Any reefers with fake nails?

1Meshy · Oct 25, 2022

Hey all, just a very random question lol.

Is anyone on here a reefer that wears fake nails (either sometimes or all the time)?

I sometimes wear false nails, but when it comes time to tank maintenance.. Eesh!! Talk about more work than you bargained for! In particular, when it comes to gluing down corals, how do you deal with the excess glue that sticks to the nails?

I've thought about getting gloves, but they seem a bit bulky at times.

If anybody has any experience with these things I'd be happy to hear you out!

KK's Reef · Oct 25, 2022

Um, maybe get your boyfriend/husband to do the maintenance?

Unless they have fake nails too.

Bucs20fan · Oct 25, 2022

Not really any way to get around a hard extension of your finger, not to mention the chemicals that would be in the polish and clear coat etc. I would caution against it.

resortez · Oct 25, 2022

Lol, as long as I have been in the hobby, it’s the first time I’ve come across this unique question.

1Meshy · Oct 25, 2022

KK's Reef said:
Um, maybe get your boyfriend/husband to do the maintenance?

Unless they have fake nails too.

Don't have either, it's all me!

Bucs20fan · Oct 25, 2022

resortez said:
Lol, as long as I have been in the hobby, it’s the first time I’ve come across this unique question.

Amen to that.

Bucs20fan · Oct 25, 2022

I would forgo the nails, especially regarding your other post about the conch, you have inverts. Inverts and corals are the first to go when chemicals enter the tank.

1Meshy · Oct 25, 2022

Bucs20fan said:
Not really any way to get around a hard extension of your finger, not to mention the chemicals that would be in the polish and clear coat etc. I would caution against it.

See, I looked into this before I did it actually. A couple of the posts I read said that it should be fine just as long as everything is dry, but I have always wondered this.. If it actually is a risk then I'd immediately stop doing them.

1Meshy · Oct 25, 2022

resortez said:
Lol, as long as I have been in the hobby, it’s the first time I’ve come across this unique question.

lol!! I've seen some questions like this before but on different reefing websites. Figured I'd ask here too ahaha

Bucs20fan · Oct 25, 2022

1Meshy said:
See, I looked into this before I did it actually. A couple of the posts I read said that it should be fine just as long as everything is dry, but I have always wondered this.. If it actually is a risk then I'd immediately stop doing them.

I have no way of knowing if it is a risk, youd have to know exactly what product is being used each time. But with that being said, alot of polymers and pastes are reef safe once they "cure" or dry completely.

1Meshy · Oct 25, 2022

Bucs20fan said:
I have no way of knowing if it is a risk, youd have to know exactly what product is being used each time. But with that being said, alot of polymers and pastes are reef safe once they "cure" or dry completely.

True.. Maybe it's best to not put them on then. Dang I was hoping there'd be a way around it. I wonder why other people said it'd be fine then

Bucs20fan · Oct 25, 2022

1Meshy said:
True.. Maybe it's best to not put them on then. Dang I was hoping there'd be a way around it. I wonder why other people said it'd be fine then

Im not saying its not safe, but when you get to the point like most of us, Ive got over a thousand dollars in coral in my tank, and well over 100 dollars in inverts, and personally I would always err on the side of caution.

landlubber · Oct 25, 2022

i guess the obvious answer for when you don't want stuff on your hands is a good relationship with gloves.
i can relate when it comes to gluing frags but have found its often all about the work space. if you have an open, organized space including stands for your frag plugs to sit in (even just stacked eggcrate works) while you apply glue it often keeps a hand out of the line of fire.

Bucs20fan · Oct 25, 2022

landlubber said:
i guess the obvious answer for when you don't want stuff on your hands is a good relationship with gloves.
i can relate when it comes to gluing frags but have found its often all about the work space. if you have an open, organized space including stands for your frag plugs to sit in (even just stacked eggcrate works) while you apply glue it often keeps a hand out of the line of fire.

You are so right, but alas, every time I have glue on my fingers. I chock it up to a hazard of doing business.

1Meshy · Oct 25, 2022

Bucs20fan said:
Im not saying its not safe, but when you get to the point like most of us, Ive got over a thousand dollars in coral in my tank, and well over 100 dollars in inverts, and personally I would always err on the side of caution.

Yes, you're right. Better to be safe than sorry

Rick's Reviews · Oct 25, 2022

Yes, I would not advice fake nails, eyelashes, eyebrows so I would refrain from putting your face in an aquarium and wear gloves

1Meshy · Oct 25, 2022

landlubber said:
i guess the obvious answer for when you don't want stuff on your hands is a good relationship with gloves.
i can relate when it comes to gluing frags but have found its often all about the work space. if you have an open, organized space including stands for your frag plugs to sit in (even just stacked eggcrate works) while you apply glue it often keeps a hand out of the line of fire.

I see. I mean even without fake nails, having glue all over your real nails is annoying too. I guess gloves are the way to go then. Thanks!

Bucs20fan · Oct 25, 2022

Rick's Reviews said:
Yes, I would not advice fake nails, eyelashes, eyebrows so I would refrain from putting your face in an aquarium and wear gloves

Are you judging me for going up close and personal on a bristleworm diving expedition?????

landlubber · Oct 25, 2022

1Meshy said:
True.. Maybe it's best to not put them on then. Dang I was hoping there'd be a way around it. I wonder why other people said it'd be fine then

i personally wouldn't put a lot of worry into this. most of our tanks have an open top where limitless amounts of contaminates settle into. If the products in gel nails were soluble they would deteriorate whenever you washed your hands, showered, swam etc. and they generally don't provided they're cured.
again, gloves might be the answer and you can buy gauntlets that go right up to the armpit if need be.