Tropical Fish Forums

[Laskey]

I'm more worried about what the fish can get from be, than vice-versa. I don't wear gloves. I might if I had an open cut at a time when I had to do a water change, but that's not happened yet.

That being said, I've gotten rashes from either cyanobacteria or anaerobic bacteria, or both--not exactly sure. But I got that when I was doing very extensive cleaning and my exposure was quite prolonged--like during 60-75% water changes or more, uprooting/replanting, whatever--taking an hour or so. Normal maintenance doesn't seem to be a problem because normal maintenance takes less time. Besides washing my hands thoroughly, I try to remember to use hand sanitizer afterward as well, as a precaution.

[Rosiearizona]

I have 6 tanks and in 5 of them I don't use gloves. In my tank with bloodparrots, I wear them occasionally, as my 2 girls love to hickey kiss my arms if they are feeling frisky. It never breaks the skin but just kind of creepy feeling, the water gets in them, but it keeps the fish away and thats my purpose.
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Rose

[Blair]

I don't were gloves; unless there is a killer disease I will start to wear gloves. But I always wash my hands after doing maintenence (sp).
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[Katie C]

Whether you wear gloves to clean your tanks or not....one thing is for sure and that is to ALWAYS wash your hands before and/or after each tank.....especially if you have more than one tank.....reason being you can transfer diseases (like ick ect) from one tank to another if you don't wash your hands after each individual tank (found that out the hard way) Even doing water changes......rinse off the buckets and tools you use before you put it in the other tank......it is just healthier for you and your fish and that way you know you are contaminating your other tanks
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"The deception of others is nearly always rooted in the deception of ourselves."