Trop. Storm Irene Destroyed my 55 gallon reef--how to restart?

[annierose]

Hi all:
I am so sad to report that my 55 gallon reef tank was completely destroyed due to an 8 day power outage. No, we did not have a generator at the time, but we have one now.

I have been in this hobby for about 3 years and we lost everything. It was absolutely heartbreaking as my family loved those fish!

I feel so guilty and neglectful, but I have learned by lesson.
The smell of the tank was absoultely overwhelming. I don't know where to begin and this is where I need help. I have scrubbed and removed all the live rock to plastic storage bins with power heads running in each bin. The smell, however, is still overwhelming. I have also emptied the tank and scrubbed it thoroughly. Has the live rock in some way been contaminated? Should I throw it out? Is it usable if I go through the "curing process" with frequent water changes? Will the smell dissipate over time? I am so overwhelmed and I could use any suggestions you can give me.
Thank you so much in advance for your help. I have learned so much from the people in this forum over the years.
Annie

 

[tangs rule]

I am sorry to hear this - I too lost my 125 reef that was 8 years old when Ike came thru texas and we had no power for 8-9 days. I was able to save my fish by using little "D" cell battery powered air pump and little 20g tank - but about everything in the reef died.....Jeez I remember the godawful stench, and 4 years later I can still recall it.
I let my rock dry some outside then re-used it (rotten smell still) to cycle the 125 once I got it cleaned out. I washed my substrate to remove some of the stinch - but basically once I filled up a 5gal bucket with dead coral/snails/crabs/stars/etc.etc. I just washed out the tank/cleaned the substrate/and had it running again within 2 days. It was ready to add cuc about a month later and started over from there.
I too have a generator now - and can easily go DAYS with no power - and If I had a little warning, all I need is another 2 55g drums filled with gas, and I could probably make it 2 weeks in the dark.
Sorry for the loss - I know EXACTLY how ya feel right now.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Aww! Sorry for your losses. I know it can be rough, but you'll make it through! Congrats on your first time posting! I would like to see you around more often! Hopefully this little hic-cup will bring you here more often.
Did you use any chemicals when you "scrubbed" the live rock? I hope you didn't.
Get the tank put back together, fill your tank up with freshly mixed saltwater and put your live rock back in the tank. Don't add the old water to it. You will go through a cycle again, and it will probably take about 30 days. Make sure all of your equipment works and that you don't have voltage/current in the water and then start er' up again! Your live rock will still have bacteria, worms, algaes and such still on it and you shouldn't throw it out.
I hope this helps.
And don't worry! Everything will be fine!

 

[snakeblitz33]

By the way, A generator is a pretty awesome thing to have if you have a lot invested in your tank. Another thing you could do is buy a couple of UPS devices (Un-interruptible Power Supply) (Forgive my speeling). They are great for little 4.5w koralia powerheads, and they will keep your water moving and flowing for a long time. You can even turn them on and off as you need to to conserve energy. I'm considering buying one for my tank.

 

[travelerjp98]

Start out by taking a deep breath and breathe. Everything will be alright... just see exactly what needs to be done and separate it into several small tasks. Welcome to saltwaterfish.com... we are all here to support you.

 

[annierose]

Wow! Thanks so much for the prompt replies. I am relieved that I do not have to re-purchase the live rock and that people have successfully rebuilt after such a disaster. Fortunately, I did not use anything except water and a brush to clean up the live rock. I now have a plan!

I will begin refilling the tank tomorrow, buy some new sand for the bottom, get all the electronics hooked up and throw the live rock back into the tank and let it run for a while. I guess the good news is I won't have to place a raw piece of shrimp from the grocery store in this time to cycle it!

Thanks again!!!!!!!

 

[acrylic51]

Sorry about your loss.......I myself have been thinking of getting a generator with the winter months coming and the past flooding we've had made it seem a bit more logical.....Even my wife is in agreement with the purchase of a generator.....My intention for the generator is for the tank, but her "thinking" is for the refrigerator, lights, heat......

Ok....I agree with the frig and bit of heat, but that's what the fireplace is for.......
I agree with what's been said earlier....You could pull your rock and rinse, and since the rock is IMO considered dead, there wouldn't be an issue with soaking it in a bleach mix......Of course you would have to thoroughly rinse and let dry.....You could even go so far as to soak it then in dechlorinator after wards, but would definitely rinse and let air dry till you can't detect the bleach smell and would be perfectly fine.......

 

[tangs rule]

No shrimp required - lol.....if your rock stinks like mine did - there's plenty of ammonia being created there. I stayed away from corals till just this year because of that disaster..My tanks were pretty much FOWLR since Ike....The fish did fine thru the ordeal, and I;ve since added more - and upgradded to a much larger DT. Overall though - all I was really out was the corlas & inverts. I've still got the same rock and substrate that went thru the ordeal, and the same fish too....Actually it was more of a PITA to upgrade the 125 than it was to clean it up and start it over. Or maybe at the time I was just so happy to be able to flip a friggin lightswitch and have something happen, that I didn;t mind the clean up! lol
Your tank should be ready in about a month to slowly begin adding things again. For me, the whole thing is just a vivid memory, but I know it;s kinda tough to go thru...It will all come back though, just takes time....and a little $$

 

[snakeblitz33]

You may want to add a few pounds of live rock from the LFS as well, as kind of insurance... once you get everything back in the tank. Watch your ammonia level really well and have some fresh saltwater mix ready for a water change if ammonia gets too high.