Safely breaking down neglected frag tank with zoas

[BigJohnny]

I posted this in chemistry forum for Randy but figured I'd ask the community as well:

I have a neglected frag tank where all the corals are dead. A few of the frags were zoanthids, I would say about 5-10 polyps total in a 20g tank. When zoanthids die due they release all of their palytoxin into the water? Do I need to take any special precautions besides gloves and glasses when I drain the tank and throw away the dead corals?

Heard so many horror stories lately I'm nervous about it all of a sudden. None were big paly grandis or green death palys or anything like that, just small ornamental zoas like bowser or fruit loops.

Any suggestions?

I know not to scrub or boil rocks or anything like that.

Thanks!

 

[Velcro]

Bleach destroys palytoxin. Maybe pour a gallon in the tank and let it run for a few hours before breaking down.

 

[Velcro]

Bleach destroys palytoxin. Maybe pour a gallon in the tank and let it run for a few hours before breaking down.

Though just for peace of mind I'd check the ammonia level first

 

[BigJohnny]

Though just for peace of mind I'd check the ammonia level first

I was about to say are you sure that won't create toxic gas? I would be very surprised if there was not ammonia but could be wrong.

 

[Velcro]

I was about to say are you sure that won't create toxic gas? I would be very surprised if there was not ammonia but could be wrong.

What makes you think ther would be ammonia in a neglected tank though? Seems like there'd just be a ton of nitrate

 

[BigJohnny]

What makes you think ther would be ammonia in a neglected tank though? Seems like there'd just be a ton of nitrate

Just because it was a frag tank with only some marinepure balls and there were a ton of frags jammed into a 20g. You are probably right though, it's been sitting there for a while so even if there was a huge spike it's probably all been converted.

Have you ever tried using bleach like that before?