Cleaning near a fish tank

[kyleinpdx]

So...a coral died. Of course, my husband says it’s my fault. However, that coral wasn’t looking too healthy. He had recently fragged off quite a bit of it to give to a friend. Can fragging kill a coral? Did my mopping really kill it?

Either case, guess my mopping days are over because my husband is feeling awfully smug that he proved his point, although he’s not happy about the coral. He gained a greater victory, proving me wrong. ;Shifty

Why did you have to die coral? Why?? ;Sorry Anyway, he plans to get it back from the friend he fragged it out to once he grows it out more, though he’ll have to wait awhile.

There are a thousand reasons a frag can die, being messed with is certainly up there on the list, but many of us have corals that will STN/RTN (sudden tissue necrosis/rapid tissue necrosis) if we look at them the wrong way.

You can both point the finger at each other or you could put the dispute to bed by sending off a water sample for ICP testing. Something like this or this if there was anything in the water to kill that coral, it should show up in there. Its not so much about someone being right and the other wrong, more so one less thing to resent each other over.

 

[idkreefing]

Yes. Fragging can kill a coral. If done incorrectly the coral could get an infection, and die pretty quickly. That is why most wil immediately dip their corals after fragging to decrease the likelihood of the coral getting an infection from essentially being cut in two. Or more.

Even then, dipping would only lessen the chance of infection, and a very sensitive coral could still wind up getting an infection and dying anyway.

What type of coral was it?

It was a golden torch, and he fragged it in water. I doubt he dipped it after as it’s attached. I noticed yesterday some sliminess (?) from I’m assuming the two branches or so he had fragged

So the conversation went something like:

H: Oh no! ;Jawdrop My golden torch died.
M: What?!? ;Wideyed..........(in shock) Did you kill it?
H: What??? :mad: Why would I do that? Stop being ridiculous.

(After a few minutes of sitting in silence)
M: ;Shy I don’t think my mopping killed it.
H: I’m not mad at you. We already fought about this yesterday. It was fine yesterday.;Sour
M: But it wasn’t actually looking very healthy. I think it was doing poorly. Looking at this picture from a month ago and then this one from yesterday ;Sorry (yes, I took pictures just in case)
H: That’s because I recently fragged it out to a friend. ;Bored
M: ;Meh Are you sure that’s not what really did it? That could have been traumatic. It wasn’t looking happy and was probably already dying. It just so happened to die last night. ;Shy
H: ;Rage You don’t know anything. Stop being so stubborn and admit this is one area that I know much more than you.
M: I’m just saying it could have been the fragging. I doubt it died from mopping.
H: ;Punch You don’t know what you’re talking about! I’m an expert at fragging and know what I’m doing. It has nothing to do with that! I only cut off the branching pieces. It was healthy and fine. Coral fragging is actually good for propagation. (...then some fish lingo I didn’t understand).
M: But look, all your other corals are fine! The same one in this other tank.
H: That’s because last time you mopped I did a water change and carbon filtration. I don’t usually run that stuff because it’s expensive to maintain (...coral jargon). I should have done it for this tank but I was so mad at you yesterday.
M: But it didn’t die in the other tank yesterday...
...........
...........
M: I didn’t kill your coral from mopping...;Shy

A few minutes later:
M: I’m sorry I killed your coral. ;Sorry
H: I wasn’t mad at you, but now I am upset at our conversation and what you insinuated. I need to go clear my head. ;Shifty

Saltwater aquariums create so much drama and stress in my life. I still think it’s perhaps the fragging that really killed it. It’s all just bad timing and poor luck. Nothing else died. Literally the same other coral in a smaller tank in the same room. I’ve also talked to a few other people (wives mostly), and you all, of course. They’ve said they use all kinds of chemicals, even bleach on floors with no issues, so I dunno. I use nothing else in my house because he’s so insistent. Vinegar and baking soda are my best friend but sometimes just not enough. Really, like this is the only time. I go nowhere near his tanks because he’s such a purist.

Anyway, it’s always hard to admit you’re wrong. I honestly feel there were other factors at play, but there’s no way to tell. Wish corals and fish could talk or something. Like, “Hey coral, did it bother you when I mopped yesterday? Why do you think your posh friend over there died? You feeling okay today, fish?” ;Hilarious
＿|￣|○

 

[idkreefing]

There are a thousand reasons a frag can die, being messed with is certainly up there on the list, but many of us have corals that will STN/RTN (sudden tissue necrosis/rapid tissue necrosis) if we look at them the wrong way.

You can both point the finger at each other or you could put the dispute to bed by sending off a water sample for ICP testing. Something like this or this if there was anything in the water to kill that coral, it should show up in there. Its not so much about someone being right and the other wrong, more so one less thing to resent each other over.

Yes, I agree about laying it to bed. If I suggest he test his water, he’d probably shoot me with laser beams. Then I doubt he’d even tell me if the parameters are fine anyway because he will continue to believe it was the mopping. There are plenty of times the water and everything else seemed fine and something just up and dies. This is where I just admit defeat and ask him politely to please mop the floor and do it right while I supervise and oversee his efforts (while sipping coffee on the sofa) ;Hilarious

 

[Lasse]

I have a golden rule - if anything smell - it will end up in the aquarium water especially if you use a skimmer with air intake in the room. If it will be devastating for the inhabitants in the aquarium is only a question of concentration and/or the toxicity of the chemicals in use. I have a tip for you - if you really want the floor to be clean - ask him to give you some of his RODI water to mop with. RODI water is the best cleaning agent for glass and should work well on every hard surface. Test on a glass window - or your spectacles - if you have any

Sincerely Lasse

 

[idkreefing]

What does the dead coral look like? If it died from your cleaning it died very very very quickly. Not saying its impossible but...is the coral really dead?

Also, honestly, why isn't your husband cleaning the room that the tank is in? If he's that concerned it seems like the simplest thing is to divide up the cleaning? I hope he's not just trying to find ways to win "points" over you because that doesn't sound very respectful.

The dead coral is super dead. It’s for sure dead. No doubt in my mind. I didn’t check on it last night so I dunno when it actually happened.

I heard him messing around with the tank late last night, so I would think he would have noticed then if it was from the cleaning. Tbh, he didn’t sound to surprised, angry or shocked when he saw it dead this afternoon.

Also, he did say he was going to do it. As to when that would have been, I dunno. He says he will do a lot of things that just sit around for months at a time until I take action. Also, he’s not detail oriented, and his idea of cleaning is...well, much to be desired. Anyway, I wanted my white socks to stop turning gray. As for the division of labor, it’s divided extremely unequally. I do the dishes, laundry, cleaning (decluttering, organizing, dusting, mopping, vacuuming), usually the grocery/shopping, but lately he’s been doing it because of the virus. I handle the kids, and most of the cooking. I say most because sometimes he buys takeout, although more often lately. He’ll cook maybe once a month, probably less. He takes out the trash, pays the bills, plans entertainment...and makes great coffee! He works full time but hasn’t for about two months now. I also work full time up until about two weeks ago. I’ll go back to work in a couple of months.

Anyway, I can’t complain because I’m sure that’s still the case with most women, as he has pointed out to me many times. Doesn’t mean I don’t...complain, that is. That would be unrealistic. ;Hilarious I also know I’m not perfect. I’m extremely impatient. When I want things done, I want things done now. So we do what we can.

 

[tuesdayd]

I have a tip for you - if you really want the floor to be clean - ask him to give you some of his RODI water to mop with. RODI water is the best cleaning agent for glass and should work well on every hard surface. Test on a glass window - or your spectacles - if you have any

Sincerely Lasse

I'm with Lasse on this one. I do almost all my cleaning with just water. Occasionally there's some nastiness that requires a solution of something, but most of the time it's just water.

 

[Lasse]

The RODI water is water of 0 ion strenght. It just disolve dirt. We only use this water and no added chemichals for cleaning our windows

Sincerely Lasse

 

[GabeM]

This is entirely anecdotal but I use Windex on the tank glass and I am sure it has gotten in the tank. No issues with any SPS or even the gold torch.

 

[Lasse]

Test RO water next time

Sincerely Lasse

 

[TriggerFinger]

Girl, MOP YOUR FLOOR. mr clean is my choice of cleaner for tile too. I use it all over my home tile floors with fish tanks, a dog and two kids living here.. we’re all fine. Tell your husband to calm down!

 

[TriggerFinger]

So...a coral died. Of course, my husband says it’s my fault. However, that coral wasn’t looking too healthy. He had recently fragged off quite a bit of it to give to a friend. Can fragging kill a coral? Did my mopping really kill it?

Either case, guess my mopping days are over because my husband is feeling awfully smug that he proved his point, although he’s not happy about the coral. He gained a greater victory, proving me wrong. ;Shifty

Why did you have to die coral? Why?? ;Sorry Anyway, he plans to get it back from the friend he fragged it out to once he grows it out more, though he’ll have to wait awhile.

I didn’t see this post...Ohemgee. Your husband is very much overreacting. Unless you specifically poured mr clean INTO the tank, you didn’t hurt anything. I’m the reefer and a wife but if it was the opposite and he had a tank and threw a fit because I wanted to clean my home, then the fish tank would have to go. Period.