Help! I stuck my Hand In Tank After Spraying Mosquito Spray

[FishGuest5123]

Went to grand daughters T-ball game and sprayed my arms lightly for mosquitos. About 1.5 hours later I saw something odd in 55G tank and stuck my hand in to get it. I immediately thought of the spray. I drained 50% of the water and refilled it. Should I add carbon? Any suggestions?

 

[Metalhead88]

I have no idea if this would be harmful.... Or if carbon will help.

Maybe throw the carbon in, it won't hurt...and do another big wc tomorrow.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Yeah, I'd try the carbon and WCs. Was this deet spray? A quick search shows that low levels of deet can become toxic to fish over time, so I'd advise playing it safe.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Then there's this, though:
"The World Aquaculture Society considers the concentration of DEET required to harm fish so high that it’s 'to be considered practically nontoxic.'"

So, I'd probably still do the carbon, but I think it's OK to not be too terribly anxious about it.

 

[FishGuest5123]

Yeah, I'd try the carbon and WCs. Was this deet spray? A quick search shows that low levels of deet can become toxic to fish over time, so I'd advise playing it safe.

Yes, it contained deet.

 

[Metalhead88]

I think even the toxic "over time" is reasurring.

It wasn't a direct spray and water changes will dilute it further until it's gone.

 

[AtomicFish]

Yep I probably would of washed your arm off before reaching inside the tank.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Yep I probably would of washed your arm off before reaching inside the tank.

Kind of reminds me of how my mom used to tell me "Be careful!" after I crashed my bike...

 

[Barry Tetra]

Do couple of big water changes but I don't think mosquito spray are that dangerous.

what is in the tank?

 

[FishGuest5123]

I think even the toxic "over time" is reasurring.

It wasn't a direct spray and water changes will dilute it further until it's gone.

Thanks. That makes me feel better. I’ll do another change in A.M.

Yep I probably would of washed your arm off before reaching inside the tank.

I think I probably would have too if I had thought about it. Lol!

 

[FishGuest5123]

Do couple of big water changes but I don't think mosquito spray are that dangerous.

what is in the tank?

Neons and cories.

 

[FishGuest5123]

Kind of reminds me of how my mom used to tell me "Be careful!" after I crashed my bike...

Funny!

 

[AilyNC]

It's happened me. With sun tan lotion and bug spray. I did water change and everything was fine.

It's an easy mistake. Don't beat yourself up over it.

 

[Colin_T]

As others have said, add carbon and do daily water changes for a week to make sure there is nothing left in the tank.

Turn the filter/ aeration off for a couple of minutes each day and use a paper towel to blot anything off the surface. Do this for a week before doing the water change. Some bug repellents float on the surface and the paper towel/s should help remove any that is there.

Make sure you turn the filter back on after.