Disaster Has Struck Our Household!

[yveterinarian]

Last night my husband called me to say me Reef tank had overflowed all over the Living room hardwood floor and into the basement. He got that sorted out and made emergency water to replace what was lost. Then this morning he went downstairs to look at his 220 gallon tank and found it leaking all over the floor from the bottom of the tank somewhere!
We did an emergency evacuation of the fish and drained the tank. Luckily I happened to have an empty 75 gallon tank sitting in the basement. Now that the water is all out and we can look at the tank better, we have discovered the fitting for the drain was loose and it all leaked out there as the drain was in the bottom of the tank. This tank has been running without issue since we set it up a few years ago. A word to everyone - always check that your fittings remain tight. They can loosen without notice and you end up with a big mess! It is a dual overflow with one in each back corner of the tank.
Coupled with the split seam on my Hexagon tank in the Fall, we are not having much luck with our tanks. I am extremely close to calling it all quits! I have some serious thinking to do over the next little while. This just may be Fate's way of telling me I can't afford this hobby any more. The hydro bills are astronomical and things are just getting worse...very discouraged.

 

[Canadianeh]

I am sooo sorry to hear that. I hope you will not quit. How about downsizing maybe? I am sure the bigger the tank the bigger the cost. I wonder if there is any insurance that you can buy for this kind of incident.

 

[Kman]

I feel for you as I have had overflow issues. Stick through it and don't give up.

 

[nathan]

Sorry to here about your incident. I think we all go through that feeling from time to time.... I think you should reconsider . I think we all would hate to lose a valued member of tft and to the hobby. Good luck with your decision though....

 

[EricTMah]

So sorry to hear that.
Hopefully everything is an easy fix and you can get up and running again soon

Sony Xperia Z3

 

[Hong]

Sorry to hear. Posting it benefits everyone who surfs this board.
Downsizing has it's benefits, plus you still keep your feet (hands) wet.

 

[Bece13]

I've been there and I know it's not fun at all. Just don't rush in taking a quick decision. Give it a few days and think how you can prevent it in the future.

 

[heath]

like everyone else, so sorry to hear.. we all go through issues and make us rethink what we are doing...its a tough one...

 

[SamB]

Terrible news Yvette
I am sorry to hear this
Last year, one of my tanks seams split at the bottom and I did take it as a sign that maybe I wasn't cut out for this hobby
Beautiful but full of challenges
Best wishes

 

[chrisstevens]

Sorry to hear
I add a bit of silicone around the bulk head nut just as a precaution.

 

[Janice]

OMG. I have been planning to get a bigger tank over my husband's objections-as he is worried about an overflow like this, and that our hardwood and rugs would be destroyed-not to mention our basement down below. This has really scared me. For those others of you who have had an overflow-what caused it?

 

[TORX]

Horrible news. Stay strong, we all go through things like this at some point. You have done some great things in the hobby, I hope you stick with it.

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[sunnykita]

Oh Yvette, I am so sorry to hear this, I hope that you don't have too much damage to deal with besides the tanks. All I can say is take a deep breath and wait a while before making any decisions you may regret later. If I can help in any way, give me a holler
Sherry

 

[Joshbrookkate]

Sorry to hear this! I hope things come together soon.

 

[OrcaSB]

That is indeed a stretch of bad luck but don't give in. At this rate you've had so many leaky tank issues what are the chances you will have more? Lol
Seriously though, if you know your not going to need to move or dismantle your tank anytime soon I would just silicone the bulkheads. Ive done this before to ensure they won't ever shift and leak.


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[yveterinarian]

Thank you everyone for your kind words. They are greatly appreciated.

I am definitely taking the time to think things through but I can honestly say I have been thinking about it for quite a while now - if not getting out completely, at least downsizing. This was just the icing on the cake, so to speak. I have kept fish now for over 30 years and I can't completely see myself without them, LOL. The hydro bills though are killing me at over $600.00 per month! I know a lot of that is due to my numerous tanks so I would like to eventually downsize to one and have it in my basement. What size the one will be that I eventually keep out of my many tanks, I am not sure. I love my hobbies but have to be realistic as well.

Raising seahorses was a very expensive venture because I was too successful. I honestly didn't think I would raise so many successfully because everyone told me how hard it was and not to be discouraged if I could only raise 10 - 15 out of a 500 fry batch! 120 successful fry was a great shock to me along with that wonderful feeling of accomplishment. However, they ate so much food I am still trying to pay back the cost. Unless we get some serious breaks on Hydro, I just don't know what else I can do. I do know that I have decided not to raise any more seahorses. Once the ones I have kept for myself die, I will not be replacing them so that will be one complete system that I won't be continuing. I am hoping they survive many years yet though!

Currently, the fish and rock from my husband's 220 gallon are back in the original 75 gallon tank that he first purchased (from Brandon) and they will be staying there as far as I am concerned. Our saving grace is that there were only a few fish and no coral in the system so I don't think they will be overloaded in the 75. Now we have to set up a proper filtration system for them this weekend but we have the supplies to do so. Once we determine that the 220 isn't leaking anywhere other than the overflow pipe, I think he has decided to sell it and the monster skimmer we have for it. Over time, I think we will consolidate our two reef-type tanks into one but I have to research compatibility of our fish.

One recommendation I have for people thinking of upgrading is to seriously look at tanks that are not drilled on the bottom. At least if a tank is drilled at the top for the overflow and it leaks, it stops leaking once the level goes down enough. When it is drilled on the bottom, there is no stop until it is empty. Just my $0.02 worth.

 

[nathan]

Thank you everyone for your kind words. They are greatly appreciated.

I am definitely taking the time to think things through but I can honestly say I have been thinking about it for quite a while now - if not getting out completely, at least downsizing. This was just the icing on the cake, so to speak. I have kept fish now for over 30 years and I can't completely see myself without them, LOL. The hydro bills though are killing me at over $600.00 per month! I know a lot of that is due to my numerous tanks so I would like to eventually downsize to one and have it in my basement. What size the one will be that I eventually keep out of my many tanks, I am not sure. I love my hobbies but have to be realistic as well.

Raising seahorses was a very expensive venture because I was too successful. I honestly didn't think I would raise so many successfully because everyone told me how hard it was and not to be discouraged if I could only raise 10 - 15 out of a 500 fry batch! 120 successful fry was a great shock to me along with that wonderful feeling of accomplishment. However, they ate so much food I am still trying to pay back the cost. Unless we get some serious breaks on Hydro, I just don't know what else I can do. I do know that I have decided not to raise any more seahorses. Once the ones I have kept for myself die, I will not be replacing them so that will be one complete system that I won't be continuing. I am hoping they survive many years yet though!

Currently, the fish and rock from my husband's 220 gallon are back in the original 75 gallon tank that he first purchased (from Brandon) and they will be staying there as far as I am concerned. Our saving grace is that there were only a few fish and no coral in the system so I don't think they will be overloaded in the 75. Now we have to set up a proper filtration system for them this weekend but we have the supplies to do so. Once we determine that the 220 isn't leaking anywhere other than the overflow pipe, I think he has decided to sell it and the monster skimmer we have for it. Over time, I think we will consolidate our two reef-type tanks into one but I have to research compatibility of our fish.

One recommendation I have for people thinking of upgrading is to seriously look at tanks that are not drilled on the bottom. At least if a tank is drilled at the top for the overflow and it leaks, it stops leaking once the level goes down enough. When it is drilled on the bottom, there is no stop until it is empty. Just my $0.02 worth.

What ever you decide we wish you the best of luck

 

[ColbytheClown]

I was thinking about getting a bigger tank, this has made me nervous...

 

[AdInfinitum]

Thank you everyone for your kind words. They are greatly appreciated.

I am definitely taking the time to think things through but I can honestly say I have been thinking about it for quite a while now - if not getting out completely, at least downsizing. This was just the icing on the cake, so to speak. I have kept fish now for over 30 years and I can't completely see myself without them, LOL. The hydro bills though are killing me at over $600.00 per month! I know a lot of that is due to my numerous tanks so I would like to eventually downsize to one and have it in my basement. What size the one will be that I eventually keep out of my many tanks, I am not sure. I love my hobbies but have to be realistic as well.

Raising seahorses was a very expensive venture because I was too successful. I honestly didn't think I would raise so many successfully because everyone told me how hard it was and not to be discouraged if I could only raise 10 - 15 out of a 500 fry batch! 120 successful fry was a great shock to me along with that wonderful feeling of accomplishment. However, they ate so much food I am still trying to pay back the cost. Unless we get some serious breaks on Hydro, I just don't know what else I can do. I do know that I have decided not to raise any more seahorses. Once the ones I have kept for myself die, I will not be replacing them so that will be one complete system that I won't be continuing. I am hoping they survive many years yet though!

Currently, the fish and rock from my husband's 220 gallon are back in the original 75 gallon tank that he first purchased (from Brandon) and they will be staying there as far as I am concerned. Our saving grace is that there were only a few fish and no coral in the system so I don't think they will be overloaded in the 75. Now we have to set up a proper filtration system for them this weekend but we have the supplies to do so. Once we determine that the 220 isn't leaking anywhere other than the overflow pipe, I think he has decided to sell it and the monster skimmer we have for it. Over time, I think we will consolidate our two reef-type tanks into one but I have to research compatibility of our fish.

One recommendation I have for people thinking of upgrading is to seriously look at tanks that are not drilled on the bottom. At least if a tank is drilled at the top for the overflow and it leaks, it stops leaking once the level goes down enough. When it is drilled on the bottom, there is no stop until it is empty. Just my $0.02 worth.

Curious...is the tank bottom drilled but the bulkheads are not enclosed in sealed overflow towers? If a bulkhead leaks or breaks the most you should be able to lose is the water in the overflow box and the volume in the return section of your sump if the overflows towers are properly sealed.

 

[scubasteve]

Such a shame that tank was massive in person and looked great. Trying to raise sea horses is not cheap that's for sure.