Got the "Water is coming out your front door" call

[Jynxgirl]

So... more problems.

My 180 sprung a leak. What a day its been. I have everything in quite a few containers. I got a 100 gallon tank loaner for today... and its got a mess of sand in it now. All my stuff is spread out in a 40 gallon breeder, my brothers sump he had gotten last month that is about 55 gallons but its holding about 30 gallons and a cooler with about 20 gallons.. all the other water.... ON THE FLOOR, in the walls... and some of it made it out the front door on its own...

We have it pretty empty where we can see... no cracks on the bottom but I think its coming from a corner that looks like its kind of seperating???

Is this something to fix or???

I am ready to throw in the towel. I feel like I have had nothing but problems with this upgrade tank. :( Its an oceanic that I picked up from a guy in Austin who had it three years. I had the damsel problem that killed two new tangs I added, then I had the remove the damsel incident and the powder blue had a heartattack incident, then the electricution of my fishtank a few weeks ago, and the death there after of over 25 fish over a week or so time period, then a new problem where I can't get shrimp to live in the tank, and now this.... I dont know what is fried for my electrical equipment. I have my halides on the floor and not sitting on wood like I used to. I kept meaning to get them up off the floor but just havent done it. So.. we will see.

This is my sad story for the day :( Thanks to J.G and Garrett who were so kind. I was suppose to be picking up frags and going to see their tank and they really did reach out and offer help. I appreciate that alot!

What do you think I should do? Reseal, buy a new one, try to find a used one....

[Texreefer]

Sorry to hear about your problem. this is a hard route to go, BUT if i was in this same situation. i would sell off all livestock, take and inventory of what you have that is usable. plan a new upgrade and save for a NEW tank..not a used one and start from scratch with a fresh outlook and pretend this never happened

[demodiki]

Not a bad idea. That's probably what I would do but I am a "throw the baby out with the bathwater kinda guy". Good luck.

[DaBird47]

wow! man, sorry for your troubles...I think if I could afford a new tank, that's the way I'd go, especially after all your problems...Take a deep breath, step back and ask yourself, do I really want to live without a reef? I had a crash this month, not as bad as you but bad enough and I had the "I'm going to quit!" attitude for awhile, but then, after a lot of work the tank is coming back and I'm really glad that I stayed....so I say, Hang in there, there's lots of people on MAAST out there that will give you a hand or help out in any way they can...Good Luck..Danny

[Jynxgirl]

How much am I looking at for a new 180 gallon? and then, if I am going to get a new tank, I saw a 210 that has the same foot print as my 180 but was just a bit taller that looked very nice, so... I would probably go to that. How much do reef ready tanks this size cost? To use my existing stand that has the wholes drilled in the corners for the pipes to pass through, will I have to do a special order?

If I could put six tangs in a 40 gallon, I would so be going to a small tank... but my heart is set on seeing these beautiful fish swim around.

[5.0Stang]

210 if you have to get a stand 240 8)

[#1Stunna]

deleted.

edited by hobogato. previous nicname removed. please do not use that nic anywhere anymore.

[caferacermike]

Wow, guy, you've really made an introduction for yourself around here. Already having to change your online nic, beautiful sig, and to call someone that sold a perfectly sound Oceanic tank an A-Hole. Just wait til you and that A-Hole meet someday....

JynxGirl I would give Aquatech in Austin a call about your tank. There is a good chance Bruce can help you get it repaired by Oceanic cheaper than a new tank would cost. If the date tag is still in the bottom of the tank, I think they have a 5 year or so warranty period. If not, just write to Oceanic and promise to tell every online soul you ever meet that Oceanic has horrible customer service and that they should only buy AGE tanks from Dallas. Speaking of, that was my second option. Working through Kingfish you might be able to get that guy to tear the panels apart and completely reseal the tank for you. He builds beautiful tanks so I'm sure he can repair one. I'd start calling the shops and find out how much a reseal will cost, it will be cheaper then a new tank.

Now Stunna listen up, tank moving can be stressful on a large tank. You quickly remove the water that has been putting pressure on everything for a few years in a matter of minutes. Then lift the tank, load it in a truck, move it, lift it and set it back up on a new surface. All it would take is the slightest tweak to pull those panels and weaken the seam. Sounds like an unfortunate event that was out of everyone's control. Oceanic tanks are known to last decades and have that reputation.

As others have said, now is the perfect time to figure out where you were in the hobby. I would think about selling the livestock now. Cook the rocks to clean them. Buy a larger skimmer. Get a huge sump built. Decide if you really need a heater (I don't run them). And just slowly rebuild into the tank you wanted it to really be anyways. Don't rush, maybe plan for 6 or 7 months. The rewards are tremendous doing that. I bought my 75g and it sat empty, well it had 4x 40lb bags of aragonite in it, for 5 months before I even put water to it. I had a plan for what I wanted in the end and then slowly acquired the best equipment I could afford at each step. In fact I'm doing that right now with the 400g tank I bought. I rented a storage unit and have been packing it full of equipment. One new piece a week. I don't have any plans to put water in it until Nov.

[LoneStar]

As others have said, now is the perfect time to figure out where you were in the hobby. I would think about selling the livestock now. Cook the rocks to clean them. Buy a larger skimmer. Get a huge sump built. Decide if you really need a heater (I don't run them). And just slowly rebuild into the tank you wanted it to really be anyways. Don't rush, maybe plan for 6 or 7 months. The rewards are tremendous doing that. I bought my 75g and it sat empty, well it had 4x 40lb bags of aragonite in it, for 5 months before I even put water to it. I had a plan for what I wanted in the end and then slowly acquired the best equipment I could afford at each step. In fact I'm doing that right now with the 400g tank I bought. I rented a storage unit and have been packing it full of equipment. One new piece a week. I don't have any plans to put water in it until Nov.


I totally agree with Mike. Look into getting the tank repaired if possible. Sounds like its just the seals and not any of the glass that broke. I'd also cook the rock and plan out a really nice, really well built system. The problem with those is you gotta wait a good while for funding because were all not rich :). Thats what I've been doing since November, with water being added in Julyish (I hope!).

[Bill S]

Ditto the above. Oceanic makes a good tank - see if' they'll step up. Their warranty applies only if it's on one of their stands, as I understand it. Unless the glass BROKE, I'd look into having it rebuilt.

[Jynxgirl]

Its on their stand. No glass broke. I think the seam in the front left corner has seperated just a little. The tank has been up and running since January. So, its not like its been up for a few days and did this. Things happen... I am very used to things happening at this point.

I have a PM skimmer, I have tunzes, I have VHO's, 3 metal halide pendants, a canopy that I had Ace built that my pendants sit in perfectly and other stuff that I have been buying over time. I have pretty much what I want at this point, except a larger sump. I am at the point where I have most of the bells and whistles that I would/do want. I dont really want anything else. I just want to watch what I have grow up and become little big colonies and my fish to swim around and entertain me.

I will call people in austin about resealing it today. My brother resealed his 180 and its been up for two years since. His went through a move and still is fine. I just have really bad luck. Its not just in fish tanks. Its in everything in my life. :P I just have learned that crap happens and to keep smiling. At least I have an ideal what to do next time and how to be more prepared if something this major happens.

I don't think its very honest to call and tell Oceanic that if they don't do something that I am going to spread all sorts of stuff to force them to do something. They have a policy. I went and read it. I do not apply. I will call them as well to see if they have someone they recommend to fix the tank. For the most part, I think Oceanic makes pretty good tanks and this was just one of those flukes that happen.

[jroescher]

Whether you repair or replace the tank, I think you should take a real good look at your stand for level, flat, etc... then invite someone over to look also. If there is a problem with the stand, it will happen again.

If it's on an Oceanic stand, then why doesn't it apply to you?

[Jynxgirl]

Because I was not the original purchaser.. :( It says you have to be the original purchaser and have the receipt. I am going to call them on Monday. They are closed today.

[#1Stunna]

Wow, guy, you've really made an introduction for yourself around here. Already having to change your online nic, beautiful sig, and to call someone that sold a perfectly sound Oceanic tank an A-Hole. Just wait til you and that A-Hole meet someday....


Dood thats my bad. I wont drunk post on here anymore. I didnt mean to offend anyone, and I speak only in sarcastic tones. again, apologies and I was just looking to give her a scape goat for her problems, not accuse someone of doing her wrong.

[caferacermike]

Because I was not the original purchaser.. :( It says you have to be the original purchaser and have the receipt. I am going to call them on Monday. They are closed today.

Call Bruce before contacting Oceanic. He is crafty in helping people get their tanks repaired. It could be in your best interest.

[DaBird47]

Mike wrote:" Decide if you really need a heater (I don't run them). "

Mike, can you please explain your thinking on this, I'm soooo puzzled, temp control is #2 on my most important list !

[caferacermike]

What is there for ME to explain? My tank never falls below 76F. Never. I keep my house warm in the winter, cool in the summer. If your situation is different that may be so. That is why, as you quoted me, I asked to DECIDE in reference to the particular situation as all situations are unique. If it is a redundant or unnecessary piece of equipment then why keep it in the tank IF it has the possibility for failure? Another option is to get the plastic coated stealth heaters that virtually never crack.

Temp control is important to me as well, it's just not a problem for me.

[DaBird47]

I use the Plastic Stealth heater and so far so good...The only reason that I brought it up was it seemed that you post a lot and some people might take your word and not do proper study, IMHO a heater is NOT optional, Temp control is not something to play with or take for granted. Sorry Mike but irresponsible comments need to be checked...no offense intended...

[caferacermike]

I see you digging, not only in this thread but in another. I'm not going to publicly argue with you as your point is moot. You even say so by implying an IMHO. Just as you put it, it is only your opinion, you have one as well as I do, and that does not make either opinion a fact for every situation.

End of story. It is up to each responsible reefkeeper to make the most sound judgement call for their own individual tank. End of point.

[LoneStar]

I've never needed a heater either. Too many things to make my water temp warm. Why would I need one? The only thing I like having is a chiller. Even in the middle of winter with the house freezing I've never needed one. BUT I do check the temp every day and review the highs and lows the controller records....

[txstateunivreefer]

sorry to hear about your tank hopefully oceanic will be nice and give you a hand

aheghm (unhijacking thread) aheghm

[DaBird47]

hope you're having better luck today...keep up the positive thoughts...

[SoLiD]

Both Mike and Bird have valid opinions. But Like Mike mentioned, planning is the key. I can't remember how many times I've told myself, "I wish I thought of that earlier". If you plan on buying anything new just ask as many questions as possible and explore all your options. An informed decision is usually the best one. I have more than a couple of $100+ items lying around due to lack of planning. Considering how expensive marine aquarium equipment is, it stinks to have to buy the same type of hardware twice (i.e. skimmers, lights, pumps).

And Jynxie if you want to keep your fish, see if someone you trust will hold them in there tank for you. Maybe you brother could help you out. Then you could trap'em and put'em back in your new set up. It's a gamble though.

Good luck in your ventures on getting your system back up. Peace Out. - SoLiD