[Myka]

Like Doug, I have also been using the Kent Carbon for years. Sometimes poop happens.

In regards to what is going on now, it really does sound like the same symptoms as the contaminated carbon, but it "can't" be. Hmm...definitely keep with the plan on the waterchange. Fwiw, I keep a 65 gallon drum of RODI water and a 20 gallon tub of saltwater on hand all the time just in case of problems like this. Many times if there is something significant and bad going on in the tank a large waterchange can really help to alleviate the trouble.

Don't give up yet! Pretty much every experienced reefer on here has had a major setback at some time or another. In my first few years I had not one, but two tanks crash due to faulty heaters getting stuck on. I learned from the first experience to buy a better brand of heater. From the second experience I learned to use two small heaters rather than one big one. 15 years later I haven't cooked another tank (touch wood). The trouble is that there is often a lot of money tied up in these reef tanks (usually relative to a person's income). My best advice is "don't spend more than you can afford to lose". This is a hobby and therefore it is also a luxury that we don't need to spend money on. Decide on a budget and stick to it. The pressure will then be off your shoulders and you will be able to appreciate your tank more. I also advise to not bite off more than you can chew (like buying stags for example).