Palytoxin expossure???

[steallife904]

Hello all, hoping i don't have a palytoxin issue on my hands. I was just doing a water change and getting a frag ready to go into my tank. i have an area on one of my rocks that is covered with green palys. near impossible to remove this rock. I decided i will use a bunch of my frag epoxy and cover them up like a blanket in hopes to smoother them out (this is also where i want to place this frag. I started smashing the epoxy over the plays and into the rock crevaces and the epoxy fell off. Well a cloud of slime came running off the palys which i have heard is them releasing the toxin. i went and ran my hand and arm under water for a minute then put on a glove to get the epoxy back over area (not as good this time) very fast, did the water change and dropped some carbon in sump. I opened windows in that room and shut door. then used dawn dish soap to scrub arm.
So million dollar question.... should i freak out or am i ok? No clue if i caused a major issue or not. Been about 30 minutes and feel fine. Also is tank ok? No real experience with issue like this before.

 

[JoshO]

Monitor yourself and have a member of your family monitor you to make sure you aren't seeming unusual.
You seem to have been pretty thorough so you may be okay but give it at least 6 hours to be sure.

 

[DeniseAndy]

First off, not all "palys" have the toxin, but better safe than sorry. The tank should be fine after some water changes and carbon running. Worry about that later. Assuming your tank is larger than 20g.

For you, make sure to throw any towels you used with the tank away. Do not wash them, just toss in garbage. If gloves are good rubber ones, keep and clean with bleach later. If not, toss in garbage.

Make sure to not touch your face. No where near your eyes for a while. That was what got me. Not fun!

Relax and maybe take a full shower. If feeling fine, should be good. If you get ill in any way, go to hospital and let them know the issue. I think you will be fine. Good reaction to bad situation.

 

[steallife904]

i have heard of it before so when it happened i kinda had an idea of stuff to do. I have had these palys for awhile i want gone but because of this have been afraid to touch.... until today and had an issue. Hopefully all is ok.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I hope so too. Good luck. Please let us know if you run into any issues. Not much we can do except wish you the best. All will be okay.

 

[steallife904]

yes tank is 150gal. I threw everything i used away and tied garbage bag off and in trash can. dumped water in corner of yard where no one goes and sprayed bucket out good with hose and left outside. have not touched face and have washed hands about 10 times lol. maybe shower in a minute.

Should i make water for more water changes today or was i ok with the one and carbon in sump until tomorrow?

 

[DeniseAndy]

I would make water to have on hand. Then watch the tank in the mean time. Anything having issues, do a change. Just what I would do. Take care of you too.

 

[JoshO]

I would make water to have on hand. Then watch the tank in the mean time. Anything having issues, do a change. Just what I would do. Take care of you too.

As you have knowledge of this topic, do you know if there is a list of paly's and zoas that do contain toxins?

 

[Opus]

Unless you are allergic to a lot of stuff, I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you start feeling "different" take a benedryl. The toxins aren't going to get into the air unless you boil the rock.

 

[DeniseAndy]

There is a study done on them. Only one particular taxia contains the palytoxin. I will try to find it. It was mentioned recently on here.
Read through this. It is interesting. The articles are too. My only experience is getting hit twice in eyes (not a pleasant experience) and seeing someone else get sick too (fine, but rushed to hospital).
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/paly-eradication-and-palytoxin-safety-tips.652884/

 

[JoshO]

There is a study done on them. Only one particular taxia contains the palytoxin. I will try to find it. It was mentioned recently on here.
Read through this. It is interesting. The articles are too. My only experience is getting hit twice in eyes (not a pleasant experience) and seeing someone else get sick too (fine, but rushed to hospital).
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/paly-eradication-and-palytoxin-safety-tips.652884/

That would be awesome to have on hand thank you

 

[dadnjesse]

You shouldn't try and kill them all at once. I had paly's I wanted to remove and I nuked them a couple at a time over a few weeks.

 

[steallife904]

well it looks like me and tank are ok . thanks everyone for the quick feedback

 

[steallife904]

how did you go about getting rid of them?

 

[dadnjesse]

I used Franks F Aiptasia Killer and injected a few at a time. Took me a few weeks but mine are gone. I do get one pop up once in a while.

F-Aiptasia Killer ( Patented Formula )

PLEASE STIR THIS PRODUCT WITH THE STIRRING STICK THAT IS INLUDED AND THEN SHAKE THIS VIGOROUSLY UPON RECEIVING IT AND BEFORE USE. IT DOES HAVE A TENDENCY TO SEPARATE. WE ARE WORKING ON THAT! DO NOT HESITATE TO USE A SMALL AMOUNT OF RODI WATER IN THE EVENT THAT YOUR PRODUCT HARDENS. I GUARANTEE...

saltwateraquariumstore.franks-tanks.com

 

[DeniseAndy]

I had so many I had to remove the rocks. I many aiptasia products to no avail. I had way too many. Although, not that one.

 

[steallife904]

do you think my method of smothering them out with putty a little at a time will work ok???? i just can't remove the rock. I also have them growing on over flow....... think my only way to remove them is to scrape off but I'm terrified to do it.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Cannot hurt to try. If you scrape them, just make sure to use like a razor blade and at the base cut them off. Scrape well as I think they come back pretty easily. In the tank should not be an issue as long as you wear gloves and wash afterwards. Just do not go in with cut up arms or hands.