Ace25's 75G Build Thread

See, here is the problem, if I remove the rocks and corals (which are encrusted and gluing multiple rocks together) I will not only be breaking up my corals in the process, I will also be stirring up stuff in the rocks and I know I will never get them back the same way. I don't want to cause any more problems inside my tank than I am already dealing with.

As for the sand being an abrasive, the wrasses bury themselves in the sand and are perfectly fine every day, so I doubt it is really abrasive at all. If it was abrasive, wouldn't my glass be all scratched up from sand being under the mag float? The wrasses will already be buried in the sand when I do this job and the sand will still have water in it. Biggest worry is my potters angel really.. that is the one fish that will be on its side flopping around more than any other.

Normally, I would agree that plan on a job taking 10x longer than initally planned, but really, I can not see any reason this repair job would take more than 60 seconds. Literally pull off some tubing and the SCWD and slap in a pre-made T with tubing already measured to fit in its place. I just can't see what could go wrong with such a simple job.
 
If the photo I've got of your plumbing is correct, the SCWD is located in your return line from your sump. The returns are in the top of your tank along with the main line to the sump. If this in the case, you wouldn't need to drop the water level any more than than the fittings on the back of the tank. Maybe 6 inches or so. Fish and all but the top most corals would remain in enough water to swim and start wet.

Here's what you drew up for me some time back.

Plumbing.jpg
 
Man, Ace, I am sorry for your troubles. Hope all goes well. I would think that as long as you leave some water in the sand (enough to where it is still saturated) that it wouldn't be too abbrasive for the fish. I was looking at this thread last night and was amazed at your setup and your livestock. HOpe all goes well for ya.
 
Greg... Closed Loop, not return. The SCWD in that picture is now there again, but is going to the closed loop (bottom holes). That picture doesn't look anything like it looks now unfortunately.
 
Ace25 said:
See, here is the problem, if I remove the rocks and corals (which are encrusted and gluing multiple rocks together) I will not only be breaking up my corals in the process, I will also be stirring up stuff in the rocks and I know I will never get them back the same way. I don't want to cause any more problems inside my tank than I am already dealing with.

As for the sand being an abrasive, the wrasses bury themselves in the sand and are perfectly fine every day, so I doubt it is really abrasive at all. If it was abrasive, wouldn't my glass be all scratched up from sand being under the mag float? The wrasses will already be buried in the sand when I do this job and the sand will still have water in it. Biggest worry is my potters angel really.. that is the one fish that will be on its side flopping around more than any other.

Normally, I would agree that plan on a job taking 10x longer than initally planned, but really, I can not see any reason this repair job would take more than 60 seconds. Literally pull off some tubing and the SCWD and slap in a pre-made T with tubing already measured to fit in its place. I just can't see what could go wrong with such a simple job.
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I'm not sure if you've ever handled a fish that lives in the sand, but they have an extremely thick slime coating compared to a swimming fish. It's EXTREMELY thick, if you've ever had to physically handle them for any reason, the goop they leave behind on you, even if your hands are wet is disgusting. I would believe that protective coating is what keeps their bodies from being injured by the sand. You do get very tiny scratches from rocks in the mag float, they are very very hard to see, you will need to catch them in light just the right way to see them. Glass is so much harder than a fishes skin. I know all the extra work sucks, I don't blame you for being overwhelmed, but I would really just dedicate the time needed to getting your face (edit: Fish!!! Not Face LOL!!!) into a safe place while you do the repairs. Even if it means fragging up some coral, it's the sacrifice you have to make to do a repair! It sucks, but it'll be fixed and your tank will be ready to go for some time again. That's if you even need to drain it entirely like Greg is questioning. I hope for your sake you don't have to...that is a lot of water!
 
Ace25 said:
Greg... Closed Loop, not return. The SCWD in that picture is now there again, but is going to the closed loop (bottom holes). That picture doesn't look anything like it looks now unfortunately.
Click to expand...

I'm sure sorry to hear that. Maybe you should have left it the way it was in the photo. Why did you move it to the under sand or closed loop side? Maybe you could dig out enough sand to give the fish swimming room while you do the repair. You do have a problem. Sorry.
 
It is only about 60G of water, not bad at all. I did a 40G water change last night.

I just think that by removing the rocks, corals, and fish it will be 100x more stressful on the system than the other way. I mean if I can have a fish jump out, land on hardwood floor, roll around in cat hair for 10 minutes and still be fine 3 years later I just can't imagine 1 minute in wet sand being that stressful vs chasing fish around with a net, putting them in a container.. it will take me longer to catch 1 fish than it willl to repair the problem is my thinking.. really though.. I know what I should do.. I am just really not wanting to do it and hoping someone will give me the answer I want (I know.. not good thinking).

Ya, I could dig out a small part of the sand and make a "bowl" of water for some fish.. but that may lead to other problems (always told NEVER to stir up a DSB more than 1")
 
Is there any way you can plug the lines from the inside so as not to have to drain all that much water? OR is everything glued together? I don't think you are going to get the answer you are wanting. I don't think sand in the gills is any less stressful on the fish than catching them.

Here's the question: HOW BIG OF A GAMBLE ARE YOU WILLING TO TAKE TO SAVE YOUR TIME AND THE FISH'S LIVES?
 
The inside of the tank, the PVC frame is screwed into the bulkhead via threads so it can't be plugged on the inside because there are literally a hundred holes drilled in the PVC.

Anyone here ever been fishing? Ever catch a fish? Ever reel it in onto the beach and have it flop around while your grabbing for it? Then did you release it? I have many times and while I can't say for certain the fish did fine after, I can make a good bet they had no long term effects. Ya, a trout and a potter angel are very different, but still.. fish are pretty hardy out of water for a short period from my experience.. I have seen more fish die from people "re-aquascaping" and stirring up bad stuff than fish jumping out of a tank onto the floor and being put back in the tank.

Still.. just me trying to talk myself into it being the right course of action even though the logical part of me says everyone posting here is right.
 
Just a point of clarification most fish released have an exceptionally high mortality rate (and this is coming from a totally addicted fly fisherman who has fished all over the country). However, most of the deaths result from improper release methods (e.g., dry hands and wet fish), broken jaws (from holding the fish by the jaw like the a$#holes on television. While it is never a good idea to beach a fish I don't think that is the primary culprit in fish death following release. I think if there is still some water in the sand it will be alright... only time will tell.
 
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