Water changing disaster!

puff(er) daddy

puff(er) daddy

Member
I was filling my rubbermaid trashcan up for my bi weekly water change. I added the salt and then put the heater and powerhead in place. I then rolled the trashcan to the back porch where I then plugged both the heater and ph up and left it there until I make the change on Sunday.
I then had a problem with one of my Aqua Clear 802 powerheads. The impeller kept getting stuck so I had to take it apart and play with it until it started spinning again. While I was fixing the powerhead I heard a big BOOM! I ran to the back porch b/c it sounded like someone was trying to kick my door in. I then saw that it was my freshly mixed 30 gallons of saltwater all over my back porch. Yes, it was one of those nights when nothing was right and everything was going wrong.
It's almost 11:30 p.m Eastern, and the water is cleaned up and the powerhead is running ok except for it blowing out bubbles. If I wasn't having a night like tonight I would fix it but I'm not touching anything else tonight. NOT TONIGHT!
:mad: :mad:
 
nacl-h2o

nacl-h2o

Active Member
We've all had those days were nothing goes right. But look at the good side as of right now it's a new day. Welcome to wednesday, I hope it will treat you better.
 
puff(er) daddy

puff(er) daddy

Member
Is the fish gods looking over me or what! I use the over the counter filter that you just hook up to your faucet. I usually get about 25 to 30 gallons out of each filter before it's exuausted. After the spill, which was 30 gallons I've got 15 more gallons out of the same filter.
 
puff(er) daddy

puff(er) daddy

Member
When you add water to these rubbermaid trashcans they bow out. They are great for the job but, mine has wheels on it. I don't know if everyone else here that uses these cans have wheels or not. I put the can next to the wall with the wheels facing the other direction when I should have faced the wheel toward the wall. By the can bowing out gravity took hold and it rolled back and fell over.
 
chrismilano

chrismilano

Member
Thats not half as bad as 30 gallons of water INSIDE Your house! Look at it that way.
I just had 2 $30 psuedos get eaten by my ribbon eel. Just gotta suck it up and smile!
 
kris

kris

Member
Just to help you put your day into perspective--here's how my last bad "tank" day went:
Started with the tang jumping out of the tank when I took the cover off. Then after saving her and removing some dog hair from her (he he) I took the glass gover into the kitchen to clean--dropped and broke into a few million pieces, which the dog promptly stepped on got stuck and started bleeding all over our new carpet. Started draining and vacuuming, finished vacuuming (the cc) and continued to drain --went for a smoke break --came back and noticed no more suction (hmmmm)--sink clogged and overflowed the bathroom ALOT-all through the cabinets--everywhere! No wait it gets worse! Fix all that and went to start filters--disconnect valve on canister tubes malfunctioned--lift cover and pouring water greeted me. Lots of it--doesn't stop till I get the tubes out of the tank (which are kinda hard to reach. Ok so now I've soaked all the living room not to mention all my powercords. I could actually turn my power strip and drain it. Run to Menards for a wet vac :D Took a break and made a vet appt for the dog who is still bleeding. Start putting things back together and get the hair dryer to dry out all my cords. Get shocked. <img src="graemlins//freak.gif" border="0" alt="[freak]" /> Grandma brings my 2yr old home who proceeds to start stirring my fish. They're in buckets) Then breaks the hydrometer.
So then i had to run to *****. Finally about 7hours later all is well again, till I go into the downstairs and realize the flood from the bathroom had leaked through--cause you can see the waterspots on the drop ceiling panels. <img src="graemlins//eek.gif" border="0" alt="[eek]" />
So you see it could have been worse!!!
 
J

jessicarabit

Guest
I don't know why you use a garbage can...big tank? I know that since doing water changes at 10 y/o I have always used buckets (5 gallon 'pickel' buckets or salt buckets). Now that I have a larger tank (55 long), I do a weekly water change (keeps down the evaporation), in which I make the water I intend to use that day (sometimes next day)& I put it in a bathtug full of hot water, which only takes 15-30 min for the right temp. I don't suggest 'dumping' it straight into the main tank (stressful on fish & moves decorations around), but for those with wet/dry hang-ons, you can slowly (I use a tupperware pitcher) pour water in the filter's compartments, which will mix nicely with the main tanks. I don't try nor suggest leaving water sitting around...you don't know what might fall into it or like your accident could happen. Good luck
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top