Does anyone else dislike putting their hand into the tank?

[Miami Reef]

I’ve been avoiding tank activities that involve me sticking my hand in the water.

It’s pretty tall at 26”, so activities usually involve the entire arm, something even up to my armpit.

It’s not clean at all — saltwater gets on the tank brace, sometimes even the front glass. The floor almost always gets wet.

Then I have to wash my entire arm in the sink…

But then I realize I have to enter my entire arm in the tank to do something else, so the whole cycle repeats. :dizzy-face:


Anyone else avoiding in-tank chores?

 

[smitten with ocean life]

i try to keep my hands out of the tank :rolleyes:. doesnt usually work! and once i am in, i can hardly get out. i can fiddle around with stuff for hours:squinting-face-with-tongue:!! poor tank!

 

[Uncle99]

I’ve been avoiding tank activities that involve me sticking my hand in the water.

It’s pretty tall at 26”, so activities usually involve the entire arm, something even up to my armpit.

It’s not clean at all — saltwater gets on the tank brace, sometimes even the front glass. The floor almost always gets wet.

Then I have to wash my entire arm in the sink…

But then I realize I have to enter my entire arm in the tank to do something else, so the whole cycle repeats. :dizzy-face:


Anyone else avoiding in-tank chores?

Yup, it’s my New Year resolution to stop this.

Only when absolutely necessary, like something knocked over.

What’s interesting is everything looks better!

 

[JGT]

Same here. I have long tongs as well as tweezers which I try to use when I can. But sometimes you need the dexterity of human hands.

 

[SamsReef]

Apologies. I do not dislike putting my hands in the tank (I won’t say I enjoy though) and go out of the way to keep the lights and everything out of the way so I can quickly do work in my tank. A little bit of elbow greasing keeps the tank healthy long term.

My next project for tomorrow - replacing half the sand with “new” ocean salt. Tank is 12 yr old and replacing sand is part of the routine to avoid old tank syndrome.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Because of my job and the contaminants that I come in contact with (ok for me but not my tank :thinking-face: )
The only time I can put my hands in my tank is after my shower after work, or at least try my best. I don’t mind putting my hands in my tank(s) but it is limited.

 

[vlangel]

I don't love putting my arm/hand in the tank but with a lot of ornamental macroalgae there is no avoiding it for very long. Macros need pruned and I need to attack it like weeding a garden or else things get outta control.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

I do not enjoy it very much. But I'm in there almost everyday, if not, multiple times a day. I always get water on the glass and floor. My arm is now soaking wet, midway up my bicep. It's always hard too, when my clown is planning it's attack. I always have to try and keep her away from my arm.

Then, I finally clean everything up, including the glass and realize I have to go back in. It's really is an endless cycle.

 

[Tahoe61]

I have been known to make a list of what tank chores I need to do, so I get it all done at one time. It goes something like.
1. Move such and such frag.
2. Clean ATO sensor.
3. Clean sock.
4. Scrub with tooth brush.

I really dislike putting my hands in the tank, and I think my tank does better. I must add though having a Nano or Pico makes maintenance so much easier.

 

[VintageReefer]

I don’t even give it second thought. I keep towels by the tank

 

[SantaMonica Verified Sponsor]

After my hippo stuck his dorsal fin under my fingernail...

 

[Garf]

I only stick my hands in to retrieve a pump that needs mending because I haven't stuck my hands in to maintain it.

 

[DHK-BHWNJ]

Never do without gloves. I have no desire to introduce oils, contaminants, bacteria into a closed system.

 

[Blennioidei]

The longer I am in the hobby, I lless like to do it. Its linear :D

 

[Matty Ice]

I keep long sleeve gloves I got off Amazon and a towel around. Rarely put my bare hands in the tank

 

[Dan_P]

I’ve been avoiding tank activities that involve me sticking my hand in the water.

It’s pretty tall at 26”, so activities usually involve the entire arm, something even up to my armpit.

It’s not clean at all — saltwater gets on the tank brace, sometimes even the front glass. The floor almost always gets wet.

Then I have to wash my entire arm in the sink…

But then I realize I have to enter my entire arm in the tank to do something else, so the whole cycle repeats. :dizzy-face:


Anyone else avoiding in-tank chores?

My tank is only 18 inches deep but that still means occasion wet sleeves. When I’m at my best, it’s T-shirt only (well, pants too) to keep my shirt dry while working near the bottom or scraping the glass. Also aquarium is in the basement, making drips and splashes a non-issue.

 

[I never finish anythi]

I try and avoid putting my hand/arm in the tank as much as possible. If I do have to , I will wash my hand and arm in hot water first.

 

[TheLegendaryBarlowe072]

I try to avoid it whenever possible. I always get water on the glass, and my clown is peaceful with his tank mates but sure is a jerk when my hands in there lol

 

[Garf]

I will wash my hand and arm in hot water first.

This had me thinking that actually I'd concentrate on soaping off afterwards, not before. Then my mind went back to when my daughter drank some tank water that I put in a lemonade bottle for growing phyto. She hasn't been the same since.

 

[Reefering1]

This had me thinking that actually I'd concentrate on soaping off afterwards, not before. Then my mind went back to when my daughter drank some tank water that I put in a lemonade bottle for growing phyto. She hasn't been the same since.