Fish tank disaster!!

I feel you pain. I did the exact same thing about eight years ago.Lost a lot of books but was quick enough to save my Fathers log books. Water went straight through the ceiling and into the dining room and kitchen. I was not popular at home for some time to say the least. To anyone thinking of keeping fish please get a proper stand and the latest style “floating base” fish tank. For those who don’t know what that is. It is a tank that rests on the four sides only and the base does not touch the stand. I was far from sure about this at first but thats the new thing and it works!

Judging from the photo, I don’t think I can help, but if you post a list of the books, I’m sure we can probably come up with a few.

Just wish I had the photo to view. Post says there an attachment but nothing opens?????
Sorry to hear you’ve lost so much valuable info.

Hi all,

That’s really very kind of you all and very much appreciated.

Owen, I have replaced my version of ‘Down to earth’ already so no need to worry.
I managed to save about 30% of what was damaged after freezing the books and dealing with them one by one.
However, most were beyond the point of even trying to save which was a shame.

Needless to say the fish tank and book shelves are now far apart!!

Cheers all
Gerry

Best of luck Gerry.

Cheers,

Owen

This reminds me of handling a stack of house title deeds once which had been in mortgage to the old Woolwich Building Society at their head office during the War years. They were severely water damaged no doubt as a result of fire prevention following enemy action. Every page was still readable but they were extremely fragile and held together with what was probably one of the first uses of Sellotape.

Hi Andy,

I always fancy a pint!!:D and a catch up.
I haven’t been down your neck of the woods for ages due to work commitments etc but will try to come down soon.

I am in Cumbria next week with work but will email you when i get back and arrange a date.

Cheers

Gerry

Let me know if there are any I can replace.

When are you next down this way? Fancy a pint again?

Hi all,

That’s really very kind of you all and very much appreciated.

Owen, I have replaced my version of ‘Down to earth’ already so no need to worry.
I managed to save about 30% of what was damaged after freezing the books and dealing with them one by one.
However, most were beyond the point of even trying to save which was a shame.

Needless to say the fish tank and book shelves are now far apart!!

Cheers all
Gerry

That sucks, Gerry. Looking forward to your list and I’ll help if I can as I know how heartbroken I would be in such a circumstance.

Edit: a collection after my own heart. Was your copy of the McGlashan/Zupp Down To Earth a ‘special’ one?

What rotten luck.

If I can send you a copy of ‘Down to Earth’, please just PM me and I’ll organise for it to happen. (It may take a while to travel from Australia, but it will get there.:))

Cheers,

Owen

What stance do insurance companies take on such events ? Most likely would be happy to fork out a grand for a carpet or furniture, might event replace the damaged tank. Should be able to get some payment for the clean up.

Gerry. Try contacting your insurance company and see what they say, if you have a list get it priced, either via the Forum or searching Ebay or Amazon.

Good luck
Paul

Same thing happened to my B-i-L during the Northridge quake back in ’94…100gallon tank…. & on the shelves under it was his complete collection of mint Playboy magazines.

Mint condition Playboy magazines? How remarkably restrained of him 😀

Same thing happened to my B-i-L during the Northridge quake back in ’94…100gallon tank…. & on the shelves under it was his complete collection of mint Playboy magazines.

That sucks, Gerry. Looking forward to your list and I’ll help if I can as I know how heartbroken I would be in such a circumstance.

Edit: a collection after my own heart. Was your copy of the McGlashan/Zupp Down To Earth a ‘special’ one?

Judging from the photo, I don’t think I can help, but if you post a list of the books, I’m sure we can probably come up with a few.

Dear all,

I am touched.
What a generous bunch you are.
I will see how I get on with the now frozen books over the next few days.

My neighbours have offered to take a couple of books each and iron them for me. :0)

The real tragedy are the signed ones that have sentimental value, unfortunately in most cases these are ruined which is a real shame.

I am very grateful for your kind offers.

Gerry
ps Fish seem to be OK.

Yes, why don’t you list your books here and we’ll see what we can do to help? If I don’t need my copy and you need it I’ll gladly donate it. Good luck with this ‘fishy’ problem.

If there’s any of mine… or one’s I’ve produced, let me know, and I’ll see what I can do to replace em FOC apart from postage!

Really sorry to read that, Gerry. What a bummer.

However…..I can see at least four rather less-valuable books there that will be easy to replace. I am happy to do so with my compliments! 😉

Good to see you at Shoreham, yesterday.

Cheers all,

Just finished mopping up the room after todays event.

Cheers Newforest for your link, I will follow the advice and see what I can salvage.

Cheers for your assistance.

Gerry

It mentions freezing them so you can do them over time

Indeed freezing is the standard practice when dealing with a quantity of water damaged material which cannot be treated strait away. Do it quickly as mould appears really fast on damp paper, but remember to separate each item in the freezer (put each book in a freezer bag) so that they do not stick together, that way you can take them out one at a time and dry them out as time allows without the panic of trying to get everything dry now.

You have my sympathies! I keep all my books in the house, my Sherman lives in the shed, couldn’t really do it the other way round!