Amazing...

[techen]

So normally I do a waterchange on my 450 litre every sunday, Welp. I did it this sunday, Drained it via the filter and got my hose and started to fill it, Normally I go onto my computer and let it fill with a timer on however I forgot my timer and well, The time I got back down the stairs the tank was overflowing onto the floor, The lights were pretty much underwater and the temp dropped so much the fish looked dead to me.
 
Well, After cleaning up the entire living room I tried the lights and well, Being underwater like they were they didn't turn on. Infact am shocked that it didnt nuke my tank but they are sealed ish so who knows. I let them dry out for a day and both units are working again. That saves me a ton of money.
 
All the fish are accounted for as well, I never lost any fish, So all in all I learned my lesson at no loss... Well... I say that, I missed a tetra when I removed them and well when I went in the next morning my reed fish was eating him >:C Not much I could do about that but yea.....
 
So thar ya go, Fish keeping sucks

 

[LyraGuppi]

Woah, you were lucky there!

 

[Ch4rlie]

Sounds like you did indeed get lucky.
 
Lessons to be learned here for all in this fish keeping hobby.
 
I have heard of far worse outcomes when it comes to waterchanges either in forgetting to stop water being syphoned out or in re-filling the tank.
 
Lets hope that was the worst of it, just losing one tetra.
 
Lucky escape

 

[Lanzuis]

Phew - talk about a close call!

Well no fish died in the end so luck played in your favor.

 

[NeonTetra97]

Wow, makes me more careful about water changes! Shows how quickly things can go wrong, glad to hear all the lights were still working. Have you ever seen video? A really simple water alarm that may be able to help alert us to leaks or even when a tank is done filling up. I keep meaning to make one, and I think your story will make me finally get round to doing it, thanks for sharing

 

[sawickib]

You had much better luck than me lol

 

[Tongue_Flicker]

Good lesson not leave any wayer flowing unattended lol

 

[Gruntle]

I saw a cheap alarm advertised in a catalogue (Innovations) recently. "Just a few drops of water will set off an 85dB alarm." In Australia they're $20 for three, and at under 2" tall would probably fit inside most tank stands. I'm wondering whether I should get some.
 
Battery is sealed inside but I'm not sure how long they last. Probably good insurance though.

I think I saw someone built a DIY setup that would alert when water got to a certain depth in the tank, because on reflection this device may not have saved your light situation.