Well, I just got done burying most of my fish :(

[spaulr]

Len, sorry about your loss. I think I can say is there is nothing worse than coming home to see your fish and coral on their last legs.

On another note...

In the species that survived (fish and coral), what regions in the ocean are they from? All I can think is that those particular regions (where the fish and corals are from) may have periods of the year where water temperature may fluctuate more drastically in a typical day.

 

[sslarison]

Bummer.

 

[Len]

I don't think the angel is going to make it. It refuses to eat and is very skittish. The caudal/rear fin is also a little frayed today. I'm not sure what health issue it's battling :?

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry about this Len.

 

[trido]

I was really hoping you were through the worst. Feelin for you again Len. Never stopped really.

 

[Anonymous]

Was this one of those Won heaters? I'd avoid them like the plague from now on if so. :?

 

[Anonymous]

His controller failed and was not using the controller from a Won heater. I agree no cheap heaters controller should be trusted though.

 

[Anonymous]

Ah. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Anonymous]

Question though. What kind of heaters are you using? I have a Ranco controller for my temp and I also set the heater temp for 80. I am hoping if the Ranco ever sticks on at least the heaters thermostat would work as backup.

Yeah, I do something similar. My Aqualogic is set to 79 and my heaters are set to 81. Although the Aqualogic is supposed to be pretty solid, it's been giving me E2 problems so it won't hold any temperature settings. Therefore I'm getting a PA Lighthouse controller.

Len, how did the controller get splashed? My controller will be situated under the tank, but I'll be mounting it high on a side wall away from the sump.

Sorry to hear about your losses. I tell people that taking care of a reeftank is like taking care of a person who needs a lot of life support systems. If there's equipment failure, you can have some big problems. I guess the thing I've taken away from my flooding incidents is how to better improve my system against failure.

 

[cyro]

sorry to hear..

 

[Len]

I think I splashed the water on the controller while servicing the sump. It was a total goofball mistake.

I've made the following corrections based on comments in this thread:
1. added a redundant heater control in case the temp goes too high.
2. added an alarm to my controller that alerts me when temp is out of range.
3. installed a smaller heater (300W versus 500W).

 

[spaulr]

Len-

When you splashed water on the controller did the controller reset - giving the baseline temperature setting of 20 (F or C)? Or, did something on the controller short out causing it to fail to aquire correct temperature input readings causing the temp to climb to Arizona type climates? I'm just curious about the quality of those controllers. It seems to me that they should be made to take some abuse, not to mention be water safe since they are 1. Expensive, and 2. Made for a salt water aquarium.

 

[Len]

Nothing reset, so I'm guessing the water which seeped into the temperature probe jack shorted the monitor. The controller's baseline temperature is 20F if no probe is inserted, so it definitely lost contact with the temp probe. I've had this controller for close to 8 years with no problems. It appears a good deal of water got into it. It would be nice if they made all the connections water resistant. It'd probably add to the cost but I'd pay for it.

 

[Len]

I did a 55 gallon water change and everything looks much better. Purchased some crustaceans (2 cleaners and 2 scarlet to go with my 2 mithrax crabs and one remaining peppermints). The angel is finally eating and gaining weight .... it was looking like skin and bones for much of last week. Everything seems to have settled out and I think the worst of it is over. I'll start adding new fish next month.

 

[Anonymous]

Good news Len. Hope your troubles are over.

 

[Anonymous]

Thinking good thoughts for you Len.

 

[bleedingthought]

Good to hear.

 

[mgranato]

Besides family and home, can't imagine a worse shot to the gut. Glad to hear the angel is doing well.

 

[bleedingthought]

Len, how's the tank recovering? I still haven't seen it.

 

[Len]

Since the water change, everything is doing well again. The coralline started dying off for a while (not really complaining since there was too much of it on the glass), but I think it's back growing again. I still haven't repopulated anything yet though.