The Tragedy of 99%
My roseband wrasse died due to my negligence.
After routine cleaning of the sand bed, I place the jump guard back as usual. This time round, I didn't put it back properly, and there is a 1/2 inch gap between the panels.
Well.
The 1/2 inch thick fish through sheer will and coincidence, jump through the 1/2 inch gap, trapped on top of the jump guard, and died.
99% of my tank was covered. 1% killed the fish.
The Lesson of Inevitability
We always hope the aquarium is accident free. However, hope is after all, hope. Without warning, a sea cucumber may decide to sleep at the over flow and block it; an anemone may decide to put it's foot through a wave maker. Or maybe a turbo snail may decide to knock over the most expensive frag, so that it drop into the arms of a torch coral.
No, it doesn't happen often. It probably doesn't happen for many years. But remember, all it takes is once, and the damage is permenant.
Given the confine of the aquarium, it's not the question of if, but a question of when, the misfortune will happen.
So, as reefers, we need to be vigilant. Don't let the 1% carelessness undo the diligence of 99%
*looks like I have to get a roseband wrasse again.