Let's list all the things that can go wrong to your tank .

[aquasport24]

I found this thread on RC and i think it would be a good idea to have it here on MAAST to. Let's list all the things that can go wrong to your reef tank and some solutions to stop them.

I'll go first..

- Floss out those anti-siphon holes on the return lines so it won't cause any flood when you have power outrage.

- some kind of power backup just incase your tank loose power.

- i just have enough ATO water in my reservoir that won't mess my my salinity, just incase my skimmer go crazy and cause overflow.

I'll add some more later........now your turn...

[txg8gxp]

Two things I have learned the hard way, is always dip your coral (a good dip) and don't dose anything if your not testing for it.

[Reefer4ever]

Right on!

When you start out, do not get the cheapest stuff and then upgrade. Get a few of the big ticket items and then add some more expensive equipment so you do not waste money on useless junk you will never use again. Definitely get a skimmer and lighting that is good.

[jrsatx20]

dont add to many fish at one time

[Gseclipse02]

dont add to many fish at one time

esp. tangs one out of the 9 you buy will be sick lol

[RayAllen]

All the things that can go wrong hmmmm.....

Tank can leak
Tank can shatter
Tank can become contaminated with a outside chemical
Ick and countless other diseases
Fish Die
Rockslide
Your leather poisons everything in the tank
Power outage
Electical shortage electricutes you and your fish
Fish eats another fish or fish bullies
Extreme temp changes
Extreme PH changes
Scratches on the glass
stupid huge center braces
bad critters/pest- hairy crabs, bristle worms, flat worms etc......
bad sand pollutes the tank
Ammonia Spike
tank or sump overflow
overflow clogged
overflow to loud or gurgles
ATO doesnt work properly which introduces way to much freshwater in your aquarium
power outages
Your fish bites you
your toxic fish stings you
Zoa toxins in your eye or mouth


THAT IS JUST A FRACTION OF WHAT CAN GO WRONG

[RayAllen]

Id like to add this.

It seems as though some think if you buy the newest and greatest your tank will somehow be in tiptop conditions. Not true. Ive seen some amazing reefs with medium grade minimal equipment outshine a aquarium with the newest and greatest equipment.

What it comes down to is care, maintaining and knowledge.

[FireWater]

I removed all unnecessary and inflammatory posts. Perceived personal attacks will not be tolerated.

[TexasTodd]

Water spills and things die....in MANY WAYS!

You want back ups / duplicates for just about every "Thing" doing something in your system.

I prefer drip type auto top offs. Slow changes if it does get messed up and and there is no float valve to fail, get crusted up, etc.

[DarkHorseMBA]

- Floss out those anti-siphon holes on the return lines so it won't cause any flood when you have power outrage.


Ok so I've read out this issue beforbut is this a problem on thanks with a built in overflow? I'm setting up a 75 with built in overflow. Inside the overflow there is a stand pipe and return pipe. Where should I drill the hole?

[Mr Cob]

NEW ONE....assume you have a 55g standard stand and canopy to find out that you do not....when "game day" arrives. Forced to implement.

OLD ONE....build a foam structure and forget that foam floats and also forget that you have a center brace and your foam structure won't fit now....lol!

[alexdmg]

Not clamping your hoses to your high flow water pump. Eventually they will get hard and could pop-off and spray your power strips.

[loans_n_fishes]

Shocking yourself when you stick your hand in the tank because one of your powerheads is leaking electrical current.

Losing ALL 15 of the baby seahorses you nursed to 10 weeks of age because of a sudden outbreak of hydroids! :( AND Finding medication for hydroid removal (Turns out it is GOAT dewormer! You should have seen the look on the feed store guy's face when I told him it was for seahorses.)

Getting bristle worm bristles all over your hand because you were too lazy to put on gloves to move rock around.

Having to stay home for days at a time to float frozen bottles of water every 1/2 hour in your seahorse tank because the AC goes out in the middle of summer---on a Holiday--and no one can come to work on it for a week. Apparently overheating an aquarium is not considered an "emergency".