hands in tank....

[maffu]

Just a quickie... before putting your hands in a tank is there anything anyone does to ensure minimal risk of contamination or introduction of unwanted elements?

clearly a bad idea to be sticking your hands in directly after :

-use of soap
-use of hand cream
-use of cosmetics
-use of household clenaing products
-gardening etc etc etc.....

But does anyone do anything to arms\hands before delving into the tank... not that I am suggesting that we should all have our hands in there each day and everyday of course!

Or am I being overly concerned about nothing!

I am fully prepared to be told that I am being daft and worrying about nothing!

Thanks

Matt

[Gina]

The concerns above are pretty much all I worry about. Mostly soaps and chemicals. Just make sure hands and arms are clean.
You may be a little overly concerned.

[Xanareef]

Rinsing your hands in hot water can remove a lot of the natural oil's on your hands and arms, if that's what you're worried about. It won't remove all of it.

Alexis

[maffu]

excellent Gina and Xanareef.... thanks... just one of those things that you think about in odd moment's... when you hope you havent missed something blindingly obvious!

Feel neatly re-assured thanks

Matt

[Curtswearing]

It's very important to wash your hands AFTER you take them out of the tank as well. Perhaps even more important.

There's no reason to be worried about the following link. It's just important to know the facts.

Reefkeeping Dangers

[Cougra]

Personally, I never put my hands in a tank without a pair of long gloves on. These gloves are used only in the tank and gets cleaned/rinsed in RO water before and after each usage. I feel it's the best protection for my tank and myself.

[Woodstock]

Well, I am a girl so I use lotions, perfume and I usually have dishwashing liquid on my hands too sooo I atleast rinse my arms and hands well with very warm water... but try to take the time to wash with vinegar and then rinse well. Then vinegar quickly strips away any perfume or soap residue.

I REALLY need to get in the habit of washing AFTERwards!

[Woodstock]

Cougra, i need a pair of long gloves really bad! That's a good idea!

[maffu]

Good call Curtswearing.... the thread you posted is a good read... if a little gruesome.. and can trully put you off ever putting your hands in!!!

I have to say I cleaned my mech. filtes for the first time last evening and all I can say is that I wish I had got gloves to hand...

[Witfull]

if i think about it i will wash with hot water and rinse with RO/DI. but usually i just think...what have i touched lately? i will wash afterwards. i hate that sticky drying salt feeling...lol

[sorcerer]

I were those long gloves Michelle is talking about, if I don't I end up with bite marks from my nasty female clown.....She has turned into a real pain.

[Hooked]

Hey Michelle, what gloves do you use? I have the orange and purple ones, but they're awkward and sprung a leak at the seam in a short while. I also tried the Tunze's which are thin and have great feel, but leak easily. Is there anything else out there?

TIA

[ScottT1980]

Go to your local vet and ask if you can buy "palpation gloves" I think those are the gloves cougra is talking about...

You can also do a search online for palpation gloves or even go to southern states, they should have them...

Take er easy
Scott T.

[Hooked]

Thanks ScottT,

You must be a mindreader, I swear we were typing at the same time

[ScottT1980]

Yeah, and just ust a hemostat, clothes line clip, or something similar and clip it to your shirt sleeve. Otherwise, you might get an arm full of water (instead, try this with an arm full of poop...been there done that)...

Take er easy
Scott T.