LED Strip fell into tank, cloudy water

Aquageek450 · Dec 10, 2018

I just went home on my lunch break and noticed my tank water was VERY cloudy, I looked in the sump area and my under cabinet stick on LED light had fallen into the sump. It has about 6 single LEDS and is powered by 6 AA Batteries which were submerged. Id guess the fixture fell in after I left for work this morning so it has probably been in the water for about 6 hours or so.

When I removed the light from the water, it was dripping a very dark black water. Do you think this is just from the LEDs blowing out or is it from the batteries?

I put fresh carbon in my reactor and had to leave to go back to work. Everything in the tank seemed fine and the tank was already clearing up since removing the light.

My only concern is that maybe the acid from the batteries got into the water? Is it a big deal if it did? I will do a large water change after work.

lapin · Dec 10, 2018

The AA batteries have small air vents in the ends and water can get in. The batteries contain potassium hydroxide, zinc and manganese dioxide. I dont see where this would cause a problem since the leakage would be at a min in that short amount of time they were under water. The concern is what the other components are in the light that might react with the salt water. The light may have had some corrosion build up inside from the salt mist in the air. When it hit the water it dissolved and came out.

Porpoise Hork · Dec 10, 2018

Do a big water change, 30-40%. Run carbon and Purigen if you have it. Run your skimmer to pull a wet skim for a couple days.

As for the light, only thing you really need worry about is from the batteries. The rest of the components are sealed and would take far longer than 6 hours to cause any issues.

Oh. Almost forgot. You will want to watch your Alk and PH for a day or two. Those compounds could cause some funky swings.

KrisReef · Dec 10, 2018

I would recommend adding a Poly Filter into your circulation. Batteries are not going to provide good nutrients into your system.

MnFish1 · Dec 10, 2018

I think the answer is - its a guess. It could be related (probably is) - but might not be. Not sure why something metal (from an LED) would cause cloudy water - unless something is dead in your tank (or multiple things) - may be good to check your fish etc for deaths at this point and remove them,. Carbon, chemipure, and whatever the metal reducing one is I cant remember cant be bad ideas at this point - (the metal lowering one) ? Polyfilter?

vetteguy53081 · Dec 11, 2018

Water change is first in order followed by a water test. Thereafter, add high grade carbon and retest after 12 hrs for any high readings

Aquageek450 · Dec 11, 2018

Thanks guys, the tank has cleared up and everything seems happy. All the coral is open like normal and the fish are fine. I have Carbon running and water mixing for a water change. All seems well.

lapin · Dec 11, 2018

Aquageek450 said:
Thanks guys, the tank has cleared up and everything seems happy. All the coral is open like normal and the fish are fine. I have Carbon running and water mixing for a water change. All seems well.

Did you take the light apart to see what leaked out?