Palytoxin, my story...

So, do you think a guy running a reef tank in a studio apartment is in any danger of airborne coral toxins?
Btw, Muriatic acid 1:10 with water seems to do well for removing all organics. Obviously, the material produces all new sorts of dangers, but there are clear procedures.

Unless you're doing somethign to release the toxins; ex boiling or acid cooking, no danger is associated from the home size.

I use vinegar to do the same job. It's easier to get and safer to use. It also requires no dilution, but costs more.

DO NOT USE ANY ACID, to remove palys or zoas. The type of acid will not matter, if you end up trying to remove a subspecies which has toxin, you are taking a big chance.
 
In case anyone reads up on this in the future and wonders if it's really that bad, that maybe zoas are worth it. I can assure you no.

I tried a light 18min work out last night, the first since the poisoning. My lungs had been feeling better but the coughing and phlegm were still pretty bad. Just the little effort and extra breathing needed to workout was enough to really put a hurt on. I was able to get very little sleep last night, breathing is that labored. Anything more than shallow breathing is pretty painful and induces coughing fits, shallow breathing keep me feeling as if I'm holding my breath and wanting more air.

I’ve suffered from some pretty bad bronchitis growing up, but this is the worst I can remember. The toxins really jacked up my lungs, presumably as they were the front line organ that absorbed everything from the air. I’m likely not only dealing with the irritation of bronchitis, but of death of countless cells from the toxin killing them.

I can’t imagine anyone ever dealing with this and then deciding to keep the offending z/p. Even a remote chance of dealing with this a second time isn’t worth it.
 
Josh! Man, oh man!

I use diluted (sometimes full strength) muriatic but ONLY to clean pumps, parts, etc.

I have long shaken my head at the sale/keeping of z and p in this hobby. People keep these things and have no idea. You had good idea and still... These things are bad, bad, bad.

The lessons, because the do not keep clearly will gain no traction, are:

1. Any and all maneuvers with rock containing z/p, including fragging or anything, should always be done outside. Period.
2. If acid or vinegar washing/soaking rock, even if you do not think you have z/ps, must always be done outside (there are other hidden nasties and the dying organisms can be dangerous).
3. If acid or vinegar washing/soaking rock that you know has z/p, not only do so outside, but do so in a bin with a lid, put caution tape around it to ward off curious eyes.
4. Always, always wear eye protection and gloves, when dealing with anything containing z/p.

People will ignore. People will put these things in their tanks without reading about them first. Because Josh knew about them, perhaps subconsciously he was more careful, left the room, looked away rather than at, or, he just got lucky. Everyone ought to be aware that there is nothing new about anything in this post.

Be safe, people!
 
[video=youtube;sgolj7laZQY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgolj7laZQY[/video]



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[MENTION=2300]ultimatemj[/MENTION] wow, that is one heck of a story that Julian shared. Thanks for the video.


It's a very long sotry, but kept me watching it all the way to the Q&A. Especially the story about Deitrick who had a heart attack and possible stroke from palytoxin.
 
The part of the video I am particularly intrigued by is the measurements of palytoxin concentration in different ZnPs.

That is where my earlier comment came from about the idea of screening out 'deadly ZnPs' from the hobby. Presuming the lower concentrations are actually 'low risk', this would be a win win...in that no one gets hurt and the hobby doesn't end up with a legal case resulting in an over regulation that significantly constrains the industry.


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The part of the video I am particularly intrigued by is the measurements of palytoxin concentration in different ZnPs.
That is where my earlier comment came from about the idea of screening out 'deadly ZnPs' from the hobby. Presuming the lower concentrations are actually 'low risk', this would be a win win...in that no one gets hurt and the hobby doesn't end up with a legal case resulting in an over regulation that significantly constrains the industry.
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Yeah, just some way of knowing the risk would help.

In the mean time I'm going to find a way, if nothing else through a common friend to reach Julian. Just to share this method of getting the toxin airborne.
 
Cool....maybe throw in the idea of an 'known offende database'?

Meaning a place for collecting pictures of ZnPs that people have had notable reactions to....to help hobbiest understand when they are actually 'playing fire'


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Cool....maybe throw in the idea of an 'known offende database'?
Meaning a place for collecting pictures of ZnPs that people have had notable reactions to....to help hobbiest understand when they are actually 'playing fire'
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Will do. I've reahed out via two methods now and linked back to this thread. If nothing else, he make get a chance to read some of it over even if I don't hear back.
 
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