Much sadness, confusion, and guilt : Fire!

[janetora]

I'm sitting at home and not getting ready for work this morning because one of my lights on my tank caught on fire early yesterday morning and burned my down my tanks, equipment, everything and near by things. My classroom is a total loss! I am so devastated! The lost of my system, my fish, the corals I have just started thanks to so many of you. I had just got my sump up and running. I built my own skimmer and over flow system. The time and hours we all put into our tanks! But also the guilt I feel! If I had not had the tank at my school this would have not happened! My whole school is closed and they are not sure when they will be open. The sprinkler system put out the fire but flooded 80% of my school. I was told the water that first comes out of the system is considered the same as sewage and contaminates everything! I will miss having the all the kids come a look at the tank! They would bring the babies down to look at the "Nemos"

I was told that the light that they think caught fire was new. It was a led type off of ebay. They were the kind that looked like a flood lights. I had got a 12000k on and actinic both 30 watts.

Thanks again for all your help, support, and wonderful information! It was nice meeting all of you at FRAG!

[bugs713]

So sorry to hear this!! I know you feel guilty, but things happen.

Can you post the name of these Ebay lights? People need to know about them as it could save someone life!

[Stolireef]

I'm so sorry for your loss. But, please don't feel guilty. It could just as easily have been a ballast in a normal flourescent light in the hallway, or a desk lamp, or whatever else can go wrong for no apparent reason. Nobody was injured and that is the true blessing.

I know you're hurting now but, if you have it, please post details about the fixture so others here on RC and elsewhere can be alerted to the possible danger. Also, when your ready, I'm sure you can count on this community to get you started again.

[summitwynds]

My sympathies to you. Please let others know the type of light this is. In 1996 I had a barn fire because of a failure with a fluorescent light fixture. I lost 3 horses, a dog and a cat. To anyone with a barn.... Please do not use fluorescent lights, use the ones that are meant for barns and are vapor resistant.

[AZ_reefer]

I'm sorry to hear about your misfortune. At least no one was hurt.

[jporter]

So sorry to hear! It was really nice meeting you at the XMas meeting. As others have said, there will be plenty of help to get you going with another tank. I hope this hasn't soured the school from allowing you one. Let me know if I can assist. Jeff

[zibba]

That is really terrible news! But, like others have said, at least no one was hurt. Keep your head up.

[Weyrman]

Wow! Good news is no one was hurt.

Showing the kids how to pick up the pieces and start over again with gusto will be a good learning experience for them. I'll save another head of that hammer coral I gave you for the rebuild.

[JMCAquarium]

Like the others have said Janet sorry all the hard work and the loss the kids will experience as alot of kids will never see a salt tank until adults.
Great news no one got hurt and the school isnt being nasty about it even though I'm sure they Ok'ed the tank.
The water in those sprinklers sit there for years getting nasty. a couple of months ago they set the system off in the parking garage on purpose just to clear the lines and the first 2-3 seconds was just black slime and rust.
Maybe once all is restored they will let you do just a simple freshy tank to at least let the kids enjoy.
Agian Sorry

[Frick]

Holy cow! That's terrible. If there is a chance you want to restart, let us know. I could donate somethings.

I have never had good luck with getting electronics off eBay. I get my flashlights off trusted vendors but that is as far as I'll go. Is there any way you can contact that seller? I'm sure they'll run for the hills if they hear this tho. :/

[Andrew17030]

There is usually something valuable to take away from even the most horrible of experiences. It may not be evident in the face of the destruction but it will show up. Sorry for you loss.

[janetora]

Thank you for all the kind words! I was in our building for the first time yesterday. Except for the burned pile that was my tank, my classroom looks almost the same. But because of the water damage my room plus eight others are a complete loss. They are talking about a half a million or something like that in cost. Sorry for the blubbering but it hard because everyone says "just an accident" but they look at me like it's my fault! Anyway here is the link http://www.ebay.com/itm/281021489328...84.m1423.l2649 of what I bought. Cameras have it smoking and then catching on fire. Poof! It started in the LED light housing.
I sure no more tanks at school but I'm hooked now so at some point I will set a system at home. Now I have to complete a list of value and all the stuff I lost.

[JMCAquarium]

>:O
Not your fault hun you were trying to expand the minds of our young ones.....trust me this day and age they need it. Back in my day long long ago........15 years we would have killed to have a fish tank in our Science room or anywhere for that matter.

[reefstew]

I think it will be hard for the school to have you set up another tank with the tight budget but a lot of people out here including myself would donate things to help you.

[Raptor72]

Wow! I was going to buy that lamp last month. Sorry to hear about your troubles.

[ademster]

I have a 50gal tall tank, with stand, hood, light, (needs new bulbs) over flow box, sump, pump.

For you ill sell it at $1.00 gallon.$50.00 with everything included

[swishb]

Sorry to hear of your troubles, always willing to help with rebuilding.

[janetora]

Thanks again for everyone's support!! Here is the link to our school http://www.evjcc.org/ and if you would like there is a Donate/Support button. It's tax deductible and you have until midnight to put it on you 2012 taxes!