Hands in tank

[cato]

I know it's best to keep your hands out of the tank as much as possible. If I have to put them in the tank, and don't have gloves yet, would rinsing my hands in a vinigar and water solution help?:beachbum:

[AEALOVESHERGIRLS]

I never personally did that. I just washed/rinsed/dried really thoroughly before putting my hands in the tank.


Amanda

[cato]

Do the majority of reefers use gloves when they have to put their hands in the tank?

[tankbuilder]

I wash before and real well after. One round of micobacterium marinum was more than enough for me! It is a nastey bacterial infection I picked up in my tank.

[AEALOVESHERGIRLS]

Technically, you should really wear gloves. There are lots of corals that have toxins and you never know which you might have an allergic reaction to. Also, say you slightly scratch your skin on a piece of live rock, well, there is lots of bacteria in the water that could cause you to get really sick. It has happened to several reefers. Yes, you should wear gloves, but the reality of it is, most don't.

I tried wearing gloves, I couldn't get a good grip on things and water always got into my gloves.

Amanda

[phenom5]

yup, like aealove said. you should where gloves, but a lot of people don't. they're such a PITA.

[rkehockey16]

i have never worn gloves i just wash my hand in water, but with no soap and dry very good and dig in. i have never been stung by any of my coral, but i do use nets when at all possible.

[cato]

Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated.:)

[Teremei]

Wash with cold water thoroughly and dry completly before. And wash real good afterward. Those think rubble gloves suck water keeps getting in them. But people have said they use latex gloves from the vet (unpowdered) which are good.

[JonnyD91]

yea gloves might be a good thing i picke up my purple acro the other day and pulled my hand out of the water wil many bubbles on it that looked like stings. that suked

[dots]

The way my hand smells after messing with my sebae is enough to start wearing gloves....WHEW!!!

And to top it off after I wash my hands, THEY STILL STINK.

[aquaman67]

tankbuilder,

[welcome]

And everyone read this before you decide to put your naked hand in your tank again.

This is the micobacterium marinum tankbuilder was talking about.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=414029

[rjwilson37]

hmmm.. crud... I dont wear gloves and that was a scary thread with the exploding thumb.

[cato]

MAN! Just read all the stuff on that link. I'm definitely getting some gloves. Nuf said.

[tankbuilder]

Micobacterium Marinum is not something I'd wish on my worst enemy! Anti-biotics ( one for TB ) and blood tests once a week for eight months. Oh yeah, that was after surgery to remove the bulk of the infection. Wear gloves and wash real good!

[tankbuilder]

Just read Aquaman67's experience. Mine wasn't that bad, but bad enough. BTW, thanks for the welcome! Great sight for a great hobby!

[lossman]

You can get inexpensive vet gloves at KV Vet Supply Co. They have a website www.kvvet.com. We purchased 100 80425 OB Sleeves (come up to your armpits) for $14.00. Water still gets in them but since you get so many of them for such a cheap price, it's simple enough to just toss them when done fooling around in the tank. Plus, they are thin enough for plucking hair algae or other delicate tasks that you need to feel what you are doing. :)