corner. & - It always seems to be the time you mentally sit back & say cool, everything autononiomus & looking great too!


    I had a polarity change on my ATO unit on the weekend, like that ever happens? But i sure feel better now that ive read your thread.

    I'll look after ya if you want to stock nothing but ozzie stock from now on! - at least that way if it happens again, you'll come home to find them hanging around the rim of the tank waiting to give you an ear bashing about the state of affairs of late whilst still trying to see if your carrying any beer!



    Vquilibrium Productions

  22. #22
    Crispy Reef Monkey **MOD** Phurst's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Richmond, Virginia
    Posts
    3,921
    Blog Entries
    3
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 39 Times in 33 Posts
    LOL, thanks for the smile V.
    **KEEP ME AWAY FROM SUPER GLUE ... i tend to glue my lips shut !!**

  23. #23
    Our Brotha Down Unda
    V's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Terra Australis
    Posts
    6,773
    Blog Entries
    15
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 29 Times in 28 Posts
    su casta ester casta amego!

    multi lingo'd now-a-days = discovery channel



    Vquilibrium Productions

  24. #24
    Insightful Reefer BrianPlankis's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    276
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Phurst,

    Sorry to hear about your disaster I hope your anemones make it!

    One question, just so I can learn from this (and maybe a few others that read this and your response). In the picture you show the cords and say they are "fused". Does that mean the ends of the plug are fused into the strip? OK, so two questions, why did they fuse, I'm assuming that the moment the water hit them that it should have tripped the GFCI circuit and stopped the flow of electricity?

    Brian
    www.projectdibs.com and www.talkingreef.com - Finding A Better Way Together

  25. #25
    Crispy Reef Monkey **MOD** Phurst's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Richmond, Virginia
    Posts
    3,921
    Blog Entries
    3
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 39 Times in 33 Posts
    Well Brian, you've exposed my dirty little secret. I didn't have a GFCI. You can bet your a$$ I do now though. When I think how much trouble could have been saved by a $15 outlet, it kills me. I installed it last night.

    I eventualy did pull one of the plugs out, and the metal prongs on the plug literally welded itself to the metal contacts in the cord.
    **KEEP ME AWAY FROM SUPER GLUE ... i tend to glue my lips shut !!**

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Disaster avoided
    By kgchampagne in forum General Marine Discussions
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 01-26-2008, 03:01 AM
  2. Post Weather Disaster Recovery - Open To Feedback
    By SpazNPedro in forum Marine Tank Problems
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 01-22-2008, 09:51 PM
  3. Rob's Disaster Relief Fund
    By Reefbaby in forum Site Info and News
    Replies: 69
    Last Post: 03-02-2007, 10:14 AM
  4. Rob's Disaster Relief Fund
    By Reefbaby in forum Marine Tank Problems
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 11-14-2006, 05:26 AM
  5. Almost a BIG disaster
    By CarmieJo in forum General Marine Discussions
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 09-20-2006, 10:14 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •