Am I Overreacting?

Casket_Case · Jun 4, 2020

So, you guys know about the sunscreen that can hurt corals... that’s why a lot of coastal states here in the U.S. banned certain types. Well I not thinking used sunscreen today and am now kinda scared to put my hands in my tank hahaha... I know it sounds stupid but should I really be worried?? I have a forty gallon so I’m not sure if the chemicals would be higher concentrated in my aquarium

HuduVudu · Jun 4, 2020

I always wash my hands regardless. Peace of mind if nothing else.

clffthmps · Jun 4, 2020

Don’t put your hands in your tank.

Skynyrd Fish · Jun 4, 2020

Get some old fashion cow birthing gloves! But no don’t do it. I accidentally put my hands in after a day out side, but it’s usually a few hours after I use the sun block. I try to be aware and not.

clffthmps · Jun 4, 2020

You might be fine. if you’re worried trail running some carbon.

clffthmps · Jun 4, 2020

NeptuneRjo · Jun 4, 2020

I would keep hands out of the tank if you used sunscreen recently. If its absolutely necessary I would rinse hands in hot water for a minute or two just to be safe.

Casket_Case · Jun 4, 2020

I put sunscreen on at least five hours ago, should I just really wash my hands or wait until tomorrow or longer?

NeptuneRjo · Jun 4, 2020

Frigus Reef said:
I put sunscreen on at least five hours ago, should I just really wash my hands or wait until tomorrow or longer?

Do your hands/arms feel oily or still smell of sunscreen? If they do keep your hands away, if they dont I would wash hands in hot water just to be safe.

Personally I would wait but if it's necessary to put hands in the tank you could run carbon after you're done just in case.

Casket_Case · Jun 4, 2020

NeptuneRjo said:
Do your hands/arms feel oily or still smell of sunscreen? If they do keep your hands away, if they dont I would wash hands in hot water just to be safe.

Personally I would wait but if it's necessary to put hands in the tank you could run carbon after you're done just in case.

My arms still smell a bit like sunscreen, I’m gonna take two showers over the course of tonight then really wash my hands before going in and try to get some carbon for it afterwards. Thanks for the help all do you!!!

Casket_Case · Jun 4, 2020

Frigus Reef said:
My arms still smell a bit like sunscreen, I’m gonna take two showers over the course of tonight then really wash my hands before going in and try to get some carbon for it afterwards. Thanks for the help all do you!!!

All of you****

iambenfields · Jun 4, 2020

Not having a shot but in the time it took to write all this couldn't you have washed your hands like a dozen times? Also - get long gloves, never worry about it again!

MJ in Boise · Jun 4, 2020

If anything questionable gets on my hands they dont go in a tank for at least a day. Lots of washing with no soap. If I really need to get hands in a system during that 24hrs the yellow reef gloves go on first.

Casket_Case · Jun 5, 2020

iambenfields said:
Not having a shot but in the time it took to write all this couldn't you have washed your hands like a dozen times? Also - get long gloves, never worry about it again!

Yes. I very well could have. But I wasn’t sure if that would take care of the problem. As I saw some people will wait a day. If I just washed my hands and said “To Hell with it” I could’ve risked getting something in my aquarium. But I took the time to make sure I knew what I was doing before I messed things up big time.

SDK · Jun 5, 2020

Every reef keeper should have a pair of these and use them every time their hands are in the tank. They take a second or two to put on, cover most of your arm and are proof against bites from even big Maroon Clownfish..

If you are on a budget, here is a pair for under $10. I can't speak to the longevity of these though.

For $24 the Coralife gloves should last forever. My last pair was going strong after ten years, but got lost in a cross country move...

iambenfields · Jun 5, 2020

2nd for the Coralife gloves. Totally worth it, and smart - lots of stuff in our tanks can also hurt us!

ReeferWarrant · Jun 5, 2020

If it's a concern, I'd just buy sun screen without any Oxybenzone in it for the future. To be safe I would thoroughly wash your hands.

S2G · Jun 5, 2020

SDK said:
Every reef keeper should have a pair of these and use them every time their hands are in the tank. They take a second or two to put on, cover most of your arm and are proof against bites from even big Maroon Clownfish..

If you are on a budget, here is a pair for under $10. I can't speak to the longevity of these though.

For $24 the Coralife gloves should last forever. My last pair was going strong after ten years, but got lost in a cross country move...

I'm getting me a set. I'm tired of being paranoid about something contaminating my tank

Shawn_epicurious · Jun 5, 2020

I do not think you are over-reacting considering the size of your tank. It does not take much of anything to change the water chemistry in only 40 gallons of water.

Simple fix though.... clean your hands and/or wear gloves.