Usually pay attention AFTER I say, "well, huh.... Wonder what that is/does/happened?"
Managing real reef risks: Do you pay attention to the dangers in your tank?
- QUESTION OF THE DAY
- Thread starter Peace River
- Start date
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The electricity is always something that I think about. What if a heater gets a touch of water and it can literally kill you on the spot.Managing real reef risks: Do you pay attention to the dangers in your tank?
Palytoxins, fish that sting, electricity and water, and many other dangers lurk in our reef tanks. Sometimes reef keepers pay careful attention to these risks and other times reef keepers hardly seem to take any precautions at all. What about you – do you pay attention to the dangers in your tank? Please tell us about your aquarium risk-based habits and feel free to share any best-practices with the R2R community!
Photo by @kruley
This QOTD is sponsored by: www.deltecdirectusa.com
“With dozens of protein skimmers, calcium reactors, media reactors and kalkwasser stirrers in operation, Deltec USA can speak from experience and help you with all your Deltec needs. Live customer support and a large inventory of products rounds out our mission to provide the best possible Deltec experience.”
I dont worry at all about palytoxin unless im cutting one.
Jay Hemdal
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I'm a lot more careful around my aquariums than I used to be. Here is some text I wrote about "Aquarium Safety" about 20 years ago. At some point, I'd like to update this. It may be TLDR for some folks, but I thought it might be helpful:
The safety of everyone who has contact with your aquarium(s) is of utmost importance. After that requirement is met, the animals themselves must be kept safe. The first consideration is that of the tank itself. Estimate that a fully filled aquarium will weigh in excess of 10 pounds for each gallon of its rated capacity. In every case, be certain that the stand you use to display the aquarium is sturdy enough to support its weight. Small aquariums actually have a safety issue that corresponds with their relatively lightweight – they are easily bumped, toppled or pushed off the stand. House cats have been known to knock small aquariums over – perhaps to feed on the fish? Young children are obviously going to get into mischief with an aquarium they can potentially pick up and walk around with. Any aquarium that has seams also has the potential to develop a leak. Small molded aquariums will not leak, but can be cracked by a sharp impact. Manufacturer warranties often exclude water damage to your home caused by such water leaks. Always be sure that your homeowners or renters insurance will cover any loss due to possible water damage.
All aquariums in homes with small children must also be securely covered; this includes any vats, buckets and tubs used to hold water for water changes. Every year there are tragic instances of children drowning in containers similar to these.
Electrical problems:
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. People have been killed working on aquariums when an electrical problem was present. Whenever possible, only choose aquarium equipment that has been approved by the Underwriters Laboratory, (UL listed).
If you drop a non-submersible pump, heater, or other electrical device into a tank, DO NOT REACH FOR IT, turn off the circuit breaker and unplug the item first.
Never defeat the three pronged ground on any plug used around water. Always use a ground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI) system for all your aquarium’s electrical devices.
Never work on an aquarium in bare feet, while standing in water or in wet shoes.
Should you see another person that has possibly been electrocuted, do not approach them to offer assistance until the electrical power to the area has been shut off.
Signs of live electricity in a tank include bubbles in the water, gray cloudy water, and sometimes a burnt odor. The fish will most likely appear fine (Because they are not grounded, they do not receive a shock). Turn off the electricity to the area before servicing the tank.
If you should get a slight shock from a tank, stop working, and resolve the problem at once. This sort of trouble may become more serious later on.
Dangerous Aquatic Animals:
In addition to the commonly known dangerous animals, many seemingly harmless animals can also cause injury to unwary people. To avoid this sort of safety issue, always keep people (especially children), separated from potentially dangerous animals.
Never start a siphon by mouth, there are diseases that can be transmitted to humans if they ingest aquarium water. The preferred method is to prime the siphon hose with water first, (perhaps with a water pump) then start the siphon by dropping the end of the hose into a bucket or drain.
Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling your aquarium animals, their water or any fresh fish foods.
The algae Caulerpa is reported to contain toxic alkaloid compounds. The zooanthid Palythoa, the coral Goniopora, and some other cnidarians (Anemones, corals, jellyfish and sea whips) contain extremely virulent toxins; do to ingest any of these species. In fact, due to these and other problems such as bacterial contamination, never place anything in your mouth that has been in contact with your aquarium’s water.
Fire worms are 1 to 2 inch long annelid worms that commonly live in marine aquarium gravel. Contact with their sharp spines results in a mild form of dermatitis. Prevention is the same as for avoiding anemone stings.
Cone shells have a long dart known as a radula, which they use to inject venom. These must only be handled with tongs.
A bite from a Blue ring octopus can be lethal. They make poor display animals, are short-lived and there is no antivenin available. Avoid this species.
Chemical Handling:
Many potentially dangerous chemicals are used in and around aquariums. It is surprising how many toxic chemicals can be purchased by anyone at his or her local pet store. Proper handling of any of these products is of course, very important.
When using a pipette to measure small volumes of a medication, never use your mouth to suck the fluid up into the tube, use a pipette bulb.
Formalin is commonly used as a fish medication. It is extremely toxic to humans whether inhaled, ingested, or exposed to the skin. It is best, when working with formalin, to use the smallest volume possible. That way, if a spill does occur, the effect will be minimized.
Test kit reagents are generally safe, because the chemical amounts that they use are so small, but always play it safe and wear gloves and eye protection.
With all medications, avoid contact with fish feeds or feeding equipment. All chemicals must be properly labeled. Keep all medications and other aquarium chemicals locked up when not in use.
Aquarium Safety issues
The safety of everyone who has contact with your aquarium(s) is of utmost importance. After that requirement is met, the animals themselves must be kept safe. The first consideration is that of the tank itself. Estimate that a fully filled aquarium will weigh in excess of 10 pounds for each gallon of its rated capacity. In every case, be certain that the stand you use to display the aquarium is sturdy enough to support its weight. Small aquariums actually have a safety issue that corresponds with their relatively lightweight – they are easily bumped, toppled or pushed off the stand. House cats have been known to knock small aquariums over – perhaps to feed on the fish? Young children are obviously going to get into mischief with an aquarium they can potentially pick up and walk around with. Any aquarium that has seams also has the potential to develop a leak. Small molded aquariums will not leak, but can be cracked by a sharp impact. Manufacturer warranties often exclude water damage to your home caused by such water leaks. Always be sure that your homeowners or renters insurance will cover any loss due to possible water damage.
All aquariums in homes with small children must also be securely covered; this includes any vats, buckets and tubs used to hold water for water changes. Every year there are tragic instances of children drowning in containers similar to these.
Electrical problems:
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. People have been killed working on aquariums when an electrical problem was present. Whenever possible, only choose aquarium equipment that has been approved by the Underwriters Laboratory, (UL listed).
If you drop a non-submersible pump, heater, or other electrical device into a tank, DO NOT REACH FOR IT, turn off the circuit breaker and unplug the item first.
Never defeat the three pronged ground on any plug used around water. Always use a ground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI) system for all your aquarium’s electrical devices.
Never work on an aquarium in bare feet, while standing in water or in wet shoes.
Should you see another person that has possibly been electrocuted, do not approach them to offer assistance until the electrical power to the area has been shut off.
Signs of live electricity in a tank include bubbles in the water, gray cloudy water, and sometimes a burnt odor. The fish will most likely appear fine (Because they are not grounded, they do not receive a shock). Turn off the electricity to the area before servicing the tank.
If you should get a slight shock from a tank, stop working, and resolve the problem at once. This sort of trouble may become more serious later on.
Dangerous Aquatic Animals:
In addition to the commonly known dangerous animals, many seemingly harmless animals can also cause injury to unwary people. To avoid this sort of safety issue, always keep people (especially children), separated from potentially dangerous animals.
Never start a siphon by mouth, there are diseases that can be transmitted to humans if they ingest aquarium water. The preferred method is to prime the siphon hose with water first, (perhaps with a water pump) then start the siphon by dropping the end of the hose into a bucket or drain.
Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling your aquarium animals, their water or any fresh fish foods.
The algae Caulerpa is reported to contain toxic alkaloid compounds. The zooanthid Palythoa, the coral Goniopora, and some other cnidarians (Anemones, corals, jellyfish and sea whips) contain extremely virulent toxins; do to ingest any of these species. In fact, due to these and other problems such as bacterial contamination, never place anything in your mouth that has been in contact with your aquarium’s water.
Fire worms are 1 to 2 inch long annelid worms that commonly live in marine aquarium gravel. Contact with their sharp spines results in a mild form of dermatitis. Prevention is the same as for avoiding anemone stings.
Cone shells have a long dart known as a radula, which they use to inject venom. These must only be handled with tongs.
A bite from a Blue ring octopus can be lethal. They make poor display animals, are short-lived and there is no antivenin available. Avoid this species.
Chemical Handling:
Many potentially dangerous chemicals are used in and around aquariums. It is surprising how many toxic chemicals can be purchased by anyone at his or her local pet store. Proper handling of any of these products is of course, very important.
When using a pipette to measure small volumes of a medication, never use your mouth to suck the fluid up into the tube, use a pipette bulb.
Formalin is commonly used as a fish medication. It is extremely toxic to humans whether inhaled, ingested, or exposed to the skin. It is best, when working with formalin, to use the smallest volume possible. That way, if a spill does occur, the effect will be minimized.
Test kit reagents are generally safe, because the chemical amounts that they use are so small, but always play it safe and wear gloves and eye protection.
With all medications, avoid contact with fish feeds or feeding equipment. All chemicals must be properly labeled. Keep all medications and other aquarium chemicals locked up when not in use.
randomfishdude
Valuable Member
I put a zoanthid up my nose once.
Buy what? I tried to look at your posts... But you can keep that carpet!
My seams and seams and seams and seams and more seams. Oh and seams.Managing real reef risks: Do you pay attention to the dangers in your tank?
Palytoxins, fish that sting, electricity and water, and many other dangers lurk in our reef tanks. Sometimes reef keepers pay careful attention to these risks and other times reef keepers hardly seem to take any precautions at all. What about you – do you pay attention to the dangers in your tank? Please tell us about your aquarium risk-based habits and feel free to share any best-practices with the R2R community!
Photo by @kruley
This QOTD is sponsored by: www.deltecdirectusa.com
“With dozens of protein skimmers, calcium reactors, media reactors and kalkwasser stirrers in operation, Deltec USA can speak from experience and help you with all your Deltec needs. Live customer support and a large inventory of products rounds out our mission to provide the best possible Deltec experience.”
I've flooded the house TWICE.. I hear ya! (Once was the washing machine. Once was a SEAM)
I literally have nightmares about that after seeing a BRS video on chaeto...
Reefing_addiction
It’s my TANK and I want it NOW!
This made me laugh and realize I’m the same way.My precautions are to wash my hands before and after. I pluck palys with my finger nails. Bright green, brown, grandis I pluck them all. I don't eat them and I wash my hands when I'm done being sure not to touch any part of my face. I have never been able work with gloves on so I never wear them. If I was as scared of my tanks as some folks seem to be I just wouldn't have them. That said I have a high tolerance for risk and am not overly cautious when it comes to my own safety. Just the way I've always been. My actions are not a recommendation
EDIT: I do try to use normal precautions around electricity but am not always succesful
No licking my fingers after they have been in the tank.
Don’t eat the corals. I have fragged plenty of zoas and palys. Try my best not to cut into the stem - cuz getting squirted isnt the goal. If I have to I angle the coral away from my face.
Dont splash the electrical sockets with water- which is 100% why my outlets are in a storage area to the right of the tank. Although sometimes I have to dry off a plug before plugging it in.
Try not to drink too much water when starting a siphon- eh sometimes it happens.
All this and I have seen what lives in the water under a microscope.
Building my tolerance day by day! I have 2 cats and 3 dogs - I work in a ware house. I have cuts and stuff on my arms and hand….just wash well after getting them wet from the tank….or if they look funny through one of those bandaids that pull stuff out of cuts….i think they are hydrocolloids bandaids…. 1 day wearing those and cuts heal up nicely.
Like Exnisstech said I am not overly cautious about risk to myself …more cautious about risk to corals and fish….im probably more the type to push my luck than not….
I don’t let the dogs lick stuff that falls on the ground from the tank. I do have one weirdo cat who likes to lick the water off my arm and another who always taste the water.
Fun stuff…
Reefing_addiction
It’s my TANK and I want it NOW!
lol PPE flip flops ….im general bare foot once im home. Even walking in and out of the garage while I was breaking rocks up to glue them back together….should have worn sandals those little pieces of rock had me cursing lol
Reefing_addiction
It’s my TANK and I want it NOW!
Man if I tried not to touch one I would never put my hands in the tank lol
I don’t go grabbing my chateo with my bare hands but that’s only cuz the tongs work better to shake it all about!
Reefing_addiction
It’s my TANK and I want it NOW!
Now that’s one thing I won’t touch…saw what it did to my dads fingers when we had one growing up and I use those fingers daily!!!! Granted he was normally better about not touching it UNTIL the mad dash to save the stuff in the tank cuz it sprung a leak……
Reefing_addiction
It’s my TANK and I want it NOW!
If I touch it will it hurt….hmmm let’s find out!!!! Yup…sounds about right…I do it.
Reefing_addiction
It’s my TANK and I want it NOW!
That I am sure is a OSHA violation due to a slipping potential….i try to remember to throw down a towel when working on the tank….and sometimes half way through I’m really for the BF to bring me a towel cuz ooops
Reefing_addiction
It’s my TANK and I want it NOW!
Did it smell good?
randomfishdude
Valuable Member
Not really. It burned really really bad until everything went dark.
Reefing_addiction
It’s my TANK and I want it NOW!
Did you learn anything from the experience
randomfishdude
Valuable Member
That if you put a zoanthid up your nose you will wake up to god calling you a dumb butt.
