Had my first "emergency" today!

[Philipgonzales3]

First off I am cycling my aquarium still and don't have any livestock yet. At least this happened now vs. later.

So I thought it would be a great idea to add this $4.99 light from harbor frieght under my stand.

I added it yesterday. It had some sticky Velcro that I thought looked pretty solid. You can guess what happened next.



I come home today to this...



Looks like my filter sock got a lot of it.



I wiped up the bottom of the sump. I couldn't help but lightly clean the rocks off with a small towel. I tried to do it lightly, only in small areas, and not to keep any of the rocks out of the water more than a couple of minutes. At this point I am OK if I killed off most of the benifical bacteria. :-(.

I rearranged the rocks because I figured might as well. Not sure if I like it better or not.

I also added 200ml of Red Sea Carbon, added some polyfil and a sponge. I haven't done any water changes yet. Do you reckon I should? It's a 50 gallon aquarium if that matters.

 

[garbled]

Battery acid is not a good thing... I would be less concerned about your bacteria, and more concerned about the heavy metals it might have put in the water...

You have no life yet, so I would do at least a 100% water change, maybe scrub and rinse the rocks, pull out those ceramic rings and rinse them like crazy in ro/di.

If this is meant to be a reef, you might just think about starting over and rinsing everything heavily in ro/di with some soaking. You do not want some horrid poison sitting in there and killing everything you put in 3 months from now..

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Battery acid is not a good thing... I would be less concerned about your bacteria, and more concerned about the heavy metals it might have put in the water...

You have no life yet, so I would do at least a 100% water change, maybe scrub and rinse the rocks, pull out those ceramic rings and rinse them like crazy in ro/di.

If this is meant to be a reef, you might just think about starting over and rinsing everything heavily in ro/di with some soaking. You do not want some horrid poison sitting in there and killing everything you put in 3 months from now..

There is no "battery acid" in alkaline batteries. Here are a couple of posts that I found. Looks like I'm not the first to have this happen.

"...Battery Acid" is sulfuric acid and these days is used only in things like car batteries...
Alkaline batteries contain zinc, manganese dioxide, and potassium hydroxide. None of these are as big of a concern as copper is from the corroding wires, but they may be present in substantially higher concentrations if the interior of the battery was dissolving into the water."

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2130271

"I'm guessing that it was an alkaline battery that fell into the tank. The saltwater environment probably caused a rapid discharge of the battery, leading to a case rupture. The primary components in alkaline battery chemistry are zinc, manganese dioxide, carbon and potassium hydroxide. Your biggest threat, I think, would be from the possible release of zinc in your system. A poly-filter may be your best bet to remove this component, though how effective it will be is up for debate. At higher zinc levels, you'll find that a poly-filter will be more effective than at low, trace levels. In addition, you're likely to need GAC (carbon) as well to deal with any organics that might be released from livestock due to the presence of high zinc levels.



There's also the possibility that, during battery discharge, that salt water was electrolyzed to release a bit of chlorine and hydrogen gas. Given the high reactivity of chlorine, I suspect that it was quickly reabsorbed in the system.



Poly-filter + GAC, I think, is the way you want to go."

https://wamas.org/forums/topic/35067-hhhhellpppp-battery-fell-in-tank/

 

[Philipgonzales3]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1665413

Doesn't seem like it is too serious. I was going to do a FOWLR tank but thinking I will eventually want to try corals like a year down the road. Anyone else think I should start over? Or am I OK with carbon, polyfil, and water changes?

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

I'm kinda with @garbled - you have nothing in the tank, it looks almost sterile, you're not concerned about the bacteria. . . it's not that bad of an idea to drain the sump and clean thoroughly, rinse the rocks, replace the media, and replace the water. If nothing else, replace the media and 100% water change. Why chance things when you are at this early a stage?

Rock work looks good, BTW.

 

[KrisReef]

To get to the filter sock, the orange surprise had to be released in the sump, dissolved into the water, pumped up into the main display and after moving around in your main display some of the orange agent went into the overflow where it cascaded down the drain into the filter sock. I presume that the Harbor Freight fixture originated in a manufacturing process in China where the materials that went into the batteries and wires were assembled together and shipped across the ocean to you with an apparently failsafe velcro installation. I would not let your second mistake be assuming that whatever was in that fixture and now in your tank will not be detrimental to the long-term health of the aquarium system.
Sorry this happened to you. I agree with the earlier suggestions summarised by Sierra_Bravo. It seems like a fairly simple drain, rinse and refill would increase your long-term chances of success and happiness with your new set up.

I like the rock work too, but I the plastic ornament makes me nervous.

 

[Sarah24!]

Hello,

Ask any reefer what happens if copper is released into their coral reef, or if their rocks leach copper? If you get marine ick most treat it with copper and in a separate qt tank aside from the reef.

As @Philipgonzales3 these batteries and wires have copper in them. It’s now soaked into the rocks and will leach copper. Look up the half life of copper and that’s how many years it will leach basically.

If I have to be the one who says bad news so be it. :( I would drain your tank, clean it and rinse it. I honestly wouldn’t even use the sand or rocks, but that’s me. Those rocks are poros, so they have sucked that copper up like a sponge. As others have stated, easier to start over now, then 6 months and it has killed live stock.

You are correct about the sulfuric acid, but the copper is just as bad. Plus, if it’s at a certain level it will kill fish even, which the make a Hannah checker for. If your not doing a reef then, I’d double check the system with a Hannah checker for copper. But even then what other materials have been leached into the system?

I’m super sorry this has happened, if you want a light, I’d either Silicon that so it would never move. The only way to get rid of the light, means it goes with whatever it’s attached to. You could also attach one but again place it in a better spot. So if it falls or you assume it will fall to be safe, let it fall and not worry it landing in water.

My sump light, I used red thread lock on the screws for the light and mount. It’s kinda there forever, or I will have to find a way to hack saw it off :).

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Ok, I lied. I do care about the bb. They are my only inhabitants so far if I didn't kill them off. We,ve becomme somewhat attached. I'm thinking once I get my QT tank cycled I can then start replacing sand and media in the DT. I can have some bio rings in the DT to help me seed the then sterile tank. IDK...just throwing out ideas right now. I did do a 15 gallon water change because that's what I had made up already. I'm just trying to think of ways I can do this where it is not a total wash. Sorry for being difficult it's just hard to hear the advice on what's best. It's hard not to wonder that everything will likely be fine if I do daily water changes. Weekly carbon dosing, slowly replacing media, etc... but I don't know that may be illogical if this works anything like a virus outbreak.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

To get to the filter sock, the orange surprise had to be released in the sump, dissolved into the water, pumped up into the main display and after moving around in your main display some of the orange agent went into the overflow where it cascaded down the drain into the filter sock. I presume that the Harbor Freight fixture originated in a manufacturing process in China where the materials that went into the batteries and wires were assembled together and shipped across the ocean to you with an apparently failsafe velcro installation. I would not let your second mistake be assuming that whatever was in that fixture and now in your tank will not be detrimental to the long-term health of the aquarium system.
Sorry this happened to you. I agree with the earlier suggestions summarised by Sierra_Bravo. It seems like a fairly simple drain, rinse and refill would increase your long-term chances of success and happiness with your new set up.

I like the rock work too, but I the plastic ornament makes me nervous.

It says it's silicone and made for aquariums. It's from DrFosterSmith. Should I Chuck it?

 

[KrisReef]

No, Keep it. Those things are bulletproof! LoL, it's just a bit bright for my taste- but it should be fine after you rinse it off. Again, sorry about the oops. Stuff happens. How we respond is what makes the future brighter. GL

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

Ok, I lied. I do care about the bb. They are my only inhabitants so far if I didn't kill them off. We,ve becomme somewhat attached. I'm thinking once I get my QT tank cycled I can then start replacing sand and media in the DT. I can have some bio rings in the DT to help me seed the then sterile tank. IDK...just throwing out ideas right now. I did do a 15 gallon water change because that's what I had made up already. I'm just trying to think of ways I can do this where it is not a total wash. Sorry for being difficult it's just hard to hear the advice on what's best. It's hard not to wonder that everything will likely be fine if I do daily water changes. Weekly carbon dosing, slowly replacing media, etc... but I don't know that may be illogical if this works anything like a virus outbreak.

Don't take this harshly, it's certainly not meant that way, but you asked for advice, several people have told you what they really think needs to be done, and yet you seem reluctant and wanting to do your own thing anyway (sounds like my teenage kid :p) . Not hard to hear the advice - everyone is saying the same thing! :D

If you like your plan, go with it. I'd at least get a Triton test before I put any expensive animals/corals in there, though. Good luck and give an update later so we know it worked out. No more velcro!

 

[ReeferReefer]

+1 on doing an icp test before adding livestock.

 

[Captain Quint]

@Philipgonzales3 welcome to R2R! Your tank, aquascaping, plumbing look incredible and you have done well.

As far as the fubar goes stuff as this has happened to all of us. To err on the side of caution is what is being solid advice imparted to you because we all support you and want you to thrive and not suffer later down the line. No info is meant to upset you.

Several of us have learned the hard way and we try to make it easier for newcomers which is why you're reading spot on advice.

Now would be an excellent time to do a restart and not have to have anguish at a later date.

The silicone anemone you have as a prop will eventually disintegrate in the saltwater and I suggest you remove it before it does have an effect on your system.

Again we are glad you're here and please keep progress pics coming. :)

~cheers!

 

[JasonK84]

@Captain Quint
Why do you say the silicon anemone will eventually dissentigrate in saltwater? Silicone is used on all glass aquariums in their construction.

I was considering getting one for some clowns one day in my tank since the real thing would be trigger lunch.

Oh, probably best to start fresh now. Maybe everything is fine but it's like rolling the dice! Since it's so early on in the process it would be wise.

 

[Captain Quint]

@Captain Quint
Why do you say the silicon anemone will eventually dissentigrate in saltwater? Silicone is used on all glass aquariums in their construction.

I was considering getting one for some clowns one day in my tank since the real thing would be trigger lunch.

Oh, probably best to start fresh now. Maybe everything is fine but it's like rolling the dice! Since it's so early on in the process it would be wise.

My 25-year-old daughter put one in her 180g and it disintegrated after about 2 or 3 weeks. She saw it on Amazon and like the color of it. lol

EDIT***Perhaps I should have written may disintegrate since it was not mine but I did notice it and she removed it. It was falling apart.

 

[JasonK84]

My 25-year-old daughter put one in her 180g and it disintegrated after about 2 or 3 weeks. She saw it on Amazon and like the color of it. lol

EDIT***Perhaps I should have written may disintegrate since it was not mine but I did notice it and she removed it. It was falling apart.

Something I will have to look into before trying. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Thanks for the advise everyone. I take no offense to anything anyone has said as I understand you are really just giving me the best advice. I'll get the ICP test done. I'm going to sound like a big you know what heat but I am pretty confident that carbon and water changes will take care of the heavy metals. I shook off my media in tank water very well and my biomedia was still almost purely white. Also sifted a layer of sand and everything looks good to me. I know I can't possibly simply see water quality as that would be impossible. Please no one hate me but like I said from what I've read from other posts I am not that concerned. I will report back my results over the next few months. I do really appreciate the input and I know what you guys and gals are telling me is logical.

 

[Captain Quint]

My 25-year-old daughter put one in her 180g and it disintegrated after about 2 or 3 weeks. She saw it on Amazon and like the color of it.

Thanks for the advise everyone. I take no offense to anything anyone has said as I understand you are really just giving me the best advice. I'll get the ICP test done. I'm going to sound like a big you know what heat but I am pretty confident that carbon and water changes will take care of the heavy metals. I shook off my media in tank water very well and my biomedia was still almost purely white. Also sifted a layer of sand and everything looks good to me. I know I can't possibly simply see water quality as that would be impossible. Please no one hate me but like I said from what I've read from other posts I am not that concerned. I will report back my results over the next few months. I do really appreciate the input and I know what you guys and gals are telling me is logical.

No one hates you nor will. :) In fact, we like you and we do what works for us and we don't all have to agree on everything for sure. lol. The thing is when you try a different approach it could be brilliant. You could share and teach us something new.

That's the beauty of our hobby my friend.

 

[garbled]

Nobody will hate you for going your own way. If you are going to keep it as is, then my advice would be continue to do whatever course of action you feel will bring it into safety, do so for a few weeks, stop, wait a week or two, and then do the ICP test. This will tell you if you were effective. If the rocks have absorbed something you will know by the fact it leeched back into the water and the test will pick it up. I'd say the thing to really watch for in the test would be copper and zinc, both of which are basically poison.

My, and likely others here's advice is based on personal experience. In the past, many of my tank mistakes that have cost me dearly, were a direct consequence of me wanting the tank running sooner rather than later. "Oh, this part isn't right, but I can bodge it". But don't take it as an attack, we all just want you to have a healthy tank, and we don't all know everything about everything, so it's possible we could be wrong. Do your own best course of action.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Nobody will hate you for going your own way. If you are going to keep it as is, then my advice would be continue to do whatever course of action you feel will bring it into safety, do so for a few weeks, stop, wait a week or two, and then do the ICP test. This will tell you if you were effective. If the rocks have absorbed something you will know by the fact it leeched back into the water and the test will pick it up. I'd say the thing to really watch for in the test would be copper and zinc, both of which are basically poison.

My, and likely others here's advice is based on personal experience. In the past, many of my tank mistakes that have cost me dearly, were a direct consequence of me wanting the tank running sooner rather than later. "Oh, this part isn't right, but I can bodge it". But don't take it as an attack, we all just want you to have a healthy tank, and we don't all know everything about everything, so it's possible we could be wrong. Do your own best course of action.

Sweet, that's exactly what I plan to do. It seems like there can sometimes be some variance in the ICP testing or sometimes unexpected results so hopefully I get back numbers that make sense. Just briefly looking at it I am thinking of trying https://www.icp-analysis.com for price and speed.