Yikes! ! Flooded Basement.

[blue_eyes53813]

Oh this is not the way to start out my Thurday Morning. My tank over flowed. A darn snail got into the over flow tube. I feel partly - well ok all reasponsible.

I have been working two jobs and dont have much time for the tank. I check on it daily and check it before I go to my night job at 5:00 pm. When I get home at midnight I havent been checking it to make sure all is ok. Before this night job I would check it 3-4 times a night and definitely before I go to bed. Well sometime between 5pm yesterday and 7 this morning the tank over flowed. I probably have about 40 gallons of water on my basement floor. Carpet and linoleum may be a loss. My boy friend happened to go to the basement this morning and found the mess.


And Guess what?????? I dont have any salt water mixed.. MAN I HAVE BEEN SLACKING. All livestock is doing good. The tank still has heat and flow. No worries there... Just a big mess.

Does anybody know what the least amount of time the new saltwater needs to mix before I can add it to the tank. I usually mix for 24 hours , But I may not have time ,this time.

[Saltwater Noob]

Humm I let mine mix in a bucket for about 45 min with a powerhead then put it in the tank.

[mempho reefer]

You should be OK to mix and add immediately Vicki as long as the amount you're adding does not exceed the amount still in the tank. I've done it before in emergency situations. It's always best to give it a good 24 hrs and bring it to tank temp but this one time shouldn't be a problem. Do monitor your salt level for the next 24 to 36 hr since the newly added water won't have the time to fully dissolve all the salt. Also make sure the temp of the water you're adding is not drastically different from the exisiting tank temp. If you're only adding 40 gal to a 265 then I don't think you're going to have any major problems.

[bluespotjawfish]

With the size of your system I think as long as you match parameters and the salt is mixed, you can run with it. I have done this with IO and Reef Crystals without any problem.

What kind of salt mix do you use?

[Frankie]

Yeah in an emergency I would say as soon as the salt in completely mixed and the salinity is consistent after a few times testing it. An hour should be fine. Your tank is large so i wouldn't worry to much about it. Do a quick saltwater top off and mix a fresh batch for when you get home tonight.
I would rent a carpet cleaner and try to use that before tossing the carpet. The sooner you get the water off the linoleum the better. It might not affect the glue.
Sorry for your troubles! Karma for a better day.

[Scouter Steve]

That sucks Vicki. Mix the salt in a dark container so you can see when it is clear. Yes it is best to mix for 24 hours. Sorry 'bout your damage. I am so lucky my sump is in an unfinnished basement. A Overflow just means wet concrete.

[Dentoid]

[deaclauderdale]

Karma to you.

[lcstorc]

Oh no!
I agree with the above. Mix until it is disolved and gives consistant readings and then add.

[BigAl07]

that SUCKS! No further advice to give but I AM gonna hit you with a small dose of KARMA just because you NEED it

Best wishes!!

Allen

[boozeman]

on the bright side no animals were lost. Vicki you should get a water leakage detector at lowes or home depot. They are inexpensive (around $10) and will sound an audible alarm if there is any (even if just a little) water on the floor around it.
btw, I read the title on the thread and my heart sank in sympathy as yesterday DEP notified me that the water main comming into my shop was leaking into the streat and was cause for basement flooding. I just had to hire a licensed water main contractor to tear up the street and sidewalk for repairs. Kissing $7k goodbye

[AQTCJAK]

Vicki use the highest power pump you have to mix it as everyone has said until it is clear hopefully the temp will match the tank as well.

[vdituri]

When you wetvac the carpet it wouldn't hurt to hit it with some warm FW to help dissolve the salts and get them out of the carpet.
Glad all the critters are well.
Sending Scrubbing bubble thoughts your way to help with the cleanup.

[blue_eyes53813]

Thanks all, For the karma and the replys.. I am still drying out.. I am definitely going to look into an alarm... That was my first thought when i saw the mess this morning... I do have a carpet shampooer and will see how much it can soak up/dilute. I am not sure how much damage has been done. I cranked up my dehumidifier and that usually does a good job drying things out... Thanks again..

[BigAl07]

Just remember the dehumidifier will pull the WATER out leaving the salt and everything else pretty well stuck. Get as much up as you can before running it. Just a thought.

Allen