Zoolander Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 After 6 months of neglecting my tank, it's gotten pretty bad and I don't know how to fix it. I was hoping somebody on here would be willing to come over to my place and tell me what I can do to rid my tank of all the bad stuff growing in it. I am sure I am doing a couple things wrong that could take care of most of the issues. I'd even be willing to throw down a couple bucks, I just want the tank back to what it used to be. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 problems...like what kinds? what about a decent sized water change? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 yea sure. here's my number. 541-505-4974. i have today free, so give me a call and i will come help you get it in order. i can help answer questions or whatever you need. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoolander Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share Posted March 9, 2009 Huge thanks to Curtis (downhill_biker) for his help. I have a totally different tank now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 FYI this is not the "Zoalander" that was associated with the "purple hornets joke". This one is real. We removed all rock, scrubbed it, cleaned all glass, powerheads, sand, ect. Added some flow, adjusted water parameters, reaquascaped for more flow, and got this tank set up for success. I hope that you can enjoy it again. Get the sand sifting star, have water tested. Add 1tsp kalk/gal of top off. stay on top of top off to maintain consistant salinity. keep algae in check. feed lightly, very lightly. make sure you come get more RODI water, for top off and water changes. When you are here I will give you some chaeto. Do you like your aquascape? Lets see some pics? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I didn't respond to this at first because I thought it was him. He is here at work with me now so I wasn't going to bite. It took until your post for me to notice the difference in spelling of name. Would like to see pic's please. Welcome to PNWMAS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoolander Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share Posted March 9, 2009 Do you like your aquascape? Lets see some pics? The water is still pretty cloudy but the aquascape looks pretty good. Unfortunately, the fish aren't. Might just be the consequence of having to fix the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 keep us posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I had originally posted a diffrent response...but quickly realized this zoolander might be for real Now we just need some pictures of this tank...come on...let's see! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 i think he has other problems right now. he called me and his fish are all dying. his clown and chromis aren't doing good. i told him to move everything live to the QT tank, and hope for the best. told him that ammonia probably spiked with cleanup, and he should test water tomorrow. but eventually i am sure we will get pix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoolander Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share Posted March 9, 2009 Thanks guys, I will as soon as the Crisis on Wingate St subsides, lol. And yes, I am real. People have even met me at the events. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoolander Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share Posted March 9, 2009 Went to Aqua Serene today to find out what happened to the tank and both guys I talked to were in agreeance that it was probably hydrogen sulfite released from the sand bed. Sounds like the tank is staying how it is for a couple of weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 sorry to hear. Just out of curiousity what do you have in the way of filtration and such? UV sterilizer, skimmer, what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 i haven't heard of a hydrogen sulfide release before. i guess i never have that problem because i have a lot of clean up crew that keeps the sandbed stirred. i am sorry that your tank had to be a learning experience for the both of us. has anyone else ever heard of this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidalsculpin Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Yeah, I had a hydrogen sulfide problem in my 40 breeder at school. I shut down the closed loop for a while and it stank badly when I turned it on again. I had low levels so nothing suffered, but in a deep undisturbed sand bed bad things can happen. Anaerobic activity is the culprit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 here's a link for more info. Randy Holmes-Farley is the man when it comes to reef chemistry, one of the best in the world. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-12/rhf/index.php there was a couple small patches of black sand when we were cleaning the tank, but they weren't too big. also, it says in the article that there would be a bad rotten egg smell, and i didn't notice much of one, just fish smell. according to the article there is a small amount of hydrogen sulfide in each fish naturally, and they can tolerate different amounts. apparently the clown had a low tolerance, sorry my friend. but use this as an opportunity to learn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoolander Posted March 10, 2009 Author Share Posted March 10, 2009 It's all good, it happens. Your help still made the tank better overall. The guy I talked to worked at OCA for over a year and said that anything over about 2" is prone to anaerobic things like hydrogen sulfite and that you don't want to do a deep clean on a bed like that. Surface yes, stirring the bottom, no. It's also where having something like a sand sifting star would prove beneficial (Which nobody had, BTW, so if you know of one for sale...). Almost everything has died in the tank but I am taking it as an oppurtunity for a fresh start and also something to help others who might make this same mistake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoolander Posted March 11, 2009 Author Share Posted March 11, 2009 Update: Came home to another dead Chromis. So far, I've lost all my poylps and mushrooms, a Perc, 3 Chromis' and about a dozen or so snails. The last remaining Chromis looks healthy so I'm hoping he will not give up on me. Other than that, the two hermit crabs left and the Watchmen Goby are doing well. Before I knew of my tanks impending doom I also bought this guy: as well as ten more hermit crabs. He was going to live in the sump but since there is nothing in the main tank I figured I would give him a vacation for a bit. Assuming nothing else dies I am going to pick up a few snails this weekend. I'm hoping nothing else dies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Could this be copper or something? Are you spraying cleaners around your tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoolander Posted March 11, 2009 Author Share Posted March 11, 2009 Everything I've been told and read points to hydrogen sulfite. The tank has been tested for everything else and it's all within acceptable parameters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 hmm.....This may have no benifit but there are these polyfiber filter pads that change color depending on what is in water. I am not saying that you have something in your water, but sometimes there could be stuff in there that aren't tested for.JMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 i would not worry about the poly pad. it is good to have on hand though. next time you are at the fish store grab one. they can be a life saver, removing almost any toxins. we already know what you have. from the article reading it seems whatever was going to die, has already done it. lets hope. do that next water change and you should be fine. just give it time and water changes to stabilize. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidalsculpin Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Give the hermits a week. See what they can do without the snail additions. I would be very cautious about adding new livestock for a while. Even snails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoolander Posted March 11, 2009 Author Share Posted March 11, 2009 I want to wait but I already have crap growing on the walls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 make sure you turn the air on for you powerhead. it will help prevent anaerobic death. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.