Wash or only rinse before dipping your hands in?

[ThrillYa]

Before dipping your hand into your tank do you wash with soap, just rinse or something else? I worry about left over soap from under a fingernail or something getting into the tank.

Mike

 

[Joe DeSantis]

I just rinse. As long as you are not dipping your hands in chemicals all day prior you should ne fine. Just use common sense. 8)

 

[Anonymous]

I rinse after, but not before. I don't think theres much on my hands that could compare with what comes out of the skimmer. Others will differ, I'm sure.

 

[King Jason]

Rinse...

Soap = bad!

 

[MattM]

Wash your hands with soap, rinse well, dry then smell your hands. Smells like the soap doesn't it?

Just rinse before putting your hand in your tank, no soap.

 

[Mogo]

I just rinse my hands. Soap = phosphates + perfumes etc. = bad. Especiallly in smaller tanks.

 

[Anonymous]

I usually rinse well in warm water and then dry with a paper towel.

Sometimes I just dive in though.

 

[Anonymous]

If you're really concerned then you can also scrub your hands with salt along with the rinse.

 

[UnderGrad]

Rinse your hands before putting them in the tank (the hotter the better); wash with soap after working on the tank...

-AM-

 

[Anonymous]

I have gloves that go up to my biceps. I'm alergic to shellfish and don't want to take the chance getting any bad ju-ju's in the (many) cuts on my hands.

Brett

 

[Marcosreef]

I wash with good handsoap, rinse several times with hot water, then cold water. I work with copper all day long, so just rinsing is not an option.

Marco

 

[Len]

I use shoulder length gloves. 5 years ago, I scraped up my forearm against a thicket of Acropora in my tank, and ever since then my arm develops a rash if it comes in contact with saltwater. I miss going in without gloves though.