A really DUMB question - ARMS IN WATER??

[Gennifer]

Okay, this is going to sound stupid, but we're totally new at this, and we're trying to rule out some things we might be doing wrong.

My hubby wants to know if it's bad to put your hands and arms into the tank while moving things around, etc. Does this put "bad things" into the water off your hands/skin etc.??

My step-mom says we should wear gloves when "entering" the tank. Does everyone wear gloves, or do you just wash your hands/arms good before putting them in?




~ Gennifer

 

[corykitty516]

I put my hands and arms in my tanks all the time. I also dont wear perfume or lotions with perfumes. I wash my hands with liquid soap and rinse and dry thoroughly. I've been taking aqua aerobics lately and I've been actually rinsing my hands with a dechlorinator until I cant smell the chlorine any more.

Depending how deep your tanks are you'd need some really long gloves to be effective

There are bacteria that you can get an infection from in fish tanks but it RARELY happens.

I say only use gloves if you have a cut or sore or something.

 

[Ben]

i always wash my hands before putting them in the tank as some harmful chemical couldve come on me.

DD

 

[Spilk]

My parents tried to make me paranoid about this for some reason, but the fact is that if you keep your tank clean and the water changed than you should be in no more danger than your fish

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Wash before and after.

Before to prevent stuff from hurting the fish.

After to prevent salmonella and other diseases, especially if you have cuts.

None of this is necessary. Chances are your fish won't get hurt (provided your hands are free from pollutants), but you're taking somewhat of a risk when you put your hands in the tank.

 

[gale]

I usually have cuts (dry cracking skin) and I haven't had any problem with putting my hands in my tanks. But to minimize it I just got some of those long pincher/cutter things. If you really do want gloves you can order long ones from drs. foster & smith's website.

btw I wash before and rinse super well (because I always have trouble getting all of the soap off) and dry, and then wash well afterwards too.

 

[paulthegreat]

I actually went a day without putting my hand in the tanks! As noted before be sure hands are clean and avoid putting them in with open wounds or sores. If you have a such then gloves or a freezer bag or the like can work fine. Those white, kitchen trash bags should be long enough for most tanks.HTH

 

[Gennifer]

Thanks guys - I didn't figure it was too big of a deal, but we're basically washing hands good before and after, and I wasn't paranoid about wearing gloves, that's just my step-mom's advice, because she's paranoid! LOL

I think my hubby was mainly wanting to rule out that we were possibly polluting the water by having our hands in it, and we just wanted to check and see what everyone else does, just for our info.

You've all been very helpful, so thanks!

 

[lillibirdy]

I also wondered this. I use lotion several times a day, it seems to be soaked in and I don't put my hands in the tank right after of course, but how long do you all think is safe that remnants of the lotion won't come off? Is rinsing hands good enough cause I am not confident I will get all the soap off...
KathyW

 

[Jen]

I never use soap before i stick my hands in. I wear long sleeves most of the time, so I just rince them off and try to get it as clean as i can without soap. As for the lotion... you might want to wait an hour or so. When your arms dont feel greasy anymore and dont smell like you just put it on, i'd just hit the sink and wipe them off you should be fine

ps... no question is dumb! You dont know and want to find out for the safety of your fish... I'd say thats a smart question!

 

[DannyBoy17]

Oh man, I must be a Neanderthal....lol I just dive right in! After rolling up my sleeve...when I remember

 

[OohFeeshy]

I just stick my hands in and was them after. Well, it's omly a 5 gal so not much point in getting grabber things yet.

 

[Lynz781]

But wouldn't it be bad to get some soap residue in the tank after washing?

 

[Jen]

But wouldn't it be bad to get some soap residue in the tank after washing?

thats why i only 'wash' with water. I just get my arms wet and pretend to lather up

 

[StarOrbs]

Oh man, I must be a Neanderthal....lol I just dive right in! After rolling up my sleeve...when I remember

LOL, thats what I do usually.. I usually get my shirt wet though.. So I only mess with the tank before I'm going to change usually.. lol