Smoking In Same Room As Fish Tanks

[Orbit887]

Just out of interest, how much smoke from the air and does anything much in smoke from the air easily diffuse and transfer into fish tanks in the same room?

I'm wondering becasue I'm a smoker (yes I know it's probably not the best thing in the world for me) and in my bedroom have 2 tanks, one of which is an Aquaqube, so doesn't really have full covering over the top of it, which would allow easier diffusion from particles in the air into the water.

Has anyone got any info on this? It's one thing to slowly kill myself, but don't really wanna inflict anything on the fish, they've got enough to worry about seeing my face peering through the glass at them everyday. Also if there's one or a small number of chemicals/particles that slowly diffuse into the tank that's obvioiusly extra pollution in a refined eco system that shouldn't be there!

Thanks

 

[Bloo]

There are quite a few older threads on this topic floating around. Actually, here it is.

I can just reiterate - I once bought a second hand from someone (the tank was sitting empty for many months) and it absolutely stank to high heavens. And putting the light on made it even worse.
So, no you probably won't see your fish keel over instantly. But just as you know what smoking does to your inside, it must (in my opinion) affect that of a fish.

But perhaps this would be something for the new-to-be-science-forum to discuss?

 

[Orbit887]

There are quite a few older threads on this topic floating around. Actually, here it is.

I can just reiterate - I once bought a second hand from someone (the tank was sitting empty for many months) and it absolutely stank to high heavens. And putting the light on made it even worse.
So, no you probably won't see your fish keel over instantly. But just as you know what smoking does to your inside, it must (in my opinion) affect that of a fish.

But perhaps this would be something for the new-to-be-science-forum to discuss?

Thanks very much for digging up that link, was a very interesting read, with lots of varrying opinions and views on the subject.

Definately some stuff in there to bear in mind and consider, however it's not conclusive one way or the other!

The more I hear and read about this proposed science discussion forum thingy the keener I am to get it up and start reading through the facts in it!

 

[dc3]

Orbit - I have often pondered the same question - my dad used to smoke for several years (quit a while back) and we've always had fish during that time - they seemed to behave normally enough, grew up well and spawned - their offspring seemed fine too... several of my mates in college have bettas and they "smoke" in the same room too. That smoking has consequences is beyond argument - the magnitude of the impact - let's say the fish are more likely to die from improper maintenance or equipment failure or impromptu snacking by other fish than from second-hand-smoking... just my two cents (I heard a country song kinda like that on the radio yesterday)

 

[karmagl]

I was worried because I have a wood stove. Fish guy told me you don't want dust from your ciggarette smoke to go into your water. The wood stove not as bad but we still bought a fitted glass top. I wouldn't smoke in the same room as your tanks and maybe smoke by the window or outside

 

[chilledtim]

Ive wondered the same about burning insence in my room. my airpumps on the floor tho and even when the smell of insence fills the room there doesnt seem to be much smell for the first 1ft off the ground (yes i got flat on my belly and sniffed)

 

[tetraqueen]

well pollutants are pollutants or typos are my typos but we live with them .

I was told I use too much cleaner and air freshners etc etc and well as long as you test the water you'll only find out if you stopped and then with all that coughing and yuck you'll pollute the air with cancer sticks,

old die of cancer smokers die yes it can only be inconclusive.

I'm overweight rob that for being bad to fish.

Sorry on my high horse.

 

[Bignose]

I would highly doubt that anyone has done a study on the effects of smoking on fish. Research is driven by money, and for the life of me, I cannot think of any organization that would pay for someone to research that. Now, that said, I can say without a doubt, if it is in the air, it will get in the tank. The molecules that make up the scent will diffuse everywhere, including the air above the tank which means some of the molecules will settle on the surface of the tank and enter the water. How many is the real question. I really do not know. My guess is that it is not very much at all.

But, if you are performing your regular water changes, you will be diluting out and eventually removing these molecules anyway. So, coupled with the fact that in most cases the concentration of smoke molcules or incense molecules will be very low in the tank, and if you are performing the regular water changes you will be diluting & removing them anyway, I don't think that this is a big issue. I cannot say that about 100% of the cases. If you are smoking two packs a day right over top the fishtank, obviosuly more is going to enter the water than if you have 1 or 2 or 3 a night just in the same room as the tank. But, I think that for most smokers, the fish are not going to be impacted at all.

 

[guppymonkey]

Smoking is bad for the fish and I doubt anyone is going to argue that fact but it is also bad for your fish equipment. The tar and smoke from cigarettes will clog air pumps very quickly and the air tubing can clog also. If the smoking is bad enough it can even leave a resin-like film on the top of the tank and yellow water spots where the smoke combines with the condensation on the tank.

 

[Danno]

I can just see it now...little hoarse talking cichlids wanting to know whats on the tube...

*cough* Simpsons Joke *cough*

haha...a pun..

Oh jeez.

But all in sincerity, I don't think it would really matter.

 

[Bignose]

The tar and smoke from cigarettes will clog air pumps very quickly and the air tubing can clog also. If the smoking is bad enough it can even leave a resin-like film on the top of the tank and yellow water spots where the smoke combines with the condensation on the tank.

Define "very quickly". To me, this kind of build up would take years, and probably could be prevented with regular cleaning and maintenence. If it is any faster than that, I'd like to see some pictures/proof.

Also, I suspect that it would take a very large amount of smoking to make a film. The film is much more likely from the organics in the tank, it doesn't require smoking. Also, the water changes would have to be neglected for quite some time in order for the film to build up. Again, if you perform regular water changes, risk from smoking is very, very low on the list of possible problems for the fish.