Accidental Poisoning....Just a Word of Caution.

[M.Dandaneau]

Well, after 50 years in the hobby, I did it again.

While working on a small art project, I was using spray polyurithane varnish about 15 feet outside the back door and, without thinking, left the door open, as I was only there a minute or two.

That night, I happened to look at my wife's 25 gal. hex tank and saw the yellowhead jawfish and a brilliant green brittle star laying dead on the bottom, with my juvenile green dragon/seaweed wrasse and the 3 mollies in severe distress as well.

Yep....the wind had blown enough over spray back in the door to settle on the water's surface and poison the tank, even though it is completely covered, with the only opening for the power filter water return, about 3" in all.

A hasty 10 gal. water change saved everything else, but I'm posting this just for those who occasionally lose an entire tank "for no reason", as often the culprit is insectisides (one of the deadliest poisons going), air/ carpet fresheners and other household clkeaning chemicals...........often just a drop is sufficient to kill an entire smaller tank in a surprisingly short time.

Mike

[Flame*Angel]

Wow, thanks for the heads up. I have an 8' stand that I need to seal. It's about 10' from my reef. I was going to use Behr Super Spar varnish (marine). I would just be applying with a brush, no spray.

Can this be safely done?

[M.Dandaneau]

Probably....in this case, it was the actual wind blown varnish that managed to get into the water, the worst case scenario where poisoning is involved, but concentrated fumes can have the sane effect.

Try to make sure you have adequate ventilation, and, if possible, do the area nearest any pumps last.

Mike

[JDM130]

Hey Susan,

I would be carefull if you have a skimmer on the tank that uses a venturi, beckett, or any other type of skimmer that sucks air in. I don't know how harmfull the fumes can be, but this is a great way of pumping the fumes directly in to the water. Just something to think about.

Mike, sorry for your loss.

Jeff

[steve bowman]

mike sorry to hear of your wife's loss. that is somthing we all need to be aware of, especially with warmer weather coming on. good thing you looked in on tank when you did. steve

[Flame*Angel]

Ok, sump room with skimmer and all is in the basement. The tank is enclosed so with good ventilation I should be ok.

Mike - hope that your wife's tank is settling out ok now. That must have been awful.