|
Unexplained
Fish Deaths - A "Shocking" Problem
One day a
customer reported to me their new fish purchase had
jumped out of their tank over night only to be found dried &
dead on their floor. Several fish before had jumped &
or mysteriously died in the tank. Some had been
in the tank for months or longer. Some corals were
looking bad/irritated. Some had died. We were baffled.
All water parameters were perfect, everything about the tank
inhabitants & water quality were right on the mark...so what
was the cause?
It wasn't until
I received an e-mail from their daughter that the light came
on. The daughter also had a reef tank. She
stated in her message that she wondered why when they put
their hands in her Mom's tank they felt stinging in
cuts/hang-nails on their hands yet when they put their hands
in her tank there was no stinging? ELECTRICITY!!
They were getting stung with stray electrical current in
Mom's tank!! The culprit was a small battery operated
digital thermometer (purchased elsewhere ;). Once
removed Mom's corals opened up & to date, no lost fish!
This scenario
could have been allot worse. Our reef systems are
loaded with submersed electrical equipment.
Powerheads, heaters, pumps, lights, all things that can fail
& send electricity into the tank. Not only is this
detrimental to our beloved livestock but more importantly
it's a risk to our lives! Check your tank for stray
voltage using a volt meter. Radio Shack & other stores
carry inexpensive, easy to use units. Test your water
monthly & save a life...possibly yours!
|
Shop
For:
