Fire on vacation

[Heres_doe_]

So I'm on vacation. I kept telling my brother make sure you check up on my tank. It's my first tank everything was running great while i was at home. Soon as I go on vaca he's not on top of things thinking it's just a fish tank. Smh and this happened. House almost caught on fire and lights are done now and i don't know how long has this been like this. If fish or corals are ok smh. I'm beyond mad.

 

[Chrisv.]

Yikes. Thank goodness your house is okay.

 

[tehmadreefer]

Always clean your cords and power strips. Salt creep is a fire waiting to happen…

 

[Heres_doe_]

Yikes. Thank goodness your house is okay.

Most important thing but what the heck man no light for God knows how long lucky i go back tomorrow afternoon. Only thing running currently is powerhead. I told him turn everything off except that

 

[blaxsun]

Yeah, no kidding yikes. So did something short out with whatever that plug was or did water creep down to the outlet from somewhere?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Holy cow. Glad all is good other than light.
From looks of pic- moisture got to the power strip.

@Brew12

 

[Heres_doe_]

Yeah, no kidding yikes. So did something short out with whatever that plug was or did water creep down to the outlet from somewhere?

I don't know not home yet to examine it. But i def think some water hit it because he sent me a terrible picture yesterday and I was examining it today very hard. Water levels looked extremely high so i told him rush him water levels are high and i bet water was leaking down. He said it wasn't wet but who knows with a fire it probably dried up

 

[Isopod80]

I'm sorry this happened. You're very lucky. It's imperative to run all cords with a drip loop to prevent water from running down the cord and reaching the recepticle. At least it wasn't much worse.

 

[MaxTremors]

Back in 2008, I had the ballast for an old Biocube blow up. Luckily I was home when it happened, made a huge bang and was literally shooting flames out of the little plastic box it was housed in. I unplugged it and threw water on it, and luckily got it put out. Would’ve definitely burnt the house down if I wasn’t home. I’ve always heard that oceanic (this was one of the old ones) had great customer service, but they wouldn’t do anything, not even replace it and it was still under warranty.

 

[Heres_doe_]

Well couple questions now. Will the light still work if i get a new power cable. Will lights out for a few days affect corals dramatically.

 

[Isopod80]

It's possible the lights will still work by running a new cord as long as the ballast didn't short out completely. Depending on the lighting you may be able to replace the ballast if needed. As far as the corals, most should be fine for a few days. Many reefers do 3 day blackouts to control algae with minimal to no coral damage. Perhaps have your brother open the blinds and place whatever lamps etc. he can around the tank during the day if you're worried. Some light is better than none.

 

[Heres_doe_]

It's possible the lights will still work by running a new cord as long as the ballast didn't short out completely. Depending on the lighting you may be able to replace the ballast if needed. As far as the corals, most should be fine for a few days. Many reefers do 3 day blackoutso to control algae with minimal coral damage.

Well that's good to hear because i know my little algae bloom isn't outta control now because his butt didn't do what he had to

 

[Sebastiancrab]

Suggestion for the future is to have a Wyze camera set up on your system that you can check 24/7. Have two possible reefer people (not relatives unless it is to allow access) that could possibly come by your house in an emergency. Pay them. Have dual automatic feeders and dual heaters with controllers and a backup return pump. On the electrical end, also make sure you have a GFCI outlet (they sell ones on cords too) and a grounding probe.

 

[Isopod80]

When you do get your lights sorted out, start with a lower intensity /duration and work back up to normal.

 

[Gtinnel]

Well that's good to hear because i know my little algae bloom isn't outta control now because his butt didn't do what he had to

First off be glad that your house didn't burn down. We all love our tanks but ultimately there are more important things.
Also, I'm not sure what your brother did that would make you blame him for this. Not trying to beat you up over it but if the tank was setup to where water could get to an outlet that seems like your fault and not the fault of someone watching your tank.

 

[rockdiver]

Wow ! I would first put a GFI outlet or go buy a GFI power strip.
I actually have both.
I keep all my power in a separate side and not behind and all mounted high so if I do forget the drip loop with the power mounted high its kinda fail safe drip loop naturally.
I know you need the lights asap but determining why and how would be my high on my list.
Very lucky.
Play the lotto !

 

[a.t.t.r]

I usually mount all my power strips and ballast to a sheet of metal usually a low cost cookie sheet just for this reason. If something burns it better not go anywhere. Did water drip into the outlet? That seems like more then salt buildup.

 

[Sebastiancrab]

I usually mount all my power strips and ballast to a sheet of metal usually a low cost cookie sheet just for this reason. If something burns it better not go anywhere. Did water drip into the outlet? That seems like more then salt buildup.

Excellent idea re: the cookie sheet. Kudos!

 

[Heres_doe_]

Ok so there's def water on the wires that caused it. Looks like the water level got too the rim of the tank and it kept slowly dripping out because the filter in the over flow box got clogged

 

[Isopod80]

Ok so there's def water on the wires that caused it. Looks like the water level got too the rim of the tank and it kept slowly dripping out because the filter in the over flow box got clogged

Yup, drip loops next time around.