Tank Crashes

[May&Bruce]

I am interested in why tanks crash when they are new. Most common problem seems to be overloading with fish too early on.

My first tank (3ft) crashed about a month after i started it, for that reason. When I started my 5ft tank , i was extremely careful to check all parameters and not overload it with fish, but it also crashed after about a month of being stocked - got ich fisrt and then marine velvet - lost about 50% of livestock and some corals.

Both tanks were left for a month to mature before adding any fish or corals.

[May&Bruce]

Come on ppl, how about voting some more?

[Alvin Tan]

with a proper setup and system..w/o overloading LS..i dun see y the tank will crash..

cheers..

[May&Bruce]

i think most ppl overstock too soon, and also don't wait the required time for the tank to mature.

With my 2nd tank a reefer showed me how to speed up the maturation phase by spiking with ammonia first and then adding some bacteria. It really worked...ammonia ramped up, then nitrite, then both disappeared as nitrate rose. All happened in about a week, but I still wated 5 weeks before adding any LS. A month later i had a crash, but i suspect it wa borught on b y a new fish that might have been diseased.

[Gouldian]

All in all, I have done about 15-18 setups and I am very fortunate I have never experienced any crash. *Fingers and Toes Crossed*

The only near crash was my most recent one whereby I was told by my friend that his tank never exceed 30 degrees.

So I bought him a bubble coral. In the end, we have a milky tank! Luckily, we managed to salvage the situation thereby preventing a crash.

[May&Bruce]

Come on guys....71% of all of us have never had a tank crash in the beginning? Wow, me so stupid one then.

[yus75]

Come on guys....71% of all of us have never had a tank crash in the beginning?  Wow, me so stupid one then.

now u had 73.33%

but it jus a vote.....up to u to believe or not w the votes......

[May&Bruce]

yus75, yep I am wondering about that..............

[yus75]

ive change tanks n shift house N total start is 5......so far nvr xperience the

[May&Bruce]

why do you think others have so much problem?

[Gouldian]

No offense May&Bruce, but I have a friend of mine that refuses to heed advises or read up and in the end, he had a major carsh than ended his interest in Marine.

I am not saying that all that experienced crashes are people who "Thick Headed", just some.

May&Bruce, I am not sure what causes your crash. But one thing I am sure is that you have learned from it and will better some of us that have had it "easy".

[yus75]

why do you think others have so much problem?

hmm...mayb those other 3voters exclude urself who ever had crash come forward n share y their tank crash.....r we here to share right???

[May&Bruce]

Yes, it is interesting becuase quite a few people that I have talked with have suffered crashes in the early days, so I think some people don't like to let on here, even though the poll is anonymous.

I was simply wanting to get peoples views to save other newbies from suffering a crash, becuase it really can be quite disheartening.

From what I can make out, most common problems are (not in priority order):

1. Not leaving the tank to mature long enough

2. Overstocking

3. Inadequate filtration (esp. insufficient skimming)

4. Introducing diseases by adding water from the fish bag when adding fish to the tank.

All simple lessons to be learnt...

[jaso fc]

hey bros,

Have to be very patience in waiting for your tank to be ready.....

eg. my No3 still above 25mg/l after a mth still have to wait leh...........

In army we been waiting n waiting rite

So??? wait la

[andylee]

Yes, it is interesting becuase quite a few people that I have talked with have suffered crashes in the early days, so I think some people don't like to let on here, even though the poll is anonymous.

I was simply wanting to get peoples views to save other newbies from suffering a crash, becuase it really can be quite disheartening.

From what I can make out, most common problems are (not in priority order):

1. Not leaving the tank to mature long enough

2. Overstocking

3. Inadequate filtration (esp. insufficient skimming)

4. Introducing diseases by adding water from the fish bag when adding fish to the tank.

All simple lessons to be learnt...

I think alot of reefers are ignorant about reason no.4

Of cos i referring mostly to newbies and not lao jiaos

[May&Bruce]

...good things come to those who wait....lol

[MbmC]

Just wondering as well, what is the usual time tank crashes occur? I mean, even if you cycle your tank properly, wait for 6 months before adding LS, your tank can still crash if overloaded.

I seriously doubt if there's a magic number, ie how many weeks or months you must wait before your tank won't crash. As long as the cycle is complete, and basic ground rules are followed, shouldn't crash right?

But of course, I'm just a newbie...

[piero]

I think there are many factors that affect or cause a tank crash.

Recently, I had taken out all my lifestock and restarted my tank after clearing out my DSB. I had a 100% water change and dumped in my LR and Lifestock directly. No causalty since the restart. I think that has something to do with my LR that are almost 6 years old.

I would think that synthetic salt mixed with properly filter or DI water and good quality LR, skimmer, wave makers and nutrient exporting equipment usually helps to prevent a crash. There is always the need not to overstock or add in lifestocks that can be toxic when they die off in the tank.

[redspring]

Foe me I have the crash for twuce.

First time not taking note of the water parameter and no skimmer, after one month all report back.

Second tank lok good, water parameter good but after 3 month itch start and back stock report back too....

now left it empty for a month before restart

[May&Bruce]

Interesting to see this thread still somewhat active after 2.5 years. After I started my second tank 150 gal reef tank I never had a crash nor any disease out breaks (no itch - !!!!!). Only significant problem was an algae outbreak after about 18 months when I let the alkalinity get too low.

Seems like if you pay attention to the basics, like letting the tank cycle long enough, watch the water quality and don't overstock, there should be no reason for a crash.