Using hand sanitizer before putting hands in tank bad?

[capt85]

We all know we don't want to introduce and chemicals, hair, dirt. whatever is on out arms in our tank.

I use hand sanitizer before I or someone else handles my boa. Would doing this everytime we put our hands in the tank effect our reefs?

I use unscented and let it dry before handing.

 

[Aquaph8]

I wouldn't trust it, that stuffs gotta leave something behind. Soap and water should be fine, just make sure to rinse really well.

 

[Paul_N]

I wouldn't trust it either. Honestly if I did anything to my hands before putting them in my tank I only rinsed them with water. IDK but IMO the only thing you really have to worry about on your hands is if you handle anything out of the ordinary. A little oil or hair won't hurt it your tank and will be skimmed right out.

 

[Raggamuffin]

I agree, if you are worried get a gallon jug of distilled water from the store for a buck and use it to rinse your arms before tank work.

 

[btkrausen]

I have never really worried about it much...ever. If my hands are obviously dirty from doing something I'll wash them but other than that I've never thought much about it and its never caused any issues that I'm aware of.

 

[capt85]

Thanks guys!

Looks like I will leave the hand sanitizer by the snake cage.

 

[Justin....#JAMAS]

i know this is a very old thread, but gotta bring it back to life and say anytime i must put my hands in my tank i have a pre mixed spay bottle of vinegar and water that i spray all over my hand and rinse with lukewarm water! always does the trick and never messes anything up !!

 

[LuizW13]

I don't really worry about that sort of thing too much, i guess mostly because i have some carbon in my system. Although, apparently sunblock can be a real issue- that i wouldn't mess around with.

 

[Kellie in CA]

If I know I'm putting my hand in, I wash up with ReefSuds soap.

 

[lzrlvr]

Hi I use dawn dish washing liquid

 

[saltyhog]

"Hand sanitizer " is convenient but every study I've read shows it's inferior to plain soap and water in reducing bacterial contamination. That doesn't necessarily correlate with removing other contaminants but it bodes well to me.

 

[CindyKz]

I am much more concerned about dangerous chemicals getting into my tank than I am everyday microbes. Hand sanitizers are designed to kill germs, not remove contaminants. From the CDC: (https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-hand-sanitizer.html)