To Coral or not to Coral

BubbaGumpShrimp · 09/23/2014, 05:26 PM

Hello,
New to site 6 wks with saltwater, had many years with fresh water.

My eventual goal was to have a reef system (currently FOWLR). As I have been reading, researching, learning, I have become aware of Corals and Toxins. Read a couple articles regarding palytoxin events.

I have 4 grandchildren that will be around tank (not in it hopefully) but was kinda "taken aback" by the whole coral / toxin thing. I don't know enough yet to make a valid decision, but was looking for input as to how serious to weigh the "dangers" of having corals.

For those of you with experience with corals what do you say?

Love this site, more info than I can absorb for a good while.

Tnx
BubbaGumpShrimp

MinnFish · 09/23/2014, 06:33 PM

Bubba, welcome to RC. I have kept a reef tanks for years. Raised a few kids while maintaining these. Never had any issues. First of all teach them that putting their dirty hands in the tank could hurt their friends (nemo, dora, etc.). My kids loves to just watch and once in awhile help feed. The risks are there, but very minimum. Happy reefing.

pyithar · 09/23/2014, 06:53 PM

welcome to reef central! as long as the corals stay in the tank, there's nothing to worry about for kids and corals. toxins will be diluted when mixed with tank water. you could also run carbon to absorb the chemicals. if you need to handle them, use gloves just to be on the safe side. good luck

shesacharmer · 09/23/2014, 08:22 PM

There would be no reason for the children to handle the coral so I'd say the risk is extremely minimal and would not keep me from having coral. Naturally the decision is entirely your own.

Sk8r · 09/23/2014, 10:20 PM

Stony coral isn't a real problem in that regard, and if you've got the light for it, it's as easy as softies, just not quite as prolific. Palys are the principal soft corals not to get if you have any remote worries about toxicity, and mostly you just don't lift them out and handle them or cut them or drink water they've been in (someone's dog allegedly did this). Most corals sting, but only if you put your hands next to them while not wearing gloves, and it's really best to wear gloves any time you handle corals, for their sakes. There are fish that are actually a bit of a worry: a rabbitfish or lionfish, eg, can deliver a nasty sting, ,and the rabbit sting can necrose. And bristleworms in the rocks make gloves a real good idea, too---painful, but harmless, and necessary to a healthy tank. As a matter of perspective I've worked with these for decades and I've never seen a case of palys poisoning, and only one case of a rabbit sting. It was not pretty. But that is the ONLY one.

If your children are extremely young I'd suggest a canopy with a strong fan kit to relieve the heat buildup, and if you have to put a lock on it, lock it with a little padlock: that should prevent experimentation---and reduce the chance they'll toss in Cheerios or your tv remote---I have no idea why remotes, but children seem to get this idea.

BubbaGumpShrimp · 09/24/2014, 07:53 AM

Great responses and thanks for your input. Especially enjoyed the comment regarding the tv remote in the tank as I have one grandson and growing granddaughter that I can totally see the light bulb going off on that idea.

I will continue to read, research, and learn, but at least I have some perspective to view the information with.

Again, love reading the information on the site, really a great resource.
Bubba

09/23/2014, 05:26 PM	#1
BubbaGumpShrimp Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: South Texas Posts: 6	To Coral or not to Coral Hello, New to site 6 wks with saltwater, had many years with fresh water. My eventual goal was to have a reef system (currently FOWLR). As I have been reading, researching, learning, I have become aware of Corals and Toxins. Read a couple articles regarding palytoxin events. I have 4 grandchildren that will be around tank (not in it hopefully) but was kinda "taken aback" by the whole coral / toxin thing. I don't know enough yet to make a valid decision, but was looking for input as to how serious to weigh the "dangers" of having corals. For those of you with experience with corals what do you say? Love this site, more info than I can absorb for a good while. Tnx BubbaGumpShrimp

09/23/2014, 06:33 PM	#2
MinnFish Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Home of 10,000 lakes Posts: 917	Bubba, welcome to RC. I have kept a reef tanks for years. Raised a few kids while maintaining these. Never had any issues. First of all teach them that putting their dirty hands in the tank could hurt their friends (nemo, dora, etc.). My kids loves to just watch and once in awhile help feed. The risks are there, but very minimum. Happy reefing. __________________ 33G Long, 4x54 watt T5, Tunze 6025, Tunze Osmolator ATO, Tunze Streamfilter 3163 Posts about moving an oversized fish to a bigger tank. Is like hearing every stripper is just working to pay for colle

09/23/2014, 06:53 PM	#3
pyithar Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: yangon,burma(myanmar) Posts: 1,786	welcome to reef central! as long as the corals stay in the tank, there's nothing to worry about for kids and corals. toxins will be diluted when mixed with tank water. you could also run carbon to absorb the chemicals. if you need to handle them, use gloves just to be on the safe side. good luck __________________ take it easy, pyithar Current Tank Info: 150G display, 50G sump, mixed reef

09/23/2014, 08:22 PM	#4
shesacharmer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Central NH Posts: 1,241	There would be no reason for the children to handle the coral so I'd say the risk is extremely minimal and would not keep me from having coral. Naturally the decision is entirely your own. __________________ 75 gal, LR w/refugium, 79 deg, PH 8.0, sg 1.025, amm 0/nit 0/nit 0, Calcium 420, dKH 8.3, mag 1300, Phos 0 Current Tank Info: A work in progress...

09/23/2014, 10:20 PM	#5
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Stony coral isn't a real problem in that regard, and if you've got the light for it, it's as easy as softies, just not quite as prolific. Palys are the principal soft corals not to get if you have any remote worries about toxicity, and mostly you just don't lift them out and handle them or cut them or drink water they've been in (someone's dog allegedly did this). Most corals sting, but only if you put your hands next to them while not wearing gloves, and it's really best to wear gloves any time you handle corals, for their sakes. There are fish that are actually a bit of a worry: a rabbitfish or lionfish, eg, can deliver a nasty sting, ,and the rabbit sting can necrose. And bristleworms in the rocks make gloves a real good idea, too---painful, but harmless, and necessary to a healthy tank. As a matter of perspective I've worked with these for decades and I've never seen a case of palys poisoning, and only one case of a rabbit sting. It was not pretty. But that is the ONLY one. If your children are extremely young I'd suggest a canopy with a strong fan kit to relieve the heat buildup, and if you have to put a lock on it, lock it with a little padlock: that should prevent experimentation---and reduce the chance they'll toss in Cheerios or your tv remote---I have no idea why remotes, but children seem to get this idea. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

09/24/2014, 07:53 AM	#6
BubbaGumpShrimp Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: South Texas Posts: 6	Great responses and thanks for your input. Especially enjoyed the comment regarding the tv remote in the tank as I have one grandson and growing granddaughter that I can totally see the light bulb going off on that idea. I will continue to read, research, and learn, but at least I have some perspective to view the information with. Again, love reading the information on the site, really a great resource. Bubba