brandon429
Well-known member
Im thinking you might get sick again...sheets, bed, floors etc?
Almost killed myself, wife and dogs. Novices, Please read!
- Thread starter superrmario
- Start date
EricShane
New member
thank you for this post I too am a newbie getting into it so far never thought of boiling live rock and as a process engineer and some what of a chemical understanding I see how this could be a problem, would I have thought about it at first too probably not. Although we all know a lot of what we deal with are poisonous and as said before masters of chemical warfare your story can help many more of us to not do or take for granted the idea that we rule them all the time, I myself have had a few stings and rough nights but glad that your all OK and good. Thank you for this post!
GroktheCube
New member
Wow! I'm glad you're OK.
If I were you, I'd get the wife and dogs out for a day or two, get a respirator and some gloves, and thoroughly clean everything in the house. I believe palytoxin is a rather stable molecule. I think water + tsp would be able to remove it from surfaces pretty well.
I've always made a habit of using nitrile gloves while handling live rock or inverts, but I'll definitely be doubly sure to take all precautions now after reading this story :-O. I always did it more for the animal's sake than mine, but sheesh.
If I were you, I'd get the wife and dogs out for a day or two, get a respirator and some gloves, and thoroughly clean everything in the house. I believe palytoxin is a rather stable molecule. I think water + tsp would be able to remove it from surfaces pretty well.
I've always made a habit of using nitrile gloves while handling live rock or inverts, but I'll definitely be doubly sure to take all precautions now after reading this story :-O. I always did it more for the animal's sake than mine, but sheesh.
"Going back to the point of boiling, I do not recall if there were any polyps on the rocks. I can tell you I quickly examined them for any life just out of curiosity. I guess I missed something. "
Sorry to hear this, this is awful. No,you didn't necessarily miss a polyp, many organisms , especially algae and even some bacteria, cyano etc.. contain very toxic substances and boiling will vaporize them. Some dinoflagellates have recently been found to even contain s substance almost identical to palytoxin and just because you don't see dinos doesn't mean there aren't some there. Never, ever boil rocks! I don't know how often i need to post this. Boiling does not necessarily remove organics and can even cause further binding to some extent and does not remove phosphate or other metals etc...
It DOES vaporize toxins.
Bleaching rock is the safest and most effective way to remove organics. Muriatic acid the most reliable way to remove phosphate and metals. Period, never any need to risk you life boiling rocks.
Sorry to hear this, this is awful. No,you didn't necessarily miss a polyp, many organisms , especially algae and even some bacteria, cyano etc.. contain very toxic substances and boiling will vaporize them. Some dinoflagellates have recently been found to even contain s substance almost identical to palytoxin and just because you don't see dinos doesn't mean there aren't some there. Never, ever boil rocks! I don't know how often i need to post this. Boiling does not necessarily remove organics and can even cause further binding to some extent and does not remove phosphate or other metals etc...
It DOES vaporize toxins.
Bleaching rock is the safest and most effective way to remove organics. Muriatic acid the most reliable way to remove phosphate and metals. Period, never any need to risk you life boiling rocks.
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superrmario
New member
I did a full cleanup with Lysol and sprayed my fabrics with chemicals. Washed the dogs food bowls completly and then put them in the dish washer. Anything and everything that has a top on it was cleaned from top down so any residuals were killed off. Any food items that were on my counter are now in the garbage and my dishes and silverware are making its way into the dishwasher for a full cleaning. I feel at this time my home is safe. Thanks for the heads up! Its much appreciated!
Thank you!
Thanks and scary for sure. Thanks for the Kudos on the tank as well. I hope this thread is stickied.
Cleaned!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ_R-G_i4Xk&noredirect=1
This is exactly what I wanted this thread to do. Make new guys such as yourself aware of the dangers in this. Please wear gloves when moving are handling anything in your tank. I am happy you took the time to read. Good luck in your ventures!
Thanks for the info on the other baddies in and on rock as well as the advise. I appreciate it as will many others!
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specvjeff
New member
I had a very similar situation not too long ago. I was fragging a lot of Nuclear Greens and I had the exact same reaction but not as severe. It started with a runny itching nose and throat. Turned into a lot of sneezing and coughing. I went home, and the sneezing and coughing stopped. Shortly after eating dinner, I started to get the shivers and severe muscle aches in my lower back. I felt pretty crappy till the next day. It was either the Palys I fragged or the Flu shot I got the day before. Still not 100% sure which it was.
moondoggy4
Team RC
Thanks for sharing your experiences and I am grateful that everyone is doing better. I have some live rock some of my best pieces that are covered with aptisa's and a funny looking algae I was thinking about doing a bleach treatment I will not try the boiling treatment.
REEForBANG
New member
Sorry to hear that you guys are lucky Good info for anyone looking to clean there rocks
I hate to read stories like this. The guy who accidently poisoned himself from our club still sufferes breathing difficulties.
tektite
I never finish anyth
Be very careful with this route too, they remain dangerous even after being dried out. Heard one story awhile back of a guy's dog either getting extremely sick or dying after eating palys that had been dried out for a few weeks.
Chinch Bug
Member
I have a bunch of those Sea Foam green palys in my tank also many on rocks with lots of coral. Any natural predator that eats them (false cowrie, nudibranch, fish?) or is that a bad idea also?
Chinch Bug
Member
I have a bunch of those Sea Foam green palys in my tank also, many on rocks with lots of coral. Any natural predator that eats them (false cowrie, nudibranch, fish?) or is that a bad idea also?
aleggett321
New member
Just a comment on the muriatic acid mentioned in earlier posts. If anyone were to consider it, Make sure you use it OUTSIDE!! With nitrile gloves and eye protection. It is highly effective for organics on the rocks and phosphates in the rock but extremely caustic and dangerous without proper precautions.
MurphysLaw
New member
wow, I am glad everyone is ok! I read you should wear gloves and eye pro when handling Zoas but I had no idea. Very scary stuff, definitely glad you shared your experience I hope everyone reads your thread.
Spyderturbo007
New member
I'm happy to hear that everyone is doing better! I've read similar stories here and always wear gloves and safety glasses when working with anything in my tank. My wife walked in one day when I was dipping some zoas fighting a nudibranch problem.
She started giving me a hard time about my safety gear. I then explained to her that some Zoanthids can contain Palytoxin, one of the most toxic organic substances on the planet. She proceeded to back away from what I was doing and asked if I should be wearing a mask of full face shield.
She started giving me a hard time about my safety gear. I then explained to her that some Zoanthids can contain Palytoxin, one of the most toxic organic substances on the planet. She proceeded to back away from what I was doing and asked if I should be wearing a mask of full face shield.
