antibacterial hand soap question and glove question

[hammcd]

another recent thread on the forum about possible airborne or introduced toxins made me think about what i introduce to my tank

i commonly wash my hands with various antibacterial handsoaps...some have various odors like vanila, etc

if i do a thorough rinse of my hands would this be harmful to my tank...i think ive done it many times although im not sure how long i let them dry before putting them into the tank

i know gloves are better and i have used non-powdered surgery gloves before

what gloves do people use to work on their tank?

 

[grouper therapy]

I wash my hands with bleach before and after. I make sure to rinse thoroughly as well.
No gloves here.

 

[misu]

I just rinse before and after and dry with paper towels, no soap. When I use gloves it's more for my protection since water will get in them when fully submerged, I'm using the costco brand surgical gloves.

 

[falos]

I use sergical hand scrub and brush I work with a lot of chemicals and heavy metals don't forgot under the nails I don't use gloves my skins to thick for bristle worm bristles

 

[raz0945]

I use the regular Dawn det.(blue bottle, only reg)then rinse my hands twice and use a towel that is only for the aquarium, take the towel with me to dry off on after i do what I'm doing in the tank.

 

[seth the wine guy]

Use use veterinarian shoulder length gloves used for cow/horse examinations. And don't even ask the question. My tank is the only thing I use them on!

 

[stacy22]

Seth The Wine Guy;705503 wrote: Use use veterinarian shoulder length gloves used for cow/horse examinations. And don't even ask the question. My tank is the only thing I use them on!

Oh NO! Here comes Seth!

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[rdnelson]

Rotflmao

 

[jennm]

I use antibacterial (and non... whatever was on sale) soap. I rinse thoroughly. I'm in and out of the water all day, every day, so it's second nature to me to make sure that hands are not just clean, but free of residual soap etc. I don't use lotion unless I know I'll be away from the shop for several days (and in winter I have alligator hands to show for it!)

I don't use gloves, but if it makes one more comfortable to do so, do so.

I have a set of towels I use at the shop (old, threadbare ones - we call 'em "victims"). I wash them like I would any other towels, with detergent and fabric softener. I pat my hands/arms dry, as rubbing makes dry skin even worse, particularly in colder/drier weather. I don't put the towels in the tanks, so that's really not a big deal.

One doesn't have to be crazy anal about putting hands in the tank but one should use some common sense. If your everyday work makes your hands dirty/grimy, then extra care in washing, or gloves, might be a good idea, but for most of us, a regular wash and careful rinse should suffice.

The toxins that get into tanks usually come from either lotions or other topical stuff ON the hands that wasn't washed off at all, and introduced accidentally, or airborne stuff like Febreeze, Windex, and air fresheners that atomize scented oils into the air.

Exterminators who aren't versed in how to work around tanks can also wipe out a tank in a hurry. Well trained exterminators can do their job effectively without wiping out your tank.

Jenn