Any Essential Oil Diffuser Users?

[ScottR]

My wife loves to use essential oils for many purposes. Mostly for diffusing. She’ll also use for disinfecting, consuming, laundry, the list goes on. There are some chemicals in them that I’m sure are very dangerous for reef tanks. The smell reaches my fish room even. Clove oil contains eugenol which if you’ve ever had on your skin, you’d know it burns you. Anyone have any bad experiences? I can’t say I’ve come across anyone that has. But if I can smell it near the fish, I’m sure some gets in the water.

 

[Katrina71]

Clove oil is a way to euthanize fish.

 

[Katrina71]

I love wallflowers from Bath and Body, but don't use them anymore because I'm afraid to. I'd love to hear more experiences too.

 

[ScottR]

Clove oil is a way to euthanize fish.

You know what, I’ve actually read that and completely forgot. My wife has been using these for years though and we’re cool. But I am concerned. What prompted me was a strong smell coming in the fish room.

 

[EmdeReef]

I don’t think any of it will be toxic unless you pour directly in a tank.

Cleaning sprays, fragnances etc can cause bacterial blooms but it would take a lot of essential oil for that. Usually you diffuse a few drops.

There’s been some controversy around how good it is for people’s health so may want to look into that.

 

[ScottR]

I don’t think any of it will be toxic unless you pour directly in a tank.

Cleaning sprays, fragnances etc can cause bacterial blooms but it would take a lot of essential oil for that. Usually you diffuse a few drops.

There’s been some controversy around how good it is for people’s health so may want to look into that.

My wife says they are healing. Each oil has its own chemicals that are made naturally by plants to combat other plants, insect and such. Kind of like coral warfare for plants

 

[InkedReefLady]

I only use doTERRA oils. We diffuse (diffusing now!) as well as consume and use topically. I think if it's a reliable brand, it will be okay. I use them throughout the house (multi-diffusers) and so far, have had no issue with any of our set ups (or dogs, or turtles).

I would honestly love to see someone do a study on oils in a reef and their impact. Years ago, I remember people dosing vitamin C in their reefs. I wonder how corals (and fish) would do with certain oil supplements (colors, health, etc.).

I've healed many a wound with melaluca (tea tree), lavender and clove oils. No scaring. I wonder what it could do or fish.....

 

[ScottR]

I only use doTERRA oils. We diffuse (diffusing now!) as well as consume and use topically. I think if it's a reliable brand, it will be okay. I use them throughout the house (multi-diffusers) and so far, have had no issue with any of our set ups (or dogs, or turtles).

I would honestly love to see someone do a study on oils in a reef and their impact. Years ago, I remember people dosing vitamin C in their reefs. I wonder how corals (and fish) would do with certain oil supplements (colors, health, etc.).

I've healed many a wound with melaluca (tea tree), lavender and clove oils. No scaring. I wonder what it could do or fish.....

Nice to hear your story. We’ve been using EO for about 5 years. So far, no issues. I’ve learned to like them but concerned about the long term impact of corals. Clove, tea tree, lavender, and chamomile Roman do have magnificent uses.

 

[McFly]

I would run carbon as insurance.

 

[bluprntguy]

I make homemade soap with essential oils, so I have a little bit of experience working with them. A number of essential oils are pretty toxic even in small doses. Tea tree, clove, balsam peru, cinnamon (it's often made from the leaves not the bark) come to mind. I'd do some research on what you have at home and try to avoid using the ones that are toxic. Citrus essential oils are generally safe.

I'd probably limit use to the essential oils that are non-toxic to humans and pets as much as possible. I'd also keep the door closed to the fish room when you are infusing them.

 

[TheHarold]

I dont think aerosolizing chemicals is good for you, let alone the fish

 

[ZoWhat]

I've heard one of the worst thing to do is put SPF## suntanning block on you or a family member.....and the residue on your hands if it gets into the tank is extremely detrimental to coral and fish.

I.E. dont use sunblock lotion to go cut your grass and then later go do a WC. Thoroughly wash your hands several times

 

[amps]

Remember, you're essentially pumping chemical compounds into the air. It doesn't matter if they're natural or how pure they are, some will still cause harm to certain animals. Lots of plants can cause significant harm to cats but are otherwise harmless to people and dogs.

I don't know the details on every oil but I know for a fact that 'Clove Oil' will sedate and euthanize fish in even small amounts. I use it (unwillingly) when a fish is too sick or injured during QT as a peaceful way of putting them down. I'd imagine that a slow buildup over time would undoubtedly cause some harm to both fish and corals.

 

[amps]

I've heard one of the worst thing to do is put SPF## suntanning block on you or a family member.....and the residue on your hands if it gets into the tank is extremely detrimental to coral and fish.

I just heard that too! I did some reading and it seems that Oxybenzone is particularly bad for corals and has been banned in Hawaii. We only use Sun Bum brand now or a titanium dioxide based SPF from La Roche-Posay, both are considered reef safe.

All of these 'what-ifs' and 'what-abouts' are great arguments to always be running carbon in our tanks. It's a little insurance against the unknown.

 

[Jen1978]

I only use doTERRA oils. We diffuse (diffusing now!) as well as consume and use topically. I think if it's a reliable brand, it will be okay. I use them throughout the house (multi-diffusers) and so far, have had no issue with any of our set ups (or dogs, or turtles).

I would honestly love to see someone do a study on oils in a reef and their impact. Years ago, I remember people dosing vitamin C in their reefs. I wonder how corals (and fish) would do with certain oil supplements (colors, health, etc.).

I've healed many a wound with melaluca (tea tree), lavender and clove oils. No scaring. I wonder what it could do or fish.....

Thank you for your post as I am a big doTERRA user also. Ever since I set my tank up a few months ago, I have confined diffusing to my bedroom at night. I tried a 2 hour test run today in my living room to see if all goes well. I figured I'd be safe since my tank has a glass lid.