240 Gallon Reef Tank CRASHED! No Power for 3 days.

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Most popular comments
for 240 Gallon Reef Tank CRASHED! No Power for 3 days.

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Andrew Pfeifer - 7 years ago

shoulda rented a generator ?

Frany bourke Bourke - 7 years ago

63 snowflake eels are realy cool

Dana Jackson - 7 years ago

I literally cried when I saw how bad everything looked. So very sad. Im glad you overcame the crash. And sorry you lost your leg! How terrible!

l4dyfett - 7 years ago

Oh man.. I can't imagine the smell :(

Daniel Phillips - 7 years ago

thats absolutely heartbreaking. Ive only just started cycling my first ever marine tank. I couldnt imagine losing all of that :(

Bond's Aquarium - 8 years ago

that is so sad :( I have my tank on a solar backup due to constant power loss at my house. I'm actually editing a video on how I made it right now!

Marek Tustin - 8 years ago

I am sorry, man!

MinedGames - 8 years ago

ouch :c

Claire Bear - 8 years ago

Dam and I was upset over the electricians killing seahorses

Claire Bear - 8 years ago

+Claire Bear Ive lost 2 rare fish this month...

Claire Bear - 8 years ago

+TotalNick41 Totally glass can cause a reflection and start forest fires...poor corals getting burned by a piece of glass...

TotalNick41 - 8 years ago

Good thing his fish tank isnt in the ocean, right?

10. comment for 240 Gallon Reef Tank CRASHED! No Power for 3 days.

mike scully - 8 years ago

need back up power asshole

daniel keon - 8 years ago

HI i want to enquire why did u on the lights while cycling? isit a requirement?

Jason Harrelson - 8 years ago

wow, I'm so sorry for your loss. seriously

Ted Bear - 8 years ago

6:59 That's what she said!

Robert Saddler - 7 years ago

Ted Bear you are funny! lol

Mermaid Ocean - 8 years ago

thanks for the intel- will do!!

x14inchdubsx - 8 years ago

you could get a large computer back up ups, it's like a generator however automatically will turn on when power goes out, no sound ,it's not as long term as a generator but okay for overnight

Dragon - 8 years ago

you talk to your child as if he is retarded or something.

Justin Raath - 8 years ago

Dragon, you sir are what we call in Australia 'A peanut'.

slbjwk - 8 years ago

How kind of you. My child was 2 at the time. I would not talk any different to someone with a handicap than someone who isn't.

Johnnie Nuby - 9 years ago

u can also have battery powered air pump.. I case of emergency just to keep oxygen in the water

Jeremy B - 9 years ago

That's why you have a generator

TheTanman2011 - 9 years ago

I can't watch man. Sorry this happened to you. Hope you purchased a generator and battery backups.

20. comment for 240 Gallon Reef Tank CRASHED! No Power for 3 days.

Adhil Wardhana - 9 years ago

i have a generator for my 350 only

ArmorPsi - 9 years ago

Sooo much money down the drain!!

slbjwk - 8 years ago

:( yep :(. Word to the wise....have an insurance policy on the tank if you have as much invested as you wouldn't want to lose. My insurance wouldn't cover it because I didn't have a special rider. Bummer

First Massage - 9 years ago

sorry for the loss. aquarium controller and back up battery are amazing investments.

CHRIS L - 9 years ago

Damn man...sorry for the loss of the tank and sorry about the wreak. Keep ya head up...

Derek Walker - 9 years ago

wow thats too bad for the tank and im sorry about your accident thats soo sad...

George Adams - 9 years ago

Generator???

slbjwk - 9 years ago

Hi everyone! I got the tank fully back up and running over a year's time. Due to a car accident that claimed my left leg, I donated the tank to a pet shop owner who did everything in his power to help care for my tank when I was bound to a wheelchair. They LOVE the tank!!! Thank you for all of your kind posts on my video.

Guy Goodwin - 7 years ago

Sorry to hear about your leg , Appreciate the update on your vids

HNiCDuke - 8 years ago

hey man don't break a leg

RadReefs - 8 years ago

ok thanks

RadReefs - 8 years ago

+slbjwk I'm so sorry about your leg! That must be HORRIBLE not being able to walk. You are tough, bro!

RadReefs - 8 years ago

+slbjwk I am debating setting up a 40 gallon reef tank, mainly intimidated by the cost of the lights for keeping corals. Any advice?

M. Samman - 9 years ago

that's so sad

virus_02 - 9 years ago

hard lesson learned allways buy a power bank ups.

dawn m lamb # DML Studio - 9 years ago

HELLO...so how is your 240 tank doing now????are you going to do an update???

dawn m lamb # DML Studio - 8 years ago

+slbjwk I WILL PRAY FOR YOU!!

slbjwk - 8 years ago

Sorry, just saw your post. I made an updated comment about 2 months ago. But long and short the tank is still thriving! I lost my leg in a car accident so I gave the tank to the local pet shop owner because he was sooooo kind to care for my tank while I was down for the count (over a year basically). :)

30. comment for 240 Gallon Reef Tank CRASHED! No Power for 3 days.

Mason Dodd - 9 years ago

A back up generator is a must. I keep one to power my tank in case of outages, and have needed it 3 times so far

SuperGrowPlants - 9 years ago

how long you wait before adding fish again?

slbjwk - 8 years ago

Hi, I waited until the water tested safe. We essentially let it cycle after all the water changes before adding fish. Just about how you would on a brand new tank :)

Twisted Chi - 9 years ago

Awesome video.

Azei Alaiiya - 9 years ago

why are you letting this happened?u had an amazing aquarium and u should hv a backup plan if anything worst ever going to happen because 1)its expensive to hv this hobby 2)poor fish 3)its tiring to start it all over again especially with your massive tank

slbjwk - 8 years ago

I know :(. Hind sight is 20/20. I shared so others can learn from my mistake

Tacomaguy458 - 9 years ago

what a heatbreaker... the tank was gorgeous before. on the up side ( if there really is one ) you have a blank canvas again. I bet that lawnmower blenny was in heaven with all that hair algae.

Dry Dessert - 9 years ago

putting new fish into the tank in that condition??

slbjwk - 8 years ago

Water tested safe long before we added fish. I didn't lose one :)

Daniel Claeys - 9 years ago

It's absolutely horrible and it's every aquarists nightmare. I feel really sorry for you!!

TheHairos - 9 years ago

Gutting. Fair play for starting again though

Johndelco223 - 9 years ago

Hate to see this..

dumpster baby - 9 years ago

you need to invest in a gas generator

Charlee Jay - 9 years ago

I felt sad watching this and so sorry for your loss. It's nice that you started over again though. Thanks for sharing a lesson learned. Note to myself: Buy a generator SOON.

John Harle - 9 years ago

I would cry

adav1d 1981 - 9 years ago

Research solar back up power

doesgodcareanymore - 9 years ago

i was thinking of moving to a reef tank but having watched this i think i will stick to tropicals they would survive a few days without power. this was very sad to watch, good luck.

DREAMBIG - 10 years ago

Can I ask why even bother with the water changes? Why didn't u just nuke the tank with bleach and start over?

slbjwk - 8 years ago

I wanted to keep the live rock alive. It really was my saving grace because it still housed so many critters that helped wth the cleanup and filtration :)

Billy Simkins - 10 years ago

I had a tank filled to the brim wipe out when we went on a trip to San Diego. We live in Bakersfield and the AC went out when it was 112. Came back and it looked like milk. sad

fordpwrXR8 - 10 years ago

Very sad...I'm gonna have to get a generator. Thanks for the video, sorry for the loss.

Alex Kingcole - 10 years ago

I went 1 year without a generator during a reef build, and yep, I lost power too. Not for 3 days though!, So I went out and bought a Honda eu 2000i. My reef is covered, all 118 gallons. Always have a back up power supply in this hobby! Hope you are coming back strong on your tank rebuild.

i - 10 years ago

i feel said now but , i took my money and bought a generator and it saved my ass more then once

Robert Rainey - 10 years ago

I'm a few years late seeing this. Yet I feel sad and sick to see this video :(

50. comment for 240 Gallon Reef Tank CRASHED! No Power for 3 days.

santos56ad - 10 years ago

Can I get a generator first and then the tank

Jorden Watkins - 10 years ago

Damn that was hard to watch...just seeing this now. Sorry that happened to you

Simon Johnson - 10 years ago

my worst nightmare :/

Duke Sweden - 10 years ago

Yikes, hope you're back up and running again. I had a pump, not even 2 years old, short out and electrocute my entire tank! It's been laying fallow for 7 years. Finally got the funds to get it up and running this week.

Duke Sweden - 8 years ago

Thanks, but, tragically, I have my own sad story. The only reason I had to funds to restart my tank is my beloved wife of 29 years passed away and left my son and I insurance money. A smart saver I am NOT, believe me.

Tank is doing great despite going against my better judgement and wasting a few thousand on stupid mistakes. Like I said, a smart saver I am NOT. But the tank has helped me get through the rough patch of my wife's death. It still haunts me but the tank and my two other hobbies help take my mind off my grief. But enough about me. I'm not the only one in the world with sorrows. At least I've got both legs. Sorry about that. It must be awful but you seem to have a wonderful outlook.

slbjwk - 8 years ago

Congrats on saving up instead of going broke to start it up sooner! I love smart saving folks :). How is tank now? I ended up getting this one gorgeous again but then lost my leg in a car accident and a year later gave the tank to the local pet shop owner who soooo kindly took care of my tank while I was down for the count. He and his wife are LOVING the tank!!!

Cono Savino - 10 years ago

I had the same thing was hit with the Famous "SANDY" in in long island new your and all the power lines around our area were down for about 3 weeks before any repair was done ...
so it really sucks ..even if you wanted to get a generator there were people buying them and reselling them for double the price and plus to get gas was close to impossible because it wasn't getting trucked in fast enough

Jorden Watkins - 10 years ago

Damn I'm sorry to hear that!

mikesgsx420 - 10 years ago

happen to me fucking pg&n

A1sauce - 10 years ago

Way to come back strong! Good Vid!

TheGongShow61 - 10 years ago

What a heart break

Henry Lin - 10 years ago

Same thing happened to me as well, but I got a 900W HF generator for less than $100. That's one of the best $100 I've ever spend.

Tony Moniz - 10 years ago

so painful to watch...sorry

Sada22 - 10 years ago

JOURDAN LOPEZ - 10 years ago

Damn, sorry to hear.

3578lehcar - 10 years ago

I would have been hospitalized

slbjwk - 8 years ago

Right!!!!!! I was borderline frantic, delirious and out of my mind upset. I must admit, I cried my eyeballs out for days and days!!!

Reefphreak - 11 years ago

Just now seeing this video. I'm so sorry this happened to you. I am glad that you got it back up and running again. Haven't looked at videos that posted after this yet. Sucks to have to start over, but in a way....cool to watch how things can recover and rebuild from such a mess.

Tony Goose - 11 years ago

Did u buy a generator?

J Fox - 11 years ago

So sorry to hear about this, I would of been devastated, I only have a tropical tank and I would be nearly suicidal if anything happened to my tank,

slbjwk - 8 years ago

Yes!!!! You and me both! I was beside myself!!! I was a crying, sobbing, out of my mind crazy upset fool for a while. :).

the roz - 11 years ago

Sorry to hear about the loss. Were you home when the power was out?

dustin mcdonald - 11 years ago

also in a tank that big and having 3 tangs i would get a blue streak cleaner wrasse. just make sure you have copepods and amphiboids. its part of their diet.

dustin mcdonald - 11 years ago

MOTOMASTER ELIMINATOR BATTERY pack. those camping things. thats what i have. im soo sorry to see what happened

dustin mcdonald - 11 years ago

get the 200$ one cuz they are good for 30hrs

manuel Gamboa - 11 years ago

Lol 1:22

RadReefs - 8 years ago

+manuel Gamboa Hurbert The Purvert

slbjwk - 11 years ago

Sorry @eric that you aren't seeing your post. I've never deleted any comments. Your comment is not offensive at all :). Read below and you'll see overly offensive comments and realize I clearly don't delete anyone's notes. I appreciate everyone's thoughts!! I was out of town when this happened. I got the news and drive 24 hours to get home from Montana.

ericr530 - 11 years ago

No problem. Thanks for the response. Yes, unfortunately unless you have a whole house generator that detects an outage and switches automatically, you'll have to be home to use a small hand cranked generator dedicated solely to the tank. Might I suggest the ecotech circulation pumps, get one and also and more specifically, get the battery backup. I have an MP10 w/battery backup and it was a lifesaver when the power went out for 19 hrs. one time. Didn't loose a single piece of livestock, didn't even have an ammonia spike. Although the battery is expensive at about $165, it is worth every penny IMO ,will work automatically when you're not home, and is far and away cheaper than loosing 100's to 1000's of dollars in live rock and livestock.

ericr530 - 11 years ago

Ummm...... My comment that I posted about 3-4 days ago was deleted and I'm wondering why....... I said that a 1000W generator, can be had as little as $125USD and it is a very, very cheap insurance policy for large reef tanks costing many thousands of dollars and somehow this is offensive?.......I'm completely dumbfounded.

Tony Goose - 11 years ago

Invest in a generator it saved my fish a hundred times

ericr530 - 11 years ago

Damn, hate that. You could have bought a 1000k watt generator for as little as $100, it's too cheap an insurance policy to be without. Of course, you have to be home to get it going, though. I have a battery backup on my Vortech MP10 and when the power in my area went out for almost 19 hrs. one time it was a life saver, carried the tank through with no losses, not even an ammonia spike. Didn't even have to crank up the generator. Both items are worth their weight in gold especially if you have $1000's in livestock, and more than justify their low price.

David Tanner - 11 years ago

YES POWER OUT'S DEFFENTLY NO GOOD MIN WAS 15 HR'S 1ST 9 HR'S WAS AT NIGHT WHEN WE WHERE A SLEEP IT WAS ONLY -5 c. MY TANK WAS 9 c. fish where at the top of tank looking for air and the qt tank they where dead I got out my 400 watt inverter and hocked it up to the car and go a pump and air pump going but it had been too late the damage was dune after 9 hr.'s your bacteria is dead I lost fish corals and live rock and my big softy that was when open 600 w x 700 h not strata away I have re stocked the tank agen

saltburnsurfer - 11 years ago

ps, seahare/vodka-vinegar cured my huge variety of different algea's that grew in my tank... I'm sure some were undocumented and new to science!

saltburnsurfer - 11 years ago

I could cry for you, I lost everything this summer in the UK (freak warm weather - no chiller) didn't sleep for a week

ROBBIE WILLIAMS - 11 years ago

holy fuck , painful to watch

Preston Daniel Perez-Mosos Escaria Mesa - 11 years ago

how high was the water bill that month?!?!

Derek Graham - 11 years ago

ooops.... or should I say duhhh...

GaZaLoC1 - 11 years ago

Damm bro that's crazy srry to see what happened

umc studio - 11 years ago

Algae its going to be in your rock until you remove the bacteria from inside tge rock which is never you must boil the rock. I had the sane problem . I try reducing light water changes, chemicals and no results. Keep ph high that could help

Sankha Gamage - 11 years ago

So sorry to see what you went through. I kind of had a similar incident when my tanks front glass blew up.

Hadey Mae - 11 years ago

So sorry to here of this but I see a light at the end of the tunnel.

rosepedal911 - 11 years ago

:( we had a house fire a few months back and it blew up our reef tank, it put out half of the fire but I miss that tank soooo much!!! I can feel your pain!!!

Carlos Vazquez - 11 years ago

Omg watching this made me ball in tears I kno how hard it is to make your tank happy I'm so sorry this had to happen you made me wanna go get a backup battery right now

SpeakerFrequer - 11 years ago

Man, I feel for you. I know this was almost a year ago, but still. At least you have family that seems as interested in your reef as you are... that is HUGE! Keep it up

fishmom wheeler - 11 years ago

So sorry! Good luck to you and family! Love the video of wife and son. My boy loves the fish as well!

reefwarrior - 11 years ago

u are a warrior , great you never give up.........

manuel Gamboa - 11 years ago

I lost my 1,000 reef tank to the same thing over 3 million dollars down in the drain

Soulrider2012 - 11 years ago

What a horrible thing to have happen to such a wonderful looking tank. I hope you are able to bounce back and get your tank back to the way it was, or even better. Good luck.

FlintSparked - 11 years ago

Oh dang, apocalypse tank. :(

SC50964 - 11 years ago

Sorry to see this but why you didn't just rent a generator from places like Home Depot ?

MarinneV - 11 years ago

man dud that sucks, sorry to hear that

Dimitry Kalinichenko - 11 years ago

I feel your pain, bro. I'm happy to see that you found a power to back to it. Keep us updated.

MrDLR74 - 11 years ago

Dude! Devastating

Nick Gilmartin - 11 years ago

Did the heater die?

Nick Gilmartin - 11 years ago

That LM blenny is gonna be FAT

Bryan Lefever - 11 years ago

I'm sick to my stomach lol this is awful

caron reform - 11 years ago

what a pity....I'm sorry for you...I know what means,lots of work and time wasted---

100. comment for 240 Gallon Reef Tank CRASHED! No Power for 3 days.

Justin T - 11 years ago

Ahhhhhh dude that sucks it happened to me too I fed my fish just as I was leaving out of town and forgot to turn all the pumps back on. Man I'm crying for you. Need to get a reef controller cheaper than loosing a set up like this again.

slbjwk - 11 years ago

On a lighter note, I have slowly began to grow our reef again. I've not out nearly the amount of money into it this time, instead just focusing on the fine details of making the best of the few pieces my local reefers donated and the few I've purchased ... Growing them out with love!

slbjwk - 11 years ago

As soon as the corals begin to die, they release toxins that also lend to the death of all fish. It was a toxic disaster I wouldn't wish upon my worse enemy! (Not even the unkind person who posted above.).

slbjwk - 11 years ago

Thank you for the comments (well most of them ;)). The entire tank of life died due to suffocation. When water isn't flowing, there is no oxygen exchange and therefore nothing gets oxygen :(

Maverick Hunter - 11 years ago

Its just fucking coral and fish.Yes, its tragic that all that money and time gone in only 3 days.But within a few months time,it will be all up and running aqain.Its just a fish tank,calm down,you can always replace the fish and the corals.And if he didn't know how to care for it,then how did it get so beautiful like that.But still,how does a whole entire aquarium just die off in only 3 days.I can understand the coral dying,but the fish ?

xxcowslayerxxx - 11 years ago

I bet you bought a few generators after this am I right?

dangappa - 11 years ago

What killed it? Lack of water/oxygen, or lack of light? Maybe nitrate/amonia spike?

eddyAMP - 11 years ago

OMG! why are you recording vertically lol

Peter Paul Legaspi - 11 years ago

*patpat* I hope you haven't lost your ambition to rebuild your reef. Cheers! :)

kashi tey - 11 years ago

fuck uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

kashi tey - 11 years ago

nah, i dont think that was it.

eimhing7 - 11 years ago

It means shut your whore mouth

kashi tey - 11 years ago

wtf is that supposed to mean.

eimhing7 - 11 years ago

Its your time of the month alright..

GFormica1 - 11 years ago

This has convinced me to buy a backup system.

Kevin Wilson and everything aquariums - 11 years ago

Man I'm sorry that happened, look into ecotech they sell backup batteries for the lights and pumps. But I'm glad you didn't quit. Never mind that retard that posted before me(hater) he's mad cause he can't afford the hobby!!!!!

kashi tey - 11 years ago

Thats what you get for being ignorant mother fuckers and not think about your fish. people like you should have never been fucking born. All that life gone because of your lazy ass. You get a fucking aquarium and flood it with fishes and kill theM cuz you dont know how to fucking take care of them. Spoiled ass piece of shit. That 10000 dollars gone from your cheap ass wallet. fucking jew. thats what fuckers like you deserve. THIS. SHIT. IS. REALITY.............BITCH!!!!!!!!!!

iamreesebey - 11 years ago

hate that happened to you glad its back running well

1knightstand007 - 11 years ago

That sucks...I feel your pain!im going through the same thing ATM.after I did a water change yesterday,my sps died this morning:( I don't exactly know what happened but something went array.

Felipe - 11 years ago

what kind of algae is this? How to remove them? Already spent a lot of time and money to remove and no success.

Liberty309 - 11 years ago

WOW!!! That sucks

Mark's reef - 11 years ago

I. Feel sorry for u I would cry if that happened to me lol

slbjwk - 12 years ago

My advice is leave the corners shadowed! This is my place to grow low light corals, mushrooms, pagoda cups, etc. once the lights are set up, you really will like the way it looks! I remember having the same concern. Save money, electricity and stick with your 6' fixture, center it and you won't have but 6-7 inches of lower light area. It gives the tank a nice look of variance :)

slbjwk - 12 years ago

Hi sorry for the delay reply! I have all Tunze equipment and thank myself often for splurging on the high quality! I have their large wave box and two of their biggest powerheads. The threesome is controlled by the Tunze multi controller 7096. LOVE IT!! My skimmer is the large Tunze Doc Master. As for GPH...memory doesn't serve me in the moment. I'll check and reply soon. I should know this still :)

deeptruth2012 - 12 years ago

hey me again lol!! Another question can you tell me what equipment you used and how many gph? Such as what pumps did you use and powerheads and how many powerheads and brand.. i have the exact same size tank as you and i need help with flow and yours seem to have enough

deeptruth2012 - 12 years ago

also what are the dimensions of the tank?

deeptruth2012 - 12 years ago

what size light did you have over that tank?

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