by Aquarium Related Deaths Happen:
It shouldn’t come as a great surprise that the world is full of things that can kill you. From random wild bear attacks to killer bees to the common cold, it seems like you need to protect yourself from the harm of the outside world. But what about the inside world? I’m sure you’ve thought of the usual. Warning the kids not to run with scissors, getting a carbon monoxide detector installed in the garage… but have you ever considered that there might be things about that peaceful, relaxing fish tank that might be harmful? Even outright deadly? Well, this is no simple aquarium monster fish list. No No. These are the real things that have a real potential to do harm.
You see, there are sea monsters in this world. But it might surprise you what the deadliest aquarium monsters are. In this article, we will take a close look at the top 3 reasons people die from the aquariums in their homes and how you and your family can avoid a potentially bad situation. So, here’s our top three list countdown of the Top 3 Aquarium Monsters that can Kill….
I remember my first aquarium related job, working as a salesperson at at a local petland store. The manager at the time had young children, and I can recall a horrific accident that happened to one of her kids. She had a young son that decided one day he would climb the front of a fifty five gallon aquarium like it was Mount Everest. Aquariums are typically a little top heavy to begin with, and before they knew it, the child had toppled over the entire tank, which came crashing to the ground on top of the kid with all of the water weight, glass and live animals. The child suffered from a broken arm and lacerations from the shattering glass shards all over his body. But, it could’ve been worse as an unsecured aquarium can kill you.
Solution:
Always be sure to put your aquarium on a level surface. Use a carpenter’s level whenever installing a new tank and make sure the stand is level and then the tank sitting on the stand is level. Make sure that the structure the tank is sitting on is also strong enough to hold the weight of not just the tank but the water as well. At about 8 pounds per gallon, even a small fish tank can weigh a substantial amount. Much less an aquarium design for monster fish. To prevent a tip and collapse nightmare, consider using furniture straps and anchors to secure the tank to the stand and then the stand to the rear wall behind it. This should help keep the tank secure and in place.
Palythoa coral toxin, deadly pufferfish fugu, spiny urchins, fish venom, deadly blue ring octopus bites and finger splitting pistol shrimp. Not to mention poisonous aquarium plants. They can all cause deadly serious harm to your family. Even the most dangerous aquarium fish in the world pale in comparison to toxins that some corals can release.
Solution:
Ultimately, it’s up to you to do your own homework on the plants and animals that you keep in your home. When you’re picking out new tank inhabitants and plants, be sure to do your homework on each individual species BEFORE you buy it. RESIST the urge to buy anything for your fish tank unless you’ve done proper research on it FIRST.
When you’re dealing with something that’s potentially harmful, ALWAYS wear safety gear such as gloves, safety goggles and in some cases an air respirator. Specific to Palythoa and Zoanthid corals: NEVER scrub, boil, remove, bleach, yank or pull any of these animals directly out of the tank. It’s better to just remove whatever they are attached to (live rock, etc.) out of the tank to another tank or a safe area away from pets and children. Seriously, wear your safety gear. Palytoxin is no joke. Be safe. Send everyone including other pets out of the room when dealing with Palys. There is no cure. Seek medical help immediately if you feel the slightest bit funny and let your paramedics know it’s palytoxin.
Yes, the number 1 cause of aquarium related deaths in the world is related to the combination of electricity and water. Filters, heaters, pumps and more are all plugged in and connected to your tank. With every water change, you risk a spill either from water coming out of the aquarium or fresh water being poured back into the tank. Perhaps you’ve even automated your water changes or top off systems with fancy gadgets and bluetooth controlled tech. But guess what, water is an excellent conductor of electricity and it can kill you. Don’t get electrocuted!
Solution:
The best thing you can do to protect yourself from electrical currents is to install a Ground Fault Interrupter Circuit outlet. This is a simple electrical outlet originally designed for kitchens and bathroom spaces where water is in close proximity to electricity. A GFCI outlet can potentially protect you from a short or other problem with the power supplied to your aquarium’s electronic devices. If water comes into contact with a device plugged into a GFCI outlet, the outlet will trip and cut off the electrical supply to that outlet. Also, be sure to unplug your aquarium devices like your tank heater when you do water changes or other work on the tank. A glass water heater can overheat and shatter if exposed to too great of a temperature extreme during a water change. Another great tip is to create a drip loop in all of your power cords. You can do this in one of two ways: If the cord is long, you can wrap the end of it in a circle and then plug the plug into the wall. If the plug is shorter, create a loop below the wall outlet with the slack in the cord.
