Anyone else, palytoxin related question, LFS?

[blecki]

Mine started off somewhat plain / dull but as they grew the green got More and more intense. And to make room for more polyps the existing ones kept getting taller. It’s a awesome coral

Feed it. They love to eat and it helps them grow faster. Mysis. Flake. Pellet. Those polyps will grab it like a Venus fly trap

I've got these and they are nearly the oldest coral in my tank, but for the last few years they don't really seem to have been interested in growing or spreading. They are about quarter sized.

 

[braaap]

Am I the only one who quit taking my kids to the LFS after learning about palytoxin?

Yes. I let my 4 year old help with his hands in the tank and don’t worry about it. Because the risk is virtually zero. I’m more worried about him riding his bike.

 

[twentyleagues]

This fear mongering has gotten so out of hand. Are Palys dangerous? Yes if you mishandle them (some of them). There are far more ways to get sick/die from your saltwater tank than palytoxin from palys. Certain strains of bacteria that could well more probably reside within your reef tank than possibly getting paly toxin poisoning from walking into an lfs. If you are this worried you really should not have a reef tank or really any other fish tank. Look up legionnaires disease it breeds really well in humid locations or water in the 70f range. I have said it before dont lick corals, were gloves if you handle them (all corals not just palys can have the toxin or really bad strains of bacteria) wear eye protection if fragging. Caution is good fear mongering is not.

 

[matt62950]

Am I the only one who quit taking my kids to the LFS after learning about palytoxin?

Lol

 

[gbroadbridge]

I am embarrassed and shocked by the pile on mentalities to the premise of the poster.
There's a nice way to address the concerns, and than there is the cheap shot bully mentality.
The topic is complicated, not everyone is versed in Polytoxin facts or antidotal experiences.
Come on hobbyists have the posters back!

I didn't see any comments of the type you mention.

Just straight forward and honest answers to the question.

Seems everyone wishes to be easily offended these days.

 

[Tahoe61]

I didn't see any comments of the type you mention.

Just straight forward and honest answers to the question.

Seems everyone wishes to be easily offended these days.

Why are you offended, I am not. :) Diplomacy is not a fault.

 

[Bitter old man]

I am embarrassed and shocked by the pile on mentalities to the premise of the poster.
There's a nice way to address the concerns, and than there is the cheap shot bully mentality.
The topic is complicated, not everyone is versed in Polytoxin facts or antidotal experiences.
Come on hobbyists have the posters back!

Sorry you feel that way. They asked a question and we answered.

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

This thread is killing me with my memories of growing up, bear in mind it was in the late 60's and 70's. I grew up out in the country with a career military dad. When I turned 12 my dad said "well your 12 now, so I got you a 12 gauge shotgun" Times have really changed. The palytoxin thing reminded me when my dad helped me build an outdoor enclosure to keep the rattle snakes in that we caught, until we cooked them up.

 

[Reefering1]

 

[Sump Crab]

This thread is killing me with my memories of growing up, bear in mind it was in the late 60's and 70's. I grew up out in the country with a career military dad. When I turned 12 my dad said "well your 12 now, so I got you a 12 gauge shotgun" Times have really changed. The palytoxin thing reminded me when my dad helped me build an outdoor enclosure to keep the rattle snakes in that we caught, until we cooked them up.

My kids have grown up hunting and fishing. Not concerned about those types of activities at all. Seems like I really struck a cord with ppl when it comes to palytoxin and kids tho lol.

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

My kids have grown up hunting and fishing. Not concerned about those types of activities at all. Seems like I really struck a cord with ppl when it comes to palytoxin and kids tho lol.

I hear ya, I remember taking my daughter outside when she was very young and did not want her to get in the yard and get dirty. then I came to my senses

 

[Reefer Matt]

Your kids your rules. No judgement from me, though I can offer my opinion if asked. Have a safe and Happy Holidays! :)

 

[exnisstech]

My kids have grown up hunting and fishing. Not concerned about those types of activities at all. Seems like I really struck a cord with ppl when it comes to palytoxin and kids tho lol.

I think its just that with internet the paly toxin thing has just been blown out of proportion and people that know better are probably getting tired of hearing the nonsense. If all the misinformation hadn't already been spread around you probably wouldn't have even though twice about it. Tis this day and age of misinformation and constant fear we live in.
Before anyone piles on I'm not saying paly toxin can't be dangerous but its lack of common sense that causes problems not the toxin. JMO

EDIT : OP I'm not saying you lack common sense. I think your a victim of the misinformation. Keep those kids outside hunting and fishing, they'll learn a lot more there than with they would with thier eyes glued to a device.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Am I the only one who quit taking my kids to the LFS after learning about palytoxin?

No need to be cautious although I commend your safety of kids as this toxin is a result of skin exposure after prolonged handling through cuts on hands or inhalation of coral dust, steam vapors or water droplets and aerosols while cleaning, separating, growing/propagating, collecting, transporting mechanically removing or eradicating over-growing corals by pouring boiling water on live rock as well as cleaning home marine aquariums.

 

[twentyleagues]

I think its just that with internet the paly toxin thing has just been blown out of proportion and people that know better are probably getting tired of hearing the nonsense. If all the misinformation hadn't already been spread around you probably wouldn't have even though twice about it. Tis this day and age of misinformation and constant fear we live in.
Before anyone piles on I'm not saying paly toxin can't be dangerous but its lack of common sense that causes problems not the toxin. JMO

EDIT : OP I'm not saying you lack common sense. I think your a victim of the misinformation. Keep those kids outside hunting and fishing, they'll learn a lot more there than with they would with thier eyes glued to a device.

This. This is my issue with threads like it. The pushing of the misinformation.

With hunting and firing of guns are you not worried about their possible inhalation of chemicals from the firing of a bullet? Not to mention the possibility of lead poisoning or other heavy metals from handling the bullets themselves.

What about automobiles? The combustion engine produces carbon monoxide which builds up in the human body and never leaves lowering your tolerance to it. Yet daily millions of people load up their kids in these devices getting stuck in traffic jams and parking in parking structures inhaling co the entire time. Walking down crowded city streets with these co creating monsters mere feet from you carbon monoxide is heavier than air so you are breathing it in when you are in proximity to a quantity of vehicles. Natural gas appliances in the home also create it. Have you checked your co detectors or do you have them? What about all the stores, malls that probably dont have these devices or you dont know the percentage of co in the air in those places?

There are so many things you could worry about. Its not a bad thing to be aware but dont add to the hysteria. Do be careful in this world, lots of things no one has fear mongered will kill you and pay attention and dont walk off the edge of this flat earth.

 

[kingranch2003]

My kid's involvement in the reefing hobby is what keeps it fresh and exciting to me. The lfs is a place of fun, excitement, and also learning. We don't put our hands in the tank, and they even have kid's section with things to entertain the children. I know that's not standard practice.

With that being said, as a father, if something made me uncomfortable around my children, I wouldn't think twice about avoiding it. Best of luck to your aquarium journey. Freshwater planted aquascapes are a fun and amazing hobby as well.
Zoas though...

 

[Matts170]

Am I the only one who quit taking my kids to the LFS after learning about palytoxin?

I wouldn’t say that they are too dangerous. I’ve been fragging them all day and have done many times before. They are safe all the time they are in the water and being left alone. It’s when it comes to remove unwanted zoas and Palys or reducing the size of colonies is when it can become a problem for people as they can be hard to remove they secrete toxins and slime to defend themselves and also when the main body or head is severely damaged. They will then release toxins that can then get onto your fingers if scrubbed it can become airborne in hot water it can become in the steam and vapour in the air that is when it is dangerous, so I suggest to most people it is easier to remove the whole rock they are on

 

[Sleeping Giant]

My kids are both real young and after reading the horror stories about palytoxin I just sort of thought to myself why even bother exposing a 25lb child to palytoxin in a LFS. Its like do i really trust the 16 year old kid fragging grandis minutes before i walk into the store lol?

I don't even keep zoas or palys any longer in my tank TBH.

As a side note to ppl suggesting that I may be some type of helicopter parent, I'm really not Lol. The palytoxin rabbit hole just freaked me out a bit.

It really does sound like your way too much of a helicopter parent. Unless your kids are handling or eating the zoas, I don't understand your issue at all

 

[littlefoxx]

My kids are both real young and after reading the horror stories about palytoxin I just sort of thought to myself why even bother exposing a 25lb child to palytoxin in a LFS. Its like do i really trust the 16 year old kid fragging grandis minutes before i walk into the store lol?

I don't even keep zoas or palys any longer in my tank TBH.

As a side note to ppl suggesting that I may be some type of helicopter parent, I'm really not Lol. The palytoxin rabbit hole just freaked me out a bit.

There was one dude on here who allegedly had a horrible experience with these and his entire family went to the hospital because of it. But honestly I wouldnt worry. Ive moved zoas with my bare hands and never had an issue. Im deathly allergic lionfish venom though but never had an issue with palys