Monday afternoon in Melbourne, the day before the big race. I’m at work in the office and decide to nic home early to prepare for a BBQ with friends on Cup day. I decided to do the shopping before I picked up the kids from childcare. With the shopping done and about an hour up my sleave before the kids run the show I thought I would get some life brine shrimp and a new globe for the tank from Mentone. Still time before the kids, I’ll take all the shopping home, install the new globe and enjoy the tank for a few minutes. I opened the front door, and if you have seen the insurance add, my first words were ‘this is not good, this is not for good”.

A stream of water from one end of the house to the other.I have a 4 foot mini reef system. The type where all the working of the tank a sandwiched between the back panel of the tank and an over flow wall. On inspection there is no flow in the tank, all livestock seems to be ok, temp still fine. No water in the ‘sump’ (about 35 litres on the floor).

OK, what do I do. First, I need a strong drink to help me think clearly, don’t panic. Ring mum ‘can you pick up the kids and keep them with you for as long as you can’. Second, I need another drink. What do I have in the shed which may help in this problem. Halve a tube of good quality silicone, two aluminium angle brackets, a sheet of 7mm glass and a good glass cutter.

Drained the last remaining consuming water out from the sump. Ran a generous bead of silicone in to the effect area. Siliconed the two brackets onto the corner from the tank. minimize an add-on frosted glass brace and siliconed it in place on the best from the tank holding the front, back again and facet panels together. At this point i experienced been self-confident (with merely a tiny many thanks to my 3rd drink) how the tank would preserve together. Now to acquire some flow back again in to the tank.

By making a temporary dam in halve from the sump I managed to acquire flow over the trickle filter. I moved the heater out from the sump and in to the tank. At this place the only problem not working could possibly be the necessary protein skimmer. By about 1am (8hours later) the tank is operating as normal. The exterior from the tank appears extremely ugly but its holding. No casualties (yet) – the huge amount of clean silicon even although in the tank may possibly have an effect inside the corals.

How do this happen? merely a tiny crab the dimension of the 5cent product can be to blame. I compassionately suit him even although in the sump, instead of the compost bin, almost three weeks ago. There is definitely nothing on this area from the sump other compared to heater, skimmer and also this CRAB (may he relaxation in peace). It appears as although he’d clawed at a area from the silicon seal in the direction of place especially where it has granted way.

So now I’m even although in the present market for just about any new tank. I’ll get identical set up as all my products is operating well. it experienced been fortunate which i experienced been in a location to create an emergency package deal inside the run with problems I experienced even although in the shed, however it raised an essential problem for me which i think ought for getting regarded as by all preserving any aquarium. You need an emergency plan. A box of assets that may possibly help on this type of situation. My box (a huge plastic material tub that could work getting a temporary tank) now has two tubes of silicone, some challenging plastic material sheet that may be minimize with an exceptional pair of scissors, tiny sheet of frosted glass and frosted glass cutter, spare heater and pump head, and two cans of bourbon. What else does it need? What have other people used that may possibly be of use in my box?