texreefer

[hobogato]

mike's tank crashed this morning and it was nearly a total loss. he is stuck at work, so i am trying to save what is left alive. i will be taking the corals that are left to my tank for the time being, and, after lots of carbon and a large wc, the fish that are still alive are starting to look better.

he is ready to leave the hobby. i cant say i blame him. he needs all of the support he can get from his friends and this club. i am willing to give him frags and pieces from my tank to help him restock asap, but it wont be enough.

please help me convince him to stay - whatever you can do to help him restock will be appreciated.

even with this support, i don't know if he will stay in the hobby, but i thought it was worth a shot.

[mdavis735]

wow thats really sad to hear.i have never met mike,but have heard alot of good things about him.i really hate to hear of a fellow reefer having problems.i wish him the best of luck and hope he takes his time in making his decision and does what truelly makes him happy.without making a rash decision and regretting it later.

[princer7]

What would he need in order to help restock? :)

[Gseclipse02]

ill drop some zoa's off with you ace for him


ill call you in a bit

here are some pics

http://maast.org/forums/showthread.php?t=48165

[LoneStar]

Oh no! Could it have anything to due with removing the substrate yesterday?

[Kristy]

Hey Mike (& Ace),

Sorry to hear about the crash. Kristy is out of town, but let me know if I can help with anything this weekend. I could maybe come up with some neon green candycane or mint green/aqua palys for Mike if he wants them. We also need to thin out our macro in the fuge if that would help at all.

Hopefully, this crash won't have Mike leaving the hobby. It seems this hobby certainly has it ups and downs (although it does seem like everyone has been having a lot of downs lately), and although Mike's tank is down now, it is sure to rise again.

Our thoughts are with you... shout if I can do anything.
-Mike

[Rychek]

I've got a few mushrooms and Zoas I can donate. Just let me know.

[brewercm]

I don't have anything as my tank right now is just water and some rock. He is certainly welcome to my help in any way. Does he have any idea as to what caused the crash?

[himegs]

I remember that bstreep had that Hiatt filtration system that he offered to make available on a "crash cart" basis for emergencies. Whe all that discussion was going on, they were saying that it was capable of really cleaning things up in a hurry, but that it was stripping too much of something out of the water for long-term use with SPS. Would that help him get things back under control?

My tanks are still pretty green, but I have one bunch of zoas that have taken off enough to frag. I'll be happy to donate.

[princer7]

I have some purple and red digi that I can donate. I should be heading to SA tomorrow.

[Texreefer]

Thanks for the offers guys but hold off for now... i'm going to try and get the rest of the livestock to Aces this evening and the tank will be torn down. right now i'm so bummed i can't even find the motivation to go take the rest of the stuff out. but the tank continues to crash as we speak and I have to get the rest out.. the fighting conch and the hundreds of snails dying are now the contributing factor.
My last clam is toast and the last of my chromis are dying. as soon as I have enough to make some more water i will make enough to transport the clowns to Aces before they die,, they will not survive the trip in tank water.. Thanks for all your help Ace.. I will be starting a for sale thread as soon as I sort things out

[LoneStar]

Well you could turn it into a sunlit work shop in your garage if anything else. Especially if you had a ac unit for it. My dad did the same thing and it worked out great during the summer~

[Texreefer]

well, lost about 25 fish, 3 clams, all sps and most lps, I have a few zoas that will go to Ace, I have a few fish still alive so once I have another day off, I will be tearing down and getting rid of the few that are left, since the reef will need to be torn out to catch them. I don't have the money to continue,, i am starting a thread for liverock that will only be liverock for another week.. I will update that thread as I start to sell things

[gjuarez]

Man sorry to hear about this.... Its happened to me before so i dont blame you for wanting to leave the hobby. Alot of time and effort are invested in our tanks but the knowledge we get to keep. I got out for a while because of the same thing, but as of two weeks i am back. Keep your head up, and hope the leave is only temporary

[BigKGlen]

Sorry to hear about your loss, Mike. Take a break, get drunk, then come back at it. I'll donate everything I've got from you to help you get up and running again!
You've been a great teacher, offered so much to the newbies, and been a great inspiration for reefers at every level. We can't let you quit.

Just take a break.

[ismvel]

My condolences on all of your losses Mike, I can only imagine how you are feeling as I went through some what of a crash and lost some items that i really really liked, but anything near an entire system crash. Keep your head up and good luck on whatever it is you decide to end up doing.

[Texreefer]

My fish were what this tank was becoming about as well as some very pricey corals.,. the devastation is pretty much complete, and although the guestures are greatly appreciated the amount of money(AND TIME) needed for me to to regain my glory is just too great. now onto my 4th double crown:thumbs_up:
R.I.P.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o258/itili/3101106789_84ea262ec41.jpg

[jroescher]

Any idea what started it?

[Texreefer]

Any idea what started it?
Yes, It was completely my fault.
I have been running without a Kalk or calcium reactor for a while since i sold my reactor and my kiddo knocked over and broke my kalk reactor. well, I order a new kalk reactor and it came in yesterday so I hooked it up and got it running. I had the day off so I was doing routine tank maintenance. I cleaned my skimmer so it was running very efficient, and also decided to take some of the crushed coral out of the display, So ... that evening and all night long, since I had stirred up all that detritus and put 20 gals of fresh water into the tank, the skimmer went crazy and skimmed wet and took about 8 gals of water out of the tank,, guess what went back into the tank?,, thats right folks! nice fresh kalkwasser from the new reactor i just hooked up... since my tank had gone without for a while,, my alk was low at about 2.6 Meq/l and it shot up to about 4.5 in a couple of hours.. the rest is history

[JimD]

Ouch.... Dude, you seem to be having a string of bad luck lately... Maybe its time to put things on hold for a bit, take a deep breath and re-evaluate the situation... I wouldnt sell anything yet cuz you and I both know youll regret it when you decide to get back into it. Right now, just try to save the remaining livestock, drink a few cold ones and look through all of your old threads and remember what your potential is. Your past accomplishments have been an inspiration to many people, relax...

[cpreefguy]

So sorry to hear Mike, that is terrible.

[DrMark]

I was away all day from computer. So sorry to read what happened.
You have had such a bad run and have been so persitant and committed.

[bdls]

Mike
If there is anyway I can help. Let me know.
Bobby D.

[captexas]

Mike - Sorry to hear about what happened with your tank. It's a real shame you have had such a run of bad luck with this tank. I know everyone will hate to see you get out of the hobby, you are a good person and a great asset to the club. Maybe a break will be good for you with everything that has happened over the past year. You have put up a good fight with it, shown much more patience than most would have. Take a break and come back when you are ready. As always, I know your friends here at MAAST will be there to help you get started again! I'm out of the hobby for awhile, but would be glad to help if I could. I do still have my RODI and two 32gal roll-around cans if you need them to make water for now.

[Jeff]

really sorry to hear about your tank mike, i can understand the fustration but for right now just empty out the tank and hold on to everything for a couple of weeks and then decide if you want to continue or not. once you look at all your rock and other stuff laying around your backyard you will start thinking of new things of how to run a new set up. don't do like i did and sell everything, because when the last thing goes out the door your stomach will sink and you will feel more miserable than before. if you heve to sell and take a break just keep the most expensive stuff so you don't have to buy it again whe you start back up.

[Jolly]

Ace, Lord knows, I have a lot of fish, if it would help I would donate a tang or two, they are all very healthy, Johne

[FireWater]

i just got back from delivering Mike's clownfish and some coral to Ace. Mike is bummed beyond belief - as you might imagine. Mike will be working the next 7 days straight so that will let him think about something else for a while. I talked with Mike and he is truely not sure what his next move will be after tearing down the rest of the tank. After all of his setbacks - one after another - I would not blame him for walking away for a while or for good. I feel he will start over and get beyond the 3 month mark and will be happy with the new super bionic tank. We all know what Ace went through with his tank - while at his house he told me how happy he was with the direction his tank is now going. I hope Mike will be the same with his.
What I propose is those that want to help can buy gift certificates to LFS to help Mike out when he decides what he is going to do. I volunteer myself to head it up - questions, concerns, or drop off can be PM'ed to me. Don't run out and buy any yet. Mike is going to get back in touch with me when he has made his decision. If he decides to make another go at it then I will follow through with this pledge to help him out. I know he said he was going back with all live rock if he comes back. That is why I planned for gift certificates as this is going to cost a bunch right off the bat. Mike has helped me more than he will ever know and in the process has become a very good friend- I am willing to do whatever it takes to get him through this whatever his decision may be.
Thank you Mike, John

[RayAllen]

Youve had the worst luck. I will be honest and say go on a hiatus for a while to calm your nerves and not have to emerse yourself in a aquarium or your wallet. This will really allow you to focus your time else where and regain the passion over time. Good luck

[SoLiD]

I think we all have some live rock that we can donate to Mike. I know I have some really nicely structured mature pieces that I'd be willing to donate. I'd save the gift certificates for the live stock. I'm down to donate a gift certificate to a LFS also.

Mike & Ace, we love you guys. It hurts to hear these kinds of things happening to our friends. I wish the best for y'all. http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/sad/sad0126.gif

-David

[Mr Cob]

Mike, sorry to hear about this!

I can donate live rock, frags and a gift certificate when the time comes.

Keep your chin up Mike and thanks for all you have done for me...your expertise has been priceless and I will do anything I can to help you.

-Rob

[Kristy]

Well........
As I understand it (and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong with my MAAST history here) Mike is the one who first started MAAST. Isn't Texreefer the original MAASTard? And so, that would mean we pretty much all own him a debt of gratitude to one degree or another.

I cannot imagine how many more mistakes, wasted money, etc. we would have incurred early on in this hobby without all we learned from this site. So, say the word when you're ready to try again, and we'll definitely step up with an offering.

[Bill S]

Wow. Was out of town all weekend...

Mike, I know EXACTLY where you are coming from. My tank is still a shell of what it was. All has settled down, but...

The Hiatt is running on my tank right now, as I have no live rock. HOWEVER, if y'all had CALLED ME, it would have been easy to disconnect for the crash. Just joining the 2 pieces of hose together. But NOOO.

All I can say is that I'm getting interested in putting mine back together again. I need to soak the rock that's been on the deck for 3 weeks. And decide what, if any, of the SPS I have is actually still alive.

Mike, as always, let me know what you need...

[donduncan]

That really sucks. Good luck with the rebuild

[greenmako]

Man sorry to hear this, if you need anything let me know

[FireWater]

I promised to keep everyone updated - Not to go into a long detailed plan, but I believe Mike is going to stick in there and come back. The short plan is a complete tear down of the tank with the fuge staying online. After that he will need some help with getting going again. Once I find out more I will post for help. Thank you to everyone that has shown supoort and interest on Mike's behalf. It is easy to remember why this is a great group of people. Thank You, John

[DrMark]

.........thats some good news
m

[apedroza]

Hang in there Mike. You tanks have been an inspiration, it would be sad to see you leave.

[ErikH]

Good luck buddy. Sorry about your woes!

[MKCindy]

Been out of the loop lately, sorry to hear about this set back, Mike. If I have it, you are welcome to it. My tank is always open.

[Texreefer]

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone! After several conversations with friends on here, I have decided to try and rebuild. However,It will only be by the good graces of those here! I am truely beat this time and the list of things I will need is long. I am not good at asking for this kind of help so I will not.
The interior of the tank will have to be torn out and started fresh. since this is such a big job, that will be my only goal for now,, this may take two weeks or more.
again, thanks for your support

[SoLiD]

I know that it's not often that good and honest people ask for help; that's why I and Many Others Volunteered. You can't let us Off The Hook that easily :wink_smile:. I already purchased a gift card to Aquarium Designs for you. It's a Gift... so You Can't Refuse It! The main reason I am posting this is because I feel that we as a group of friends should pull together and help out someone who has inspired so much of us here on MAAST.

P.S. You don't owe me a thing, just hang in there buddy. :)

-David in Corpus Christi

[Pennies2Cents]

Mike,

Glad to hear that your sticking with the hobby.. Im sorry about your loss. However if you need anything we are here to help..

Thanks for all you have done.

[jrsatx20]

if u need some cans of foam i can get a few for u let me know how i can help. sorry for ur loss.

[Texreefer]

It would be too difficult to redo the foam at this stage,, Thats why I am going to have to get some liverock,, thanks for the offer

[BioCube14]

It would be a shame to loose a cool guy like you in this hobby I remember when you hooked me up with some cheap frags to get me started

[Mr Cob]

Mike,

Could you possibly post or send your PayPal account ID for those interested in helping you out?

It would be easier for me and probably others to just send you a cash gift via paypal, so we don't have to worry about trying to get it to you and you don't have to mess with arranging to meet everyone.

P.S. I appreciate you being so humble...but the fact is; you have helped me and many others with inspiration, expertise and generosity far beyond a few frags and some live rock.

-Rob

[hobogato]

i will take the humility out of this. if you want to send a small amount to me via paypal, i will pool everything sent and buy a gift certificate to B&B.

if you are interested, send me a pm for the paypal adress. i will pull everything out on January 20th to buy the GC.

i will give him the GC along with a list of everyone who donated and how much on or around the 23rd (since it takes 3 or 4 days to withdraw from paypal)


Mike,

Could you possibly post or send your PayPal account ID for those interested in helping you out?

It would be easier for me and probably others to just send you a cash gift via paypal, so we don't have to worry about trying to get it to you and you don't have to mess with arranging to meet everyone.

P.S. I appreciate you being so humble...but the fact is; you have helped me and many others with inspiration, expertise and generosity far beyond a few frags and some live rock.

-Rob

[Mr Cob]

Good idea Ace.

Thanks.

[clone]

hey ace since i dont have a pay-pal,could i just buy him one and you give it to him at the same time :)

[hobogato]

sure, or you could leave the money with jeremy - just tell him what it is for.

as far as that goes - i just checked with jeremy and anyone can drop off money with jeremy at B&B and we will pool everything together for one big GC.


hey ace since i dont have a pay-pal,could i just buy him one and you give it to him at the same time :)

[JimD]

umm, golly, my tank crashed too! can you send some funds my way?

[hobogato]

sorry to hear that jim, i am sure that like mike, all the people who you have helped out over the years would be glad to help you if you are in need. lmk what i can help ya with.

[JimD]

I could really use a few sacrificial acros just to test the waters. Id hate to go out anf buy an expensive piece just to have it die because of something in the chemistry. Appreciate the offer! When I went bare bottom I didnt cook the rock, huge mistake! Its been leeching crud for about a year now and it looks like it might be getting better so Im thinking about giving it another try.

[Texreefer]

As Indicated by Jims response.. I really wish you wouldn't do this,I love that you guys want to help. I don't want anyone with hard feelings because it looks like i'm getting preferential treatment. even with this help, this tank will only be a shell of its former self for quite some time. I will always be around, just don't want there to be hard feelings for something out of my control

umm, golly, my tank crashed too! can you send some funds my way?

[hobogato]

i have four colonies that ironically i got from mike a while before his crash that are big enough to frag. next time you are headed this way, you are welcome to pieces.

mike - there are no hard feelings. we know you didnt and would never ask for any of this.

[JimD]

No hard feelings here Mike, I took the opportunity to solicit cuz Im not about to spend a bundle only to have issues on down the road. As a community, we should stick together and help each other out.

[DrMark]

you have nothing to be concerned with, Mike. People are going to do what they are going to do......you have been around a long time and helped a lot of people.

[FireWater]

I agree. It was my idea to begin with. I know Mike went through a huge disappointment and I know he has always been more than there for me. I just wanted to help out a friend. Also, it is was meant to be strictly voluntary.

[gjuarez]

Like Jim said, we are a big community that helps each other out. My friends here in the RGV have helped me out tremendously, and a lot of guys from san antonio too. Mike, no one wants you to leave the hobby, and the fact that everyone is offering to help in any way is proof of that. I left the hobby for a while, but I am back! I really needed to come back, having a tank relaxes me.