Almost killed myself, wife and dogs. Novices, Please read!

[vitz]

Could you provide me with the link to the discussion?

i don't save the emails after i read them-there are simply too many. you can go to noaa's website and sign up to get subscribed to the coral-list though-it's basically an email server for coral scientists (and anyone who's interested)to discuss all things coral/reef/ocean related stuffs, and it's amazingly informative on a wide variety of subjects (though most of the discussions focus on climate change as it pertains to oceans/reefs).perhaps someone will post again on the subject in the (hopefully near) future.

sorry

 

[AppleCurrent]

Scary story, noting never to do that. Glad everyone's alright.

 

[firstlight10]

I am glad your OK but I am wondering if an epi-pen or an OTC medicine such as Benadryl can help with a reaction to palytoxin?

 

[Thales]

Good on you for posting this. Glad you are doing better.

 

[mtcoins123]

Try boiling them..

Nah, lol im jk. Glad your okay

This i think all started due to someone coinning the phrase "Cooking your rock" i think this should serve as a reminder that fancy names and terms and a bad idea and people should say and do what is correct and known to work. i remember reading a thread where a new person was confused as to how to "cook" their rock and was asking if there was a microwave method....... we are at times only as smart as the last article or document we read be careful what you write.

 

[signal_4]

You know after look at your pics I think I have the same Palays... what I have done is that when I want to clear some off I just use a regular strong bristled tooth brush and scrub them off the rock.... I dont take the rock out of the tank.... just stick my arm in there and start scrubbing....I have done this several times with no ill effect.

 

[vitz]

You know after look at your pics I think I have the same Palays... what I have done is that when I want to clear some off I just use a regular strong bristled tooth brush and scrub them off the rock.... I dont take the rock out of the tank.... just stick my arm in there and start scrubbing....I have done this several times with no ill effect.

you should stop doing that yesterday-the toxin that is released into the water column can still deposit on your skin, and it takes a miniscule amount to kill. a stray water droplet that sprays onto your lip from the tank by accident is all it can take.

you're playing with fire of a sort for which you don't have an extinguisher.

 

[auem]

i would like to know how this toxin breaks....because even in the tank a palythoa can get rubbed by moving invertebrate or fish..even moving rocks can cause friction....so i wonder at what condition this toxin release under normal temperature......


@superrrmario,
i 'saved' my excess rock by putting them in the rooftop...ample sun..then bleaching....but i guess you don't have the luxury....glad you are safe and sound...:beer:

 

[superrmario]

You know after look at your pics I think I have the same Palays... what I have done is that when I want to clear some off I just use a regular strong bristled tooth brush and scrub them off the rock.... I dont take the rock out of the tank.... just stick my arm in there and start scrubbing....I have done this several times with no ill effect.

Please do not do that.

I received a private message from someone who has investigated Palytoxin poisoning. He also shared a documented story of someone almost punching out due to exactly what you were doing.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blo...-personal-experience-with-palytoxin-poisoning

I am in the process of building up the manadated 10 posts so I can reply to the two people who PM'ed me. If you see this, I will have a reply out to you soon!

 

[superrmario]

@superrrmario,
i 'saved' my excess rock by putting them in the rooftop...ample sun..then bleaching....but i guess you don't have the luxury....glad you are safe and sound...:beer:

Thanks

I wish I knew of a place a bit better suited for drying out rock. I guess they are going to go out on my small porch the next time I remove rock.

 

[tektite]

Please keep in mind everyone that dried out palys are still extremely dangerous

 

[signal_4]

Ok point very well taken !!...but Im using a tooth brush not my finger nail.... also if the toxin is being released into the water why is it not killing off the live stock ? Not doubting yall....just curious ....

 

[vitz]

if one even suspects there *might* be a paly in one's tank, gloves are a prerequisite, as well as a thorough hand washing after being in the tank.

those two things should be part of s.o.p. regardless, imo-it will also save one from gettin nailed by bristleworms, coral stings, etc etc

 

[VGT]

I've got a whole rock of those damn things, and go into my tank gloveless all the time.

Jesus.

 

[buffalo123]

I have lots also had them for many years, they came in on live rock. Difficult to see on liverock thats been in he dark for a few months but they survive somehow. On the odd day you are working on your reef for long periods of time you have to be careful. Wear gloves.
How easythe toxin is released i don't know. I do know if they are stressed by handling they seem to empty there stomachs and you get a stringy substance coming from them.

 

[buffalo123]

I have lots also had them for many years, they came in on live rock. Difficult to see on liverock thats been in he dark for a few months but they survive somehow. On the odd day you are working on your reef for long periods of time you have to be careful. Wear gloves.
How easythe toxin is released i don't know. I do know if they are stressed by handling they seem to empty there stomachs and you get a stringy substance coming from them.

 

[geckoejon]

wow, this article was a serious eye opener for me. i will never boil live rock and always wear gloves while handling them and coral. thanks for sharing!

 

[reret10]

A painful reminder of how rediculously dangerous some everyday things in reefing can be.

 

[Itsadeepbluesea]

Wow very scary, hopefully many can learn from your storey

 

[jp634]

hey what happened to supperrmario can happen to anyone of us. I was cleaning an old rock in my garage that had dried out and I did the same thing to my family and dogs. those brown and green pales are some of the most toxic pales in the ocean and are really bad when the dry out do not scrap them when they are wet or dry.

glad to hear you are ok I know I lost at least 10% percent of my lung cap to those palyes.