Rapid random tank crash?? Nothing was added or changed. What changed?

[MnFish1]

when testing used equipment; my first test for safety, which rules out induced voltage:

— Take a bucket of saltwater, place by a GFCI
— Place pump/heater/etc in bucket
— plug a grounding probe into a GFCI
— Plug individual submerged gear into GFCI
— dip grounding probe into water bucket

If the GFCI trips; you know you have a very dangerous piece of gear on your hands!

Sorry I don't understand induced voltage is produced by the fields produced by equipment in salt water - it is not dangerous. Unless I'm not understanding exactly what you're saying - However - you do have a dangerous piece of equipment if what you say is happening. I don't want to hijack the thread with this topic - I mentioned it for other readers.

"Induced voltage is the most common type of voltage that flags when hobbyists test their aquariums, its often noticed by hobbyists putting their hands in the water then touching a metal object such as a metal stand or a light chassis/mount wires that have a route to earth. This allows the small induced voltage to discharge to earth straight away and they feel a small zap, at this point they feel that they have been electrocuted by faulty equipment but this isn't the case"

 

[tehtraveler]

Yah but the question is what could rapidly kill everything

Any lotions on her hands? That will take a tank out!

 

[MnFish1]

Any lotions on her hands? That will take a tank out!

it actually should not take a tank out - Unless its an extremely small tank - and fresh lotion.

 

[tehtraveler]

it actually should not take a tank out - Unless its an extremely small tank - and fresh lotion.

Actually it does along with perfumes, etc…

 

[MnFish1]

Actually it does along with perfumes, etc…

You're correct - it can, but generally should not. Killing a tank with the amount of lotion on a hand would depend on the size of the tank. as well as the type of lotion Generally lotions are pretty inert (there are other things on hands that can be problematic) -though some can have detergents and other more toxic ingredients - or as I said in very small tanks - but in a large tank - it is extremely unlikely to be an issue. It is a good thought though and coral may be more sensitive than fish.

 

[jsmkmavity]

I would do a copper test, as 1 penny can kill a vert large tankful of inverts and if any of the electrical equipment has a bad cord spot in the tank it can do the same thing. My second guess is with others here about voltage. Copper isnt the only hazard from pumps, powerheads, and heaters either but its the most likely IMO. The other possibility is an anemone in a powerhead that didnt get noticed can cause a wipeout but not always.

 

[jsmkmavity]

I also wondering if theres "any kids in the house"?

 

[Reefer Matt]

My guesses are someone put something in the tank, a dead sea apple, etc. or an electrical short.

 

[VintageReefer]

Do you have temperature logging? Could
There have been a temperature issue? Heater stuck on? Or heated failed to come on?

 

[UncommonSense]

Sorry I don't understand induced voltage is produced by the fields produced by equipment in salt water - it is not dangerous. Unless I'm not understanding exactly what you're saying - However - you do have a dangerous piece of equipment if what you say is happening. I don't want to hijack the thread with this topic - I mentioned it for other readers.

"Induced voltage is the most common type of voltage that flags when hobbyists test their aquariums, its often noticed by hobbyists putting their hands in the water then touching a metal object such as a metal stand or a light chassis/mount wires that have a route to earth. This allows the small induced voltage to discharge to earth straight away and they feel a small zap, at this point they feel that they have been electrocuted by faulty equipment but this isn't the case"

Ah yes; induced voltage acts quite like a static shock, and can also yield some very strange electrical multimeter readings, especially when you’re just dipping your positive probe into the water, or removing it!

The method I’m describing omits any questions from a multimeter and is simply to tell you if you have actual significant electrical current through the water!

In OP’s case; a means of testing any submerged electrical equipment on the system which isn’t already on a GfCI protected outlet… this is a method that can be used to find a genuinely dangerous piece of equipment without specialty tools!

 

[alindell]

Any lotions on her hands? That will take a tank out!

No she's better than me with washing her hands off

 

[alindell]

Do you have temperature logging? Could
There have been a temperature issue? Heater stuck on? Or heated failed to come on?

I already checked temp the last few days. Nothing out of the ordinary. There's no way. Temp would kill them that quick anyways. Unless it was an extreme temperature change

 

[alindell]

An overnight disaster can be the result of only a couple things. Typically equipment failure like heater failure or dosing machine overdosed extreme amount, pump failed, etc... they only other thing is something got into your water and completely destroyed the chemistry.

I know I thought that too. nothing failed though. Even if the heater turned off it wouldnt kill everything in like 12 hours. They would for sure be upset. Over heating could probably kill them but heater is not to blame as temp stayed around 77 the whole night. I have no idea what got into the water.

Do you think bacteria could do that in like 10 hours? The water change water only does about a gallon a day separated throughout the day

 

[Lavey29]

I know I thought that too. nothing failed though. Even if the heater turned off it wouldnt kill everything in like 12 hours. They would for sure be upset. Over heating could probably kill them but heater is not to blame as temp stayed around 77 the whole night. I have no idea what got into the water.

Do you think bacteria could do that in like 10 hours? The water change water only does about a gallon a day separated throughout the day

If a tank hazardous pollutant got into your display or in via your water change system it could start a chain reaction that wipes out everything. If you are sure no equipment failure and no natural poisoning from a dead nem, cucumber, etc... then it has to be a pollutant in your water chemistry.

 

[W31Olds]

Did you test the water in your replenishment system? You indicated it smelled off. That would be the first thing I would suspect.

 

[alindell]

Did you test the water in your replenishment system? You indicated it smelled off. That would be the first thing I would suspect.

Sent off a water test