Help......LED strip fell into tank

Reefpro · Mar 28, 2016

So my LD stunner strip somehow fell into tank it is built on an aluminum piece of channel metal. It was not on when it happened and not sure how long it was in tank Sps corals are all ticked and faded I put carbon in a sock and put in sump. What to do? Am I doomed or will it recover I am making water as we speak. randy please help

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 28, 2016

Sorry to hear this.

I'd run a Boyd Polyfilter, Seachem Cuprisorb or TLF Metasorb, or Triton Detox to bind any potential copper and other metals that may have been released.

Maybe some extra GAC and skimming, and hope for the best.

Good luck!

Reefpro · Mar 28, 2016

Are you thinking toxic tow sps or fish?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 28, 2016

Corals and other inverts. Fish are not as sensitive to metals (at least to copper).

Reefpro · Apr 2, 2016

Randy's some corals were effected and some not so much. All my sps were nice and colorful now look like from a Zeo system. I changed 30 gallon in 200 gallon system and added carbon. Any other thoughts?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 2, 2016

I'd use one of the metal binders listed above as the copper or other metal may still be there.

If they are still alive, that's a good sign.

Reefpro · Apr 2, 2016

So a poly filter? How big? Will colors come back over time?

dewboy1127 · Apr 2, 2016

Reefpro said:
Randy's some corals were effected and some not so much. All my sps were nice and colorful now look like from a Zeo system. I changed 30 gallon in 200 gallon system and added carbon. Any other thoughts?

Lol a zeo system ...im sorry about your situation but that was funny right there

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 3, 2016

Reefpro said:
So a poly filter? How big? Will colors come back over time?

My expectation is that once the corals get healthy, they will improve in color.

A polyfilter is an OK choice, as are the other products. Make sure it is Boyd Polyfilter, not just floss.
http://www.marinedepot.com/Poly_Fil...Media-Poly_Bio_Marine-PB1111-FIFMMEPM-vi.html

The size needed depends on the amount of metal in the tank and the water volume, so I can't really say except using too much is not likely a problem.

FlyinBryan · Apr 3, 2016

Something similar happened once to me as well. Wiped out everything.

Reefpro · Apr 3, 2016

FlyinBryan said:
Something similar happened once to me as well. Wiped out everything.

How long did it take and what happened in ur situation?

FlyinBryan · Apr 3, 2016

It was immediate. Like someone said. Throw in carbon and do daily water changes for a week!

TheHarold · Apr 3, 2016

Electrocution?

Reefpro · Apr 3, 2016

Mine are just very pale but still have great PE ordered poly filters tonight. What happened in ur case

Reefpro · Apr 3, 2016

TheHarold said:
Electrocution?

No the lights were off

redfishbluefish · Apr 3, 2016

It's not as simple as the lights being on or off. If the light is NOT being controlled by a remote controller, the cord going into the fixture is energized. If this is the case, regardless of the light being on or off, the electricity will flow (assuming AC).

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 4, 2016

Electricity flowing from copper wires can be especially bad since there may be a lot of copper released. When the wire in question is acting as the anode (when electrons are flowing from the solution to the wire and down it), copper will lose an electron down the wire and dissolve:

Cu --> Cu++ + 2e-

Reefpro · Apr 4, 2016

Very interesting. Fwiw it is controlled by my Apex controller

twilliard · Apr 4, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Electricity flowing from copper wires can be especially bad since there may be a lot of copper released. When the wire in question is acting as the anode (when electrons are flowing from the solution to the wire and down it), copper will lose an electron down the wire and dissolve:

Cu --> Cu++ + 2e-

Reminds me of my days using electrolysis