Moderate Consumption of Reef Water

[toytech]

Ever gone snorkeling ? You always end up drinking a fair amount there , wont ever stop me from climbing back in . Even if you tank is full of some kind of nasty fish disease your not a fish so don't worry.

[Wayne]

I always worried because its synthetic salt mix... Does anyone know what they do to the salt or where it comes from?

[Edmonton newbie]

Originally Posted by abcha0s

I agree with everyone else that the water is generally harmless; although harmful bacteria can on rare occasion be found in our tanks. The odds are certainally in favor of the water being safe, but not 100% of the time.

I would point out that if there was something bad in your water, spitting it out wouldn't really be much protection from anything. I can think of several analogies to illustrate that point, but I will refrain. Considering the acids in your stomach, bacteria probably has less of a chance of surviving there then it would in your mouth.

I personally start my siphons by sucking on the house, but make your own decision. Don't assume that the water in your tank is harmless just because I haven't got sick from the water in my tank.

- Brad

id just like to know how brad gets the siphons going by sucking his house? could you please post a quick video of this brad

[Rogue951]

Don't worry about it unless u have a weak immune system and open sores in your mouth. Rinse with listerine.
If youre really worried dilute with fresh water.
might have a night of the runs but not gonna kill you. (assuming u don't dose abnormally)

[Pinnochio5]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I was just a little jumpy after reading all that stuff about those palytoxins, . Definitely not going to do it anymore when I get my Zoas. Now only to find a hand pump with a suction probe small enough to fit into my drip acclimation tube.

[abcha0s]

Originally Posted by Edmonton newbie

id just like to know how brad gets the siphons going by sucking his house? could you please post a quick video of this brad

It took me a while to figure out what you were getting at. It seemed like my statement was pretty reasonable, and then i saw the typo
So yeah, good for a laugh. Ill work on putting that video together..

[dacookster]

Originally Posted by Pinnochio5

Thanks for the replies everyone. I was just a little jumpy after reading all that stuff about those palytoxins, . Definitely not going to do it anymore when I get my Zoas. Now only to find a hand pump with a suction probe small enough to fit into my drip acclimation tube.

I just posted a similar subject/question to the "cautions" sticky. Glad to hear I'm not the only one with a mouthful from time to time. Anyways, from what I've researched, the zoas need to be quite disturbed to release such toxins, like fragging etc. So, as precautions, sure, handle with gloves and eye protection, but I've never seen a LFS employee grab a zoa frag with gloves on!! Actually, one even told me I was being ridiculous after mentioning the palytoxin scenario.

[abcha0s]

Here's the response I posted in the Marine Aquarium Cautions:

Originally Posted by dacookster

Anyone ever accidently got aquarium water in the mouth? My aquarium is small and difficult to syphon from so usually I start it manually. Wasn't paying attention a few times and ended up with a mouthful. Anyways, I'm still alive but was wondering if i'm the only idiot to do such a thing.

Normally I wouldn't care, but this is a thread about the risks of salt water aquariums.

PUTTING WATER FROM YOUR TANK IN YOUR MOUTH IS A VERY BAD IDEA!

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-0...ture/index.php

- Brad

PS. Don't be nieve in believing that your tank can't hurt you. You could get very very sick. We all take risks, including me, but don't think they aren't risks. Do whatever you want with your tank, but don't pretend that they are not dangerous. Even more importantly, don't tell other people that the water is harmless. Let each person make their own decisions based on knowledge and logic. People do get sick. If you get sick, let it be because you choose to ignore the facts.

[dacookster]

Originally Posted by abcha0s

Here's the response I posted in the Marine Aquarium Cautions:

PS. Don't be nieve in believing that your tank can't hurt you. You could get very very sick. We all take risks, including me, but don't think they aren't risks. Do whatever you want with your tank, but don't pretend that they are not dangerous. Even more importantly, don't tell other people that the water is harmless. Let each person make their own decisions based on knowledge and logic. People do get sick. If you get sick, let it be because you choose to ignore the facts.

Well thats exactly why I made this post, because I know there are dangers, but I would feel a lot less anxious around my tank knowing others have goofed and not become mortally ill. So, from now on I probably will do syphoning with a hand pump, and wash my hands really good, which I do anyways.