API Test kit solution+fish=DEATH

Well I ordered a bunch of new stuff for my tank. After installing it, the next morning my royal gramma and sixline were dead.. So I set up a quarantine tank for my pair of clown.. Next evening both clowns were dead also.. First though stray voltage, 2nd thought fungus on smaller clowns bottom fin.. My educated guess is that my API test kit solution to test phosphates was busted open in shipping... Got some on my hands and shirt when I opened the test kit box.. Washed my hands and headed down to put my new skimmer and koralia in my tank.. THEN a couple days later the wife called me at work and asked what ate holes in my shirt..The API solution had eaten holes in my tshirt when it hit water in the wash.. Hmmm..MY guess in solution on my hands was the culprit... Within the next 2 days all 4 of my fish died.. Death toll... 1. Royal Gramma 2. Sixline Wrasse. 3.4. Pair of false percs.... Expensive lesson learned..

 

Wow, sorry to hear that. I know it says corrosive on the bottle, didn't realize it was that bad! +k

 

Me neither.. Sad thing is I was sure I washed my hands.... Evidentally not well enough...

 

That sucks for you, but I will be much more careful around my tank and my API test kits. Sorry for your loss.

 

I take about a cup of water from the tank and do the testing else where. I almost dumped a whole bottle of Kent Liquid Cal. the other day now I measure and only bring what I want to put into the tank to the tank now all testing and other equipment is not kept near the tank anylonger.

 

Thanks for sharing - I'll take note of this as well.

Sorry for your loss. +K

 

thanks for letting us know

 

Sorry for your loss buddy, that sucks for real! I also test away from the tank. Luna

 

I think your first thought about stray voltage may be accurate since you added electrical components. Do you employ a grounding probe?

 

yeah I do... My pajama cardinal is eating like a hog.. Hope its the light at the end of the tunnel.. I opened my kit upstairs.. There must of been enough left on my hand to do the fish in...