This one's for the ladies

[ReefQueen]

And I suppose men as well, I won't judge if you have the knowledge I want to talk about beauty products and their potential impact on our tanks. I painted my nails for the first time in, well I honestly don't remember, for my sisters bridal shower yesterday. It got me thinking about the possible negative effects it could have on my tanks. So let's talk about things like nail polish, lotions, makeup, hair products (heck hair in general, I've found strands of my decently long hair floating in the tank before) and any other beauty products that may hurt our tanks. We can also talk about what we do to prevent them from impacting our tanks. For example I try to keep my hair pulled up when working in the tanks, I also have a hand scrubbing ritual that I do with table salt before my hands go near the tank to get lotion and soap residue off of my skin. I have also taken to using coconut oil as my main moisturizer because it is supposed to be reef safe, although I can't imagine the skimmer would like it in large quantities lol

 

[GHsaltie]

Have you noticed the coconut oil affecting your tank any? Aside from the skimmer that is. I got some coconut oil to use as moisturizer but then after bringing it home I realized that I didn't if it would hurt my tank or not. I also couldn't find any information on potential side effects of coconut oil in a reef tank.

 

[ReefQueen]

Have you noticed the coconut oil affecting your tank any? Aside from the skimmer that is. I got some coconut oil to use as moisturizer but then after bringing it home I realized that I didn't if it would hurt my tank or not. I also couldn't find any information on potential side effects of coconut oil in a reef tank.

I have heard that the coconut oil is completely safe, but I scrub my hands and arms so thoroughly before tank maintenance that I doubt there is any left to enter the tank lol. I highly suggest coconut oil as a moisturizer though, it is amazing stuff

 

[SandJ]

I have the same concerns as you about beauty products, and other chemicals in general, making their way into the tanks.
My big concern is sunscreen. Most of the sunscreens on the market are dangerous/fatal to corals.
I make our soap and that is all we use to wash our hands (coconut oil, olive oil, lard and lye).
For dry skin I use lanolin. It does not have the chemicals that other lotion contain.
I use some essential oils so I try to be cautious about putting my hands in the tank after applying them.
We also have horses. The fly spray we use on them is dangerous for aquatic life. We have tried more natural products, but they just do not work :0(

On a different note, when I run the vacuum or dust I cover the tanks. I have noticed a lot of particles end up in the tank after housework, and these are two of the main sources for my tank.

 

[Chrisfish]

Great thread, I am one of those people who can't keep my hands out of the tank so other than making sure my hand and arms are clean, I use no polish, moisterizer or soaps with oil or perfumes. My clowns love to nibble on my Arm or should I say bites the hand that feeds them.

 

[120reefkeeper]

When at all possible or feasible I use arm length reef gloves. When not possible I scrub up really good with dawn dish soap , makes me feel like a surgeon. Lol. Then I touch nothing "arms elevated like a surgeon "except paper towels to dry my hands before I enter said tank.

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

I use this stuff and wash my hands every time after being in the tank. (bacterial infections suck, true story)
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Softsoap-...ap-with-Moisturizers-Refill-56-fl-oz/23752131
I've often had to put my hands right back in the tank after washing, never had any issues, though I rinse very, very well.. I always buy this brand because I think the majority of it evaporates quite well because of the large amount of antibacterial ingredients.

I've also had my gf get some of her hair in the tank before, few strands stopped a jebao pump once after they got wrapped around it.
Otherwise I try to not put my hands in the tank after lotion, and my gf doesn't either just to be cautious.

I want to say though once she painted her fingernails with an acrylic, and after some extended time in the tank it started to easily flake off.

 

[ReefQueen]

I have the same concerns as you about beauty products, and other chemicals in general, making their way into the tanks.
My big concern is sunscreen. Most of the sunscreens on the market are dangerous/fatal to corals.
I make our soap and that is all we use to wash our hands (coconut oil, olive oil, lard and lye).
For dry skin I use lanolin. It does not have the chemicals that other lotion contain.
I use some essential oils so I try to be cautious about putting my hands in the tank after applying them.
We also have horses. The fly spray we use on them is dangerous for aquatic life. We have tried more natural products, but they just do not work :0(

On a different note, when I run the vacuum or dust I cover the tanks. I have noticed a lot of particles end up in the tank after housework, and these are two of the main sources for my tank.

Sunscreen is something I have not thought of! I hardly ever use it because I never get outside these days, but definitely something to keep in mind! Great point about housework as well, i only use vinegar to clean so I don't have a bunch of chemicals floating around

 

[ReefQueen]

When at all possible or feasible I use arm length reef gloves. When not possible I scrub up really good with dawn dish soap , makes me feel like a surgeon. Lol. Then I touch nothing "arms elevated like a surgeon "except paper towels to dry my hands before I enter said tank.

Using gloves would is always a great idea, but when you have tiny hands it does make it difficult to feel what you are doing lol. I know exactly what you mean feeling like a surgeon haha.

 

[ReefQueen]

I use this stuff and wash my hands every time after being in the tank. (bacterial infections suck, true story)
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Softsoap-...ap-with-Moisturizers-Refill-56-fl-oz/23752131
I've often had to put my hands right back in the tank after washing, never had any issues, though I rinse very, very well.. I always buy this brand because I think the majority of it evaporates quite well because of the large amount of antibacterial ingredients.

I've also had my gf get some of her hair in the tank before, few strands stopped a jebao pump once after they got wrapped around it.
Otherwise I try to not put my hands in the tank after lotion, and my gf doesn't either just to be cautious.

I want to say though once she painted her fingernails with an acrylic, and after some extended time in the tank it started to easily flake off.

I also have this same soap in my bathroom, but I only use it if I know I am not going in the tank for a while because I feel like I can never get it all off. I have the same brand, but not antibacterial, in the kitchen and notice it rinses off much easier. Now I am worried about my jebeo with my hair lol. It seems to get everywhere so naturally it ends up in my tank occasionally, and the sink, and the tub drain lol. My hubby is always complaining about pulling clumps of 3 foot hair out of the drains haha.

 

[Naiad]

Saltwater will take that new super strong nail stuff off for sure. I almost never use beauty products because of fear they will hurt my animals. I have fish and birds. That being said I have never had any issues when I had painted nails (well cured of course) or dropped hair in my tank. My nps has attempted to eat my hair at one time..

 

[ReefQueen]

Oh I just remembered that I have heard those nail wraps are also safe and hold up well to saltwater. I think jamberry makes them? I don't care enough about my nails to try them, but I know many that cannot live with plain Jane nails

 

[ReefQueen]

Saltwater will take that new super strong nail stuff off for sure. I almost never use beauty products because of fear they will hurt my animals. I have fish and birds. That being said I have never had any issues when I had painted nails (well cured of course) or dropped hair in my tank. My nps has attempted to eat my hair at one time..

Birds are even more sensitive to our airborne beauty products. I never use perfume or air fresheners as habit from when I had my beloved macaw. Hmmm does hair count as coral food? Haha

 

[Naiad]

Oh I just remembered that I have heard those nail wraps are also safe and hold up well to saltwater. I think jamberry makes them? I don't care enough about my nails to try them, but I know many that cannot live with plain Jane nails

Yes my friend got me some of those! Haven't tried them yet but next time I have a reason to have my nails done I will see how long they hold up!

 

[ngvu1]

As soon as you hit submit with a title like that, all the guy reefers jump in first

 

[ReefQueen]

Yes my friend got me some of those! Haven't tried them yet but next time I have a reason to have my nails done I will see how long they hold up!

Let me know I haven't seen them in person after a few hours in saltwater, but a woman who runs an lfs near me says they are good

 

[Naiad]

Birds are even more sensitive to our airborne beauty products. I never use perfume or air fresheners as habit from when I had my beloved macaw. Hmmm does hair count as coral food? Haha

Yea I often look like I just rolled out of bed lol. It just isn't worth it to me though to "forget" about a hair product or something before snuggling one of the parrots.

 

[ReefQueen]

As soon as you hit submit with a title like that, all the guy reefers jump in first

Haha guys are welcome as well, but I think this thread is mostly geared towards women. But some guys have their own beauty routines so feel free to jump in on things like aftershave or colognes or other things that men typically use that I know nothing about lol

 

[ReefQueen]

Yea I often look like I just rolled out of bed lol. It just isn't worth it to me though to "forget" about a hair product or something before snuggling one of the parrots.

I look like that most times too, and I don't even have a bird anymore haha. But coconut oil is also wonderful in hair and is bird safe! Just don't use too much haha

 

[ngvu1]

Let's start counting how many posts are from the female reefers....hmm besides yours of course. I don't see any do you? Lol
I fact I think the ladies tend to stay away from this kind of posts with similar titles specially if the OP is a male ;-) AmIRite?

Haha guys are welcome as well, but I think this thread is mostly geared towards women. But some guys have their own beauty routines so feel free to jump in on things like aftershave or colognes or other things that men typically use that I know nothing about lol