Tank Emergency!

[menschems]

Put the powerhead for the sand in the fuge.
that is more important.

Done. Thanks.

The water seemed to be bubbling up from between the light brown framing (on the bottom and right side) and the glass. (See pic w/ arrows).

 

[menschems]

If I were you I would go out and buy her an early biorthday present. Go with a 110 gallon, you wont regret it and make sure this time it is not pressed or particle wood. These tend to decay over time especially when they get wet. Alot of places have tanks at cost this time of year since everyones away. Im sure the gang here can direct you to a great store thats reasonably priced. Dont for get to feed the fish in the meantime. Where are you in the NYC area?

I have a very good LFS here in SW Yonkers, but I am hesitant to buy a new tank for a few reasons. First of all, I want to talk to my wife and see what she wants to do. Second, money is very tight around here right now. Third, we are in an apartment and space is at somewhat of a premium. Fourth, the floor under the tank is wet and I may need to pull up the carpet before I put anything new there. There are no other places to put a tank. Fifth, as I mentioned above, our tank had a serious problem with aiptasia and bubble algae - starting over means a lot more than buying a new tank.

With the advice from all of you, I feel confident that I can keep our livestock alive until I talk to my wife. I still welcome any and all feedback and advice, though.

Thank you all for your help. You made a great first impression on me!

- Eric

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

What store you going to? Exotic pet's on Central ave?

 

[menschems]

What store you going to? Exotic pet's on Central ave?

Yes. Lou and his staff have been good to us in the past.

DO you have a different recommendation?

 

[bklynreef]

clean out the sump and dump the fish in there for the meantime along with the corals and leave a pump in there. A new tank is a must if you plan on staying with the hobby which im sure you will want too, and this is a blessing in diguise. Start cleaning up the floor and pulling up the carpet. Thats what could have unleveled the cabinet in the first place. I would put the new tank directly on the wood floor if possible or put a flat piece of wood to keep the carpet from not letting the tank level. Definitley go bigger and better, you wont regret it.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Well a 58 g tank is usually an oceanic tank if I am correct, petcom may stock them, try the mount vernon and yonkers stores, also go to Pet goods accross from babies are us on central ave and ask for paul (breezeP) he is a member here tell him you just joined and see if he can help you out. He's a good guy. Then go to Lou, Nice guy but a little expensive.

 

[Deanos]

Dont for get to feed the fish in the meantime.

Don't feed the fish! They probably won't eat much in their temporary home, meaning the food will likely foul the water. As long as they were healthy before hand, they'll last several days without food.

 

[DevIouS]

Definitely toss the sand.
When setting up the new system, start over with fresh sand.
I'm sure a local member will help out with a cup of sand to "seed" yours, so it can become "live" again.

Exotic Pets....

The live-stock there never looks healthy & he is wayyyy over priced.

Make a list of what you need & we can direct you to vendors or other LFS.

Good luck.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

i'm glad the members in this little community were of help.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

You can shoot to greenburg to Jawz2 or to take a little trip north there is a place in Peekskill I go to called the Zoo Pet center another in peekskill called beach aquarium, and another place in newburgh called fishtopia, All have good prices when paying by cash

 

[menschems]

Well a 58 g tank is usually an oceanic tank if I am correct, petcom may stock them, try the mount vernon and yonkers stores, also go to Pet goods accross from babies are us on central ave and ask for paul (breezeP) he is a member here tell him you just joined and see if he can help you out. He's a good guy. Then go to Lou, Nice guy but a little expensive.

Thanks for the tip. I will definitely go there.

It is hard for me to say what I will need, though. I would love to go bigger, but I am hesitant to do so in our apartment. On the other hand, It seems llike a waste to stay at this size or slightly bigger. It might be better to wait until we move in to a house (sometime in the next 3-5 years).

I will research different options and see what my wife wants to do.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Petland discounts runs some good deals sometimes too. I would get a Reef Ready (drilled) tank if you can, just safer in the long run. Hang on overflows can mess up and cause flooding!

 

[cali_reef]

I would clean up the tank, remove and reseal the corners with new silicone, put everything back in two days later. Thats just what I would do if I was in the same situation..

 

[deelucky]

if you need to sending anything out for babysitting let me know i got space in my dt for a couple of fish and corals and i can set up a ten gal.to hold some rock for you.

 

[menschems]

I spoke my local LFS but he cannot help us. If there was a warranty on the
tank, it was a 90-day warranty. As for taking the livestock, he said
he simply does not have space. He also is wary of taking anything
that might not sell. If it was not the summer, he would take it.
With the heat, though, he said he can't.

He did say that I could keep things alive in big garbage cans or
rubbermaid containers for a long time. That might be the short-term
solution, so that I can consolidate the rocks and animals into one
container (with lights, etc.) and so that I can get rid of the old
tank & stand. I really want to move them so that I can see what is
going on with the floor.

No one is going to want to buy our live rock or coral because of the
aiptasia and bubble algae. For now, I will get a huge container and set up something temporary. I will get rid of the sand and take care of the floor. I cannot afford a new tank setup right now, so I will have to do this for a while and then see what happens in a few weeks.

Thank you all again for your help.

- Eric

 

[deelucky]

if you want to get rid of your rock assuming that this would be a decision you and your wife makes i will be interested in some rock and some corals.thats not a problem and by no means am i trying to expliot your situtation.i will as soon help you out by baby sitting.but in they event that you need to get rid of somethings you can pm and ill help out as much as i can.

 

[menschems]

I just spoke to my wife. We are in agreement that we would like to get a new, reef-ready tank and start over. Unfortunately, we cannot afford to buy and outfit a new tank right now. I am going to set up a temporary tank until I can clean up the leak and get rid of the things that are trash (old tank, old stand, wet carpet, etc.). Then, when she gets back, we will figure out what to do next.

I have received a few offers to babysit some of my coral and fish. That would be great, but you have to be aware that anything I give you will be infested with aiptasia and bubble algae. If you are OK with that, please PM me and we can work something out. I am not sure how to transport these things, but I bet many of you could tell me.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

menschems- i would definately consider calireefs suggestion. you can resilicone the tank. that's only a couple tubes of silicone. while the silicone is drying you can rent a vaccum and dry the carpet.

 

[charile1]

You can set up the 20g with a couple of rocks and add your fish and corals to it. Then leave the rest of the rocks in the buckets with a powerhead. You should be fine until you get a new tank. See attached link for tanks and stands being sold at a dollar over cost.

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/general-discussion/15097-madness-wiping-hands.html

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

First off take any rock that doesn't have coral on it put it in another rubermaid bucket and calk the hell out of it to get rid of the aptasia, then take some joes juice and work on the rocks with coral in a seperat container. Once you are satisfied with the aptasia removal, work on the bubble algae. Emerald crabs sometimes chow down on bubble algae it's a chance you can take. People here will definately help you with what you need to do, Welcome to Manhattan reefs THE BEST (yes I said it) REEF SITE AROUND! Our members care about eachother and want to help you the right way the first time and no matter if you're here a minute or 10 years you're part of our family. Welcome to you brother, and your wife our newest sister!