S
sirhc13
Guest
Looking for tips and do's and dont's from ppl who have had to tear down a large 220g reef tank to make repairs and still keep everything alive!! All corals are LPS and softies and lots of fish shrimp and inverts
Matt1997
Active Member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2017
- Location
- Barrie/Sudbury
What type of repairs?
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sirhc13
Guest
Have to empty the 220 and tank it off the stand to replace leaking bulkheads
shamous113
Active Member
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2015
- Location
- Stratford
Oh that sucks...do you have any pics of the plumbing?
Matt1997
Active Member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2017
- Location
- Barrie/Sudbury
Cant get at the bulkheads without taking it off the stand?
Honestly I think you have a lot more on your hands then you think. You basically are prepping for a move.
You will require lots of totes, lots of heaters and lots of pumps. You also risk chemical ammonia spikes. Basically set up all the totes, heaters, extension cords and pumps so they are ready. Drain the tank into the totes evenly and as you get down to rockwork move pieces into the totes. Get the fish out before the water level gets too low. Also do not remove the base rocks as that will stir up a lot of crap poisoning the water. Keep draining the tank until you no longer have clean water to drain out. At that point remove the base rocks. You may want to have a lot of NSW on hand to top off the totes. You will be left with the substrate and murky stinky water. I personally recommend removing the sand and getting new at that point. You can rinse and reuse the old, but it is a lot of work to clean the sand for what it is worth. Using as is will most likely nuke your tank.
Then onto fixing the tank.
I would also reevaluate the tank design so that if anything happens in the future you are not stuck in the same situation. Tearing the tank down should be the absolute last thing you try as it is the riskiest.
Maybe before you risk it, post more details and maybe someone can come up with an idea you missed.
You will require lots of totes, lots of heaters and lots of pumps. You also risk chemical ammonia spikes. Basically set up all the totes, heaters, extension cords and pumps so they are ready. Drain the tank into the totes evenly and as you get down to rockwork move pieces into the totes. Get the fish out before the water level gets too low. Also do not remove the base rocks as that will stir up a lot of crap poisoning the water. Keep draining the tank until you no longer have clean water to drain out. At that point remove the base rocks. You may want to have a lot of NSW on hand to top off the totes. You will be left with the substrate and murky stinky water. I personally recommend removing the sand and getting new at that point. You can rinse and reuse the old, but it is a lot of work to clean the sand for what it is worth. Using as is will most likely nuke your tank.
Then onto fixing the tank.
I would also reevaluate the tank design so that if anything happens in the future you are not stuck in the same situation. Tearing the tank down should be the absolute last thing you try as it is the riskiest.
Maybe before you risk it, post more details and maybe someone can come up with an idea you missed.
I went over to his place this afternoon and I think we got it sorted. [emoji4]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
When I saw your FB update I was hoping that this was the case. Glad he asked for some assistance. It saved him tons of work and unnecessary risk.
Ya, it was a bit of an awkward spot but I think we are on the way to a fix. He is finishing it up.
Sometimes when these things happen it helps to have a fresh sets of eyes and another pair of hands to get through it.
The holes where the bulkheads came through the plywood base were a bit tight and that was causing him issues. But after some brainstorming we came up with a plan, got them cut out and new ones installed [emoji4]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sometimes when these things happen it helps to have a fresh sets of eyes and another pair of hands to get through it.
The holes where the bulkheads came through the plywood base were a bit tight and that was causing him issues. But after some brainstorming we came up with a plan, got them cut out and new ones installed [emoji4]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk