Catastrophic Tank Failure....your opinion ?

[PowderTang]

What would you do if this happens to you....quit or start over ?

[bandit]

That's sad, I would never quit! But I have lots of tanks so if one failed I would just move the livestock over.

[Gaspare]

I was in the salt water hobby for over ten years and during that time I have unfortunately experienced catastrophic tank failures ranging from heater malfunctions to leaking tank seams, etc.     This is something that we will all experience at some point in time.

Over the years we have had all sorts of salt water tanks ranging from 12gal Nano to 150gal full reef setups.  I must say that this is a great hobby if one does it right.  I remember the first time I went to Marinescape and was told to go slow and let it grow.  (Words to live by in this hobby)   

Even though I am not in the salt water hobby right now.  I must say that when my wife and I would experience such events we would try to learn from them and continue in the hobby.  We would salvage what we could and slowly restart the process. 

[ramblnpony]

Two half wattage heaters instead of one hooked up to a controller that shuts off the power to them when temperature set point is reached is a must IMO. As far as leaks go, the only thing I can think of is to have one or two emergency Rubbermaid tubs. Everybody should test their water at least one a week to avoid a "too late" problem.

[percula99]

Quit or start over depends on how much the hobby is in your blood. I have been a salty for forty years and have had my share of tank disasters ranging from power outages to disease to out of control heaters. Never have I even considered (seriously at least) quitting the hobby. Learn from your problems and grow from them. My reef is stable and running flawlessly now for quite some time. The most important things I have learned are patience, planning and quarantine. Good luck.

[Surfdog]

Among other tanks, I had a 300G well stocked SW setup when living in Montreal. Along came the ice storm and knocked out our power for 2 weeks. Needless to say, I lost all my fish.
I then moved to Florida (The Keys) within a month and since I was on the ocean needed no tanks. We moved back to Canada, Ottawa this time and 1st thing I did was get back into it. I can't see myself tankless unless I'm on the Ocean, if I had a major failure I'd roll up my sleeves and start over.


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[robt18]

Depending on the severity of the failure, a couple of times I've stepped back from the hobby. I never have completely, but I've definitely downsized and quit certain aspects. However, I'm always pulled back in somehow and upgrade here and there and end up bigger and better than before.

I think that's one of the things that I love about this hobby; there's always bigger and better you can do (or smaller and better....). There are really no limits to tanks. Things are so dynamic and there are so many options, if you get sick of one aspect, you can always move towards another.

[dbl_dbl]

I once had a heater go crazy and meltdown in the sump of an old frag tank. The tank probably had a grand or so worth in trade ins at the time and I was devastated. I ended up leaving the salt hobby only to get back in a few months later.

Sometimes you just need a breather after something catastrophic but if your really passionate about the hobby, it will call you back.

[Feivel]

Anyone who knows my story Enough said

Broken heater, electrocution, multiple floods, over a week and algae outbreaks & cyano take overs for the next few months. I used to have double 75g tanks side by side in the same 30g sump. 50 different rainbow acans,



over 150 different corals. all died shortly after. I then had to move from that apt and had a 30g clause in my new place. and had to downsize, selling anything to large for my 30g.... So... Now im using a 180g rated skimmer on a 30g tank, with reefbrights and controllers dual heater, ground probe etc etc lol. My original GSP FINALLY started comming back out after 4-5 months being recessed.
Really devestated and heart broken. Even in my move, I lost another 3-400(about 10 different frags/colonies) in acans alone that just kept gelling up for "no reason" i tried everything to save them.... im not sure how much more of that i can take at this point. Not much left in there to keep me motivated, althought the GSP gives me hope   I have a large duncan, 4-5 acans, a clam and tricolor brain left, thats about it.

I only have one raging reef acan left out of my collection. I had them all and thensome.

Sad is it not?