Your hands and your reef tank.

[KeyWestReef2009Indiana]

Imho and experience. Long Gloves. Always. Grab a few bristle worms and you’ll know it, or worse get into your zoas and palys by mistake.. It also helps prevent contamination.

If you need, keep a good set of tools. Long tongs, tweezers, etc. stainless steel.

I agree, they have some good tools on line. I have hygger for most jobs.

 

[THE_MAD_REEFER]

I do like others. I rinse my hands in ro water and dry with a paper towel then use soap and water afterwards. I'm sure it can be risky but I like to live dangerously lol

 

[jonnywink]

Bare hands for me, if no cuts on them. If cuts, I’ll just wait a day or two. Wash them well before and after.

 

[GoAskAlice]

I do like others. I rinse my hands in ro water and dry with a paper towel then use soap and water afterwards. I'm sure it can be risky but I like to live dangerously lol

Right? The risks we take. :thinking-face:

 

[spencerkilgore]

So if you are like me your hands are probably cut up or dirty often (mine are usually cut up because of climbing haha). I am wondering what do you do to get around this? Do I just need those big rubber gloves, or just wash my hands and barehand my tank haha? Just want to hear what everyone says!

i get deep in my tank with those clunky shoulder length gloves to protect my masterpiece along with my sensitive skin. & then my pony tail plops into the tank and i freak out for 20min… a bit ocd over here

 

[MnFish1]

i get deep in my tank with those clunky shoulder length gloves to protect my masterpiece along with my sensitive skin. & then my pony tail plops into the tank and i freak out for 20min… a bit ocd over here

If you're OCD - I would be more worried about your hands/arms than your hair - no offense. Hair does not get stung or cause allergic reactions - arms and hands do

 

[Kati’s_Nano]

Just started using gloves about a month ago I think it’s better

 

[Hans-Werner]

On page one, post # 12 I already mentioned Staphylococcus aureus and its possible involvement in skin problems of reef aquarists.

I had milder skin problems not only on my right lower arm but also on some spots where wet hands and underarm used to soak my t-shirt and trousers. So chemistry of saltwater like high pH or calcium and magnesium could also be involved. There is latest evidence that calcium plays a central role in attachment of inflammation bacteria Staphylococcus aureus to human skin.

This could explain skin problems of reef aquarists and why organic acids, which can bind and chelate calcium, can be helpful. Now make a medication against SA related skin problems with this new knowledge.

 

[BonnieB]

You're right, but I can't do anything with those big waterproof gloves designed for working in an aquarium. I'm like a giant lobster trying to manually remove hair algae. But since my hands are sensitive to the saltwater I wear disposable gloves and wrap self adhesive medical bandage around the wrists to keep water out long enough to do what I need to do.

They make disposable versions that are much thinner than the thick pvc ones. I haven’t tried them, but that might be your huckleberry. Usually sold by farm suppliers for reaching into a cow’s cookie jar, for whatever you might need to do in there, I guess.

Yeah the thing disposable ones are what my LFS suggested as well for me! Also good for when you’re fragging to be able to handle corals easily!

 

[Savage Henry]

I go bare hands. I have recently gotten rid of all my palys because of concerns with palytoxins. But, I miss my beautiful mind blowing palys.