Need Help Fast, Made a huge mistake - Aquarium Advice

JoshsReef · 11-11-2007, 04:21 PM

Well friday evening i turned off the power to my filters, heater, and powerheads to feed my fish. (usually do this for ten mins just to feed them so the food dont blow every) Anways somehow someway I fogot to turn the powerstrip back on and there has been no flow, no filtration, no heat since friday night. (I just got home from a hunting trip) The temp has dropped down to 62 degrees, I have everything back on now. All the fish are still alive. Is my filter media ok?

I have 90 pounds lr
fluval fx5
emperor 400

blue hippo tang
2 percs
1 yellow tang

Thanks guys

Innovator · 11-11-2007, 05:18 PM

Are they breathing heavy? Does the water look pretty hazed? I would perform some tests such as NH3 and pH. I would then perform a 25%-50% water change and replace any filtration media in the canister (pads, carbon, etc).

newfound77951 · 11-11-2007, 07:15 PM

I'd keep an eye on the fish for ich outbreaks (or anything else), especially since blue tangs are such ich magnets.

Maybe a separate powerstrip for the heater would be a good idea? Although I doubt you'll make that mistake twice! Lucky you didn't have a reef tank, that would have been a real disaster. I hope all the fish make it.

**lando** · 11-11-2007, 10:56 PM

Let things come back to temp and the water circulate. Do a water change in the next couple of days and see how it goes. Good luck.

**melosu58** · 11-12-2007, 10:19 PM

I agree. Just get the temp back to normal and the water flow back and do some frequent PWC`s and see where it is headed.

**Ziggy953** · 11-13-2007, 06:24 AM

Be careful not to have the temp jump back up too fast. I would change out all filter media for sure!

JoshsReef · 11-13-2007, 09:58 PM

i changed all the filter media out - just wondering why i was told to do this?

Innovator · 11-13-2007, 11:09 PM

Filtration media is designed to either breakdown or trap wastes, thus ridding the main system of excess and decaying matter; therefore, if the media was not removed those wastes, now just sitting in your filter for a couple days, would be re-released into your main display with more potency. New chemical media is always advised after a mishap to accelerate water polishing.

JoshsReef · 11-15-2007, 01:22 PM

how would they be rerelased? wouldnt when i turn the filtration back on media would just start working again? Sorry I am a little confused. Just wondering if i should be turing the filters off too feed my fish or if that is also releasing toxins back into my system

tmkx3 · 11-16-2007, 09:48 AM

If I am not mistaken I believe that if the filter media drys out the beneficial bacteria will die any way and all your left with Pardon the blunt ness decaying poop!!!! I would keep a close eye on your ammonia and other chemicals. I kinda made this mistake too but all I onplugged was my heater. I lost my coral beauty. My tangs were fine though. Good luck!!!

11-11-2007, 04:21 PM	#1
JoshsReef Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Northern Kentucky Posts: 228	Need Help Fast, Made a huge mistake Well friday evening i turned off the power to my filters, heater, and powerheads to feed my fish. (usually do this for ten mins just to feed them so the food dont blow every) Anways somehow someway I fogot to turn the powerstrip back on and there has been no flow, no filtration, no heat since friday night. (I just got home from a hunting trip) The temp has dropped down to 62 degrees, I have everything back on now. All the fish are still alive. Is my filter media ok? I have 90 pounds lr fluval fx5 emperor 400 blue hippo tang 2 percs 1 yellow tang Thanks guys

11-11-2007, 10:56 PM	#4
lando Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Savage, MN Posts: 7,669 Images: 46	Let things come back to temp and the water circulate. Do a water change in the next couple of days and see how it goes. Good luck. __________________ Some people are like slinkies...they serve no real purpose yet can still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs! Have a great day! Brian

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11-11-2007, 05:18 PM	#2
Innovator Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,606	Are they breathing heavy? Does the water look pretty hazed? I would perform some tests such as NH3 and pH. I would then perform a 25%-50% water change and replace any filtration media in the canister (pads, carbon, etc).

11-13-2007, 09:58 PM	#7
JoshsReef Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Northern Kentucky Posts: 228	i changed all the filter media out - just wondering why i was told to do this?

11-13-2007, 11:09 PM	#8
Innovator Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,606	Filtration media is designed to either breakdown or trap wastes, thus ridding the main system of excess and decaying matter; therefore, if the media was not removed those wastes, now just sitting in your filter for a couple days, would be re-released into your main display with more potency. New chemical media is always advised after a mishap to accelerate water polishing.

11-15-2007, 01:22 PM	#9
JoshsReef Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Northern Kentucky Posts: 228	how would they be rerelased? wouldnt when i turn the filtration back on media would just start working again? Sorry I am a little confused. Just wondering if i should be turing the filters off too feed my fish or if that is also releasing toxins back into my system

11-16-2007, 09:48 AM	#10
tmkx3 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: houston,texas Posts: 211	If I am not mistaken I believe that if the filter media drys out the beneficial bacteria will die any way and all your left with Pardon the blunt ness decaying poop!!!! I would keep a close eye on your ammonia and other chemicals. I kinda made this mistake too but all I onplugged was my heater. I lost my coral beauty. My tangs were fine though. Good luck!!!