Dropped my aquarium light into the tank!

Well, my dad generously gave me his full spectrum hydroponics light. It’s waterproof, and it’s longer than my aquarium. For some reason, 2 days later, the aquarium braces fell off, one by one that day (one in the morning and evening) the one that fell off in the evening made my small (only 86cm, my tank is 1M) original aquarium light fall into the water. It was already turned off. I only saw it when I came downstairs, so IDK how long it’s been in there. Well I took it out and it’s been left for 4 days in the dry. Is it safe to try it and see if it works?

 

I suppose you can, but keep your hand close to a switch or the cord to unplug it. Very well may have shorted out something in the interior.

 

I would be careful, I think wearing rubber gloves makeshift any electrocution less strong, I could be wrong.

 

I hope your electrical outlet is protected by a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter). Like drinking and driving, water and electricity do not belong together.

I have a Hygger aquarium light that is fully waterproof as well, but I have had many lights over the years that were not. I have also had submersible heaters break or leak allowing water to contact the electrical components.

There are various types of GFCI devices. Some install in your electrical panel. Some replace the wall outlet. Some are designed for temporary/portable use and plug into your existing outlet. If you do not have the electrical skills to rewire an outlet or electrical panel, at least get one of the plug in units, although hardwired is better.

If you already have a GFCI, wonderful. Your situation provided an ideal reminder to all fishkeepers that a GFCI is needed for every aquarium.

 

I hope your electrical outlet is protected by a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter). Like drinking and driving, water and electricity do not belong together.

I have a Hygger aquarium light that is fully waterproof as well, but I have had many lights over the years that were not. I have also had submersible heaters break or leak allowing water to contact the electrical components.

There are various types of GFCI devices. Some install in your electrical panel. Some replace the wall outlet. Some are designed for temporary/portable use and plug into your existing outlet. If you do not have the electrical skills to rewire an outlet or electrical panel, at least get one of the plug in units, although hardwired is better.

If you already have a GFCI, wonderful. Your situation provided an ideal reminder to all fishkeepers that a GFCI is needed for every aquarium.

Unfortunately I don’t have a GFCI. But thanks for the info anyway.

 

Unfortunately I don’t have a GFCI. But thanks for the info anyway.

Since you live in Malaysia, I do not know what might be available in terms of a GFCI. I am only familiar with North American standard wiring. Perhaps someone from another continent can comment.

It is a good thing your ldight was waterproof as you and your fish might have been electrocuted.

 

It does depend though, on what type of light you are using. Many newer LED lights have a 'brick' transformer so that (in the US) 120v AC is converted to 12v DC. These are quite safe, as 12v DC directly in water will pose no risk to you, where, as noted, 120v AC and water can be a deadly combo. If you have such a DC light, it might well have survived the dunking, or it might 'pop' and smoke a bit in a sad failure. I have had both results from accidental light washing!

 

Well I tested it few days ago and its fine. Phew.

 

Well yeah yesterday my aquarium light fell into the water, I have a spare light, I panicked but today, something happened that makes what happened yesterday no biggie. Well this morning woke up happy and fresh, then went out to go for my morning class. My tank was in the porch and it was leaking. Just a few drops at first, then I tried to dry it but pushing on the side (drying it) was the worst thing to do. A tiny stream came out, but I had to go for class. So I went, and when I was coming home my driver told me that the tank was already half empty. Upon arriving, I saw my little sister and my older brother catching the fish out. I was okay with that, but I asked where they were putting the fish. In little containers with plain tap water!! I quickly moved them to an already-set-up spare tank(actually it’s a storage box but they work fine as quarantine tanks or Shrimp tanks), and added Seachem Prime. My electric blue acara jumped out of the container when my sis was bringing the container to the breeding tank. I caught the rest of the fish myself using the ‘two nets’ method which works great. After that, I took my dad’s
4-nozzle air-adjustable air pump and added all the sponge filters I could. (2 uncycled and 1 cycled from the fish tank) I couldn’t add my 1500l/h main filter because it had destroyed itself
as it wasn’t completely submerged. Well I had to clean the sponge filter that was in there to use it. I cleaned it in a container of tank water. The water was soo dirty and the sponge filter still let out some murky water when I put it in the fish tank. Luckily it’s cleared up now.
well my dad just told me that I was lucky he came out when he did, coz the seam had broken and water was gushing out like a pond’s waterfall. He had held the seam back together and added waterproof tape. That really helped and slowed the leak to a drop. Well now I drained the tank, I am going to remove the sand and clean it up. What I am going to do after that is not decided yet. Maybe I’ll get it resealed by a professional, I’m terrible at resealing.
Pictures below from left to right:
Spare tank they are in
Air pump
Container I washed the sponge filter in
Sealed up tank
Broken seam
DIY storage box shrimp tank
Broken filter
Btw, now the fish are active and the tetras are now resuming their normal bright colours. My lone guppy which has lived 6 mts in this tank is nearing the end of his life. He just sits at the top of the tank. Also, I’m going to add another spare storage box tank as the current one is horribly overstocked (12g). 2 sponge filters for each tank, one diy sponge filter.
They will be ok in these tanks as there are lots of ammonia sucking plants. I hate to think what would have happened if my dad wasn’t there. I would have come home to fish all over the floor. I had to be calm about this also as I would have gotten a headache if not.

 

Oh no, what a disaster sounds like you have done the best you can to give your fish a good temporary home. Hope everything goes OK from now on!

 

Oh no, what a disaster sounds like you have done the best you can to give your fish a good temporary home. Hope everything goes OK from now on!

Yes, happened so suddenly too. One of the downsides of a second hand aquarium.

 

Oh no! Tank disasters suck.