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Vacation Disaster: A very sad tale.

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by JB, Jul 23, 2013.

  1. JB Veteran Reefkeeper

    Marion
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0

    Last month, murphy's law hit me pretty hard. My wife and I were on vacation in Playa Del Carmen/Cozumel for a week for our anniversary. During that same week, there were several lighting storms in the Cedar Rapids area. Evidently, a lightning strike hit close enough to my house to take out 2 GFI circuits. They were of course the 2 main circuits that ran my main system.


    My in-laws, who were admittedly not trained enough to watch the tank, just assumed that I had "shut everything down" while I was on vacation. They didn't realize there was a problem until things started to smell, and by that time it was far too late. Needless to say, everything in my 125G display, my 40G frag tank (including a 8" hawkin's blue colony) and everything in my refugium died. The sole survivor was a 50 cent snail who is now living happily in my biocube. I figure I lost about $4K worth of fish and coral when it's all said and done.


    Needless to say, this sucked and sucked hard. There are a few silver linings however… 1) I finally got rid of all the aiptasia and purple mushrooms in my tank. 2) I've been wanting to start over for a while, but didn't know quite how to do it (problem solved) and 3) I've started to enjoy my biocube a lot more the past couple of weeks.


    It's amazing that this tank had been up and running for over 5 years with almost no issues. I had sometimes gone months and months without touching anything on the tank (other than feeding) and everything thrived. The one week I go on vacation, Murphy shows up...


    When I first found out that this happened, I decided that I was probably going to get out of the hobby all together as I had not been enjoying it for quite a while do to what I call "well established tank syndrome". However, after some time to reflect on things, I think this is an opportunity, albeit an expensive one, to regain some of the joy in the hobby that I had lost over time.


    So… I'm pretty sure that I'm going to setup a new/different system. Probably a 60 or 90G cube tank with a select set of corals. Probably mostly LPS with some select slow growing, colorful SPS and a different selection of fish.


    I need to get everything cleaned up first, but I'll be making a post in the B/S/T forum putting my old tank, stand, canopy, led lights and a few other pieces of equipment up for sale, so if you're in the market for a nearly complete 125 setup, keep an eye out for it.


    -JB
     
  2. IowaJeeping

    IowaJeeping

    224
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Sorry to hear about the loss. It's good to see you taking the positive out and not dwell on the negative.
     
  3. Roman Experienced Reefkeeper

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +321 / 3 / -0
    Sorry to hear about your setup. Let me know if I can help. I have some frags I could give you of some of the things I have gotten from you.
     
  4. daalbers

    daalbers Well-Known ReefKeeper

    562
    Ratings:
    +24 / 3 / -0
    That sucks JB
     
  5. wow... What a ride to be thrown on while you are thousands of miles away from home. I feel for you. It is great to hear that you are ready to start a new adventure. I am excited to see you get started!
     
  6. JB Veteran Reefkeeper

    Marion
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    I may take you up on that. There are a few corals that I used to have that I'd like to re-aquire. Namely the Hawkins Blue, Various Torts, Red Planet and maybe the ponape birdsnest.






     
  7. Rocketmann

    Rocketmann

    242
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    So sorry to hear from your loss.
     
  8. Lee

    Lee Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Hey JB - Glad to hear you changed your mind and plan to rebuild. I have a frag of one of the blue-torts you had that I got from you at either Fall Fest or Spring Fest. It's still pretty small and has been growing slowly but it recently started to grow out some branches and will hopefully start taking off soon. Let me know if you would like to get a piece of it back.
     
  9. RJ

    30
    Marion
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    I've got some green slimer and birds nest from you that I could frag off you if want.
     
  10. blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +738 / 5 / -0
    That sucks big time losing everything like that.
    Glad to see you didn't let that incident put an end to your reef keeping. I'm sure the new setup will be pretty sweet when you get it up and going.
     
  11. Fence13 Experienced Reefkeeper

    Des Moines
    Ratings:
    +300 / 1 / -0
    Sorry to hear about your loss. I recently just lost a fish, I can't imagine what it would be like to lose a whole set up. Glad you're sticking with it, and you should put that survivor snail in the new set up /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif
     
  12. Kpotter2 Expert Reefkeeper

    North liberty, IA
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/sad.gif, but /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif
     
  13. Sponge Expert Reefkeeper Vendor

    Marshalltown, IA
    Ratings:
    +233 / 1 / -0
    I won't repeat everything that the others have said JB. Karma I'd say was on your shoulder :0) A 90 cube would be AWESOME! The good thing about starting over is you have years of experience to call upon and the new tank will be the culmination of those years. It will be SOOO COOL, JB !!! Sounds like a lot of members have some of your previous corals that they are gladly willing to give you frags of ...GREAT! What an anniversary vacation, too! Let me know if I can help you in any way JB!!
     
  14. JB Veteran Reefkeeper

    Marion
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    Thanks everyone. I'm sure that I'll take everyone up on there offers to recover a few of my prized SPS corals. I'm going to do mostly LPS which will be a new thing for me. I will definitely do some things differently this time.

    1) There will be no softies in my tank with the possible exception of some particularly spectacular zoanthids (I would like to find some of my old dragon eyes if anyone has them). Absolutely no Xenia, Anthelia, GSP or mushrooms.

    2) I'm going to take the time to create an awesome rock sculpture as the center piece of my aqua-scaping.

    3) A bit less water volume and space to light will help save a bit of $$$ over the long haul.

    4) I've got a great idea in my head for a combination refugium/frag tank.

    5) Might try some new stuff this time like an algea scrubber and a remote DSB.
     
  15. JB Veteran Reefkeeper

    Marion
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    Oh, and Roman gave me a lead on an potentially awesome new tank.
     
  16. bobsfish

    bobsfish Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    wow that's quite a sad tale...but I'm glad it has a happy ending/beginning
     
  17. hart

    hart Well-Known ReefKeeper

    730
    Ratings:
    +131 / 0 / -0
    Been very happy with my vidarock centerpiece when I redid my 65. Something to look at.
     
  18. JB Veteran Reefkeeper

    Marion
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    Yeah, Vidarock makes some nice stuff. I remember seeing it at MACNA. I think I'm going to try and go the DIY route with a drill, acrylic rod and epoxy. I've got some pretty decent pieces of live rock to work with.
     
  19. Eric Experienced Reefkeeper

    West Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +33 / 0 / -0

    JB,


    Sorry to hear this happened to you but you sound like you've dealt with it and are now seeing the silver lining!


    Good luck with your new project.


    -Eric
     
  20. JB Veteran Reefkeeper

    Marion
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    Unlimited frozen drinks made it easier to drown my sorrows... /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif
     

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