Just spilled a beer in my sump......
 

I just put an open beer on top of my collection cup of my skimmer, just for a minute while doing maintenance, and the vibration knocked a full beer into my sump. I immediately killed the return pump, so hopefully very little made its way into the main tank. Needless to say the skimmer is going nutz..... So far so good, the skimmer and active carbon will hopefully remove the hops and barley from the water, and will resume normal tomorrow. Just thought I would share my bonehead move of the day....... Anyone else out there have an accident similair?

We had a party one time and some A-hole dumped a half empty beer into my room mates fresh water setup and it was devestating. Ruined the whole setup and killed everything in a matter of hours. Since then I have made an extra effort not to mix drinks in the aquarium. It's workin out so far.

Its just the blue collar mans version of vodka dosing- your tank should look amazing within the next couple weeks.. lol

I would suggest draining the sump- the stuff really is pretty toxic to reef critters; dont rely on your equipment to pull it all out for you. Its much better to be safe than to take your chances simply turning the return pump back on.

agreed. hopefully you got the return pump turned off before much of it made it to the tank..

I would say ya gotta dump the sump. And give several water changes in the main tank! I think alcohol even in a small dose will remove the slime coat on fish at the VERY least.

I'm glad that didn't happen to me. Cuz I would prolly set down and had a beer with them :lol:
Not realizing it would've been devestating to the tank.

are any of your fish talking louder than normal and trying to bum a smioke from each other

I'd change out 100% of the water in the sump. I'd rather have saltwater that is poorly mixed in my tank than any poisons from the beer.

I'd think the main worry might be from the hops... some people dose sugar and vodka (thought I wouldn't, just don't seem right) and an overdose seems to make the tank cloudy and perhaps drop the O2 levels (which is a danger)

I'd be worried what the hop acids would do as they are a bacteriostatic antibiotic agent and would inhibit the growth of new bacteria at a minimum

I guess I'd have to vote for a water change as well, just in case...

Let us know what you do and what happens over the next few days.

Update.....
I did not change the water from the sump, I left the sump to skim itself for about 8 hours, I do run GFO in a reactor, as well as GAC in a reactor, and my skimmer is 5x over-rated for my tank. I also dose C-sources as well, and am very familiar with an overdose, and its effects(cloudy water). I powered up the return line an hour ago, and everything seems normal. All sps showing great signs of PE, zoos completely unaffected, fish swimming/ acting normal, and no other observed deaths. I think about 3/4 of a 12 oz Bud Light made its way into the sump, and I was lucky to catch the mistake before the beer made its way into the main tank. I know I am not in the clear yet, but initial signs lend me to believe that I got lucky this time.....I will keep everyone posted.

I don't think half a beer would be a big deal in 40+ gallons, the alcohol volume is insignificant (unlike vodka).

Please post any adverse effects, I'm curious now.

Glad to hear nothing was affected. I think at this point you'll be fine. I am a bit surprised though- since your system is so small.

:lol: didn't cause any problems due to your beer actually being colored water ;)

Try this with Guiness :smokin:

I think I definetly would have had some larger issues if the beer was more than just water.....lol...
Guiness would be a completely different issue....
2.5 hours into the maintank being inline, and although the lights are not on yet, the sps corals still show great PE, and the fish are waking up, and look unaffected. I will update the thread later today when lights are on...

+1 on the light beer jokes! LOL I don't think there is any hops in BL. Try an IPA. That would get your tank rock'n all night.

JMO

Try a Duvel or a La Fin du Monde next time :lol:

no dogfishhead 90min IPA for you :D

You may have to drop a few advil in there now for the hangover everyone is going to have.

Just observed the tank again with the lights on and everything is well, my female perc is picking on the male, they still are yet to pair. The chromis are swimming out in the open, hungry as usual. All the corals still showing great PE, and I think it is safe to say all is well. Of all the measures we take to wash our hands, no aerosols, no bug spraying, etc. and almost a beer gets dumped in with no observed issues..... Luck, I guess. So on with the beer jokes everyone, have yourself a cold one for me, and happy 4th!

I have heard of people using Bud Light in new tanks to add an ammonia surce and help them cycle. There is some controversy over hormones and antibiotics.

Wait no, that's pee. I always get the two confused.

Ya, I think it's more like they drank a bud light and took a wiz in the tank to start the cycle :lol:

Your damsels will get beer goggles and start getting frisky with your tangs.

I was trying to insinuate that Bud Light taste like urine. :D

"Bud Light salutes Real Men of Genius"

Today we salute you, Mr. I'll use my Bud Light as top-off water.