Your dumbest reef related move? Here's mine....

[Reef Pilot]

I have a Vertex In-280 skimmer in my basement sump, and just before I drain and clean it, I raise the water level up a bit, to get rid of the rest of the foam, before dialing it down and removing the top piece. However, I have to be careful not to raise the water too high, or it goes into overflow mode, and spills out the top.

Well, one time, as per usual, I raised the water level, and went upstairs, planning to return in a few minutes to drain and clean the skimmer. But left it a bit longer this time. And then I heard a screeching sound coming from downstairs. I rushed down, and my fire alarm was going, with a strong smell of something burning, and water splashing out of my skimmer.

My skimmer is tight against the side of my sump, which is also against the wall there. I also had a power bar hanging there with a timer and plug for my refugium light. And sure enough, some water splashed onto that timer and plug,and shorted it out. It was all black and melted.

Interestingly, though, it did not trigger the breaker for that circuit. And no, I did not have a GFI. You can beat me for that, if you want, but I had my reasons.

Since then, I stay present when raising my skimmer water level, just prior to cleaning it. I also added a lexan splash guard to the side of the sump, where my skimmer is, so the worst it can do is just overflow back into my sump. And I moved the power bar.