Toxicity of various substances on reef tanks

[Rory]

Hi

I wanted to ask the guys who know their stuff about chemicals about a few random household things that might find their way into your tank. Either through the air or from you touching something then placing your hands in the tank.

Basically I just want to know how paranoid I should be. I stick my hands in the tank maybe once a week and before I do I rinse hands and arm thoroughly with tap water. I know some other people don't bother with all that etc.

So the various substances are:

hand cream
shampoo
soap
sunlight

aftershave
nailpolish
nailpolish remover

deoderant "fumes"
perfume

label glue from various products we use for tanks

cat hair
human hair

firelighters
jik

And the proposed vague scale of toxicity:
1 - if you have touched it within the last hour it will kill something in the tank
2 - you would need some residue or something on your hand to kill anything
3 - you would actually need a small amount to enter the tank to kill anything
4 - you would need at least a teaspoon to kill anything
5 - should have no effect

Also any comments on what effects the various substance could cause would be cool.

K. Discuss for 50 marks.

 

[Mekaeel]

all i know is i always rinse with just water no soap,my hands right up to my elbow before sticking my hands into the tank.
guess thats one mark hey lol
by the way,excellent thread!

 

[viper357]

Dude, if you look at your list of substances it seems your girlfriend spends more time in your tank than you do

Excellent thread, I have also wondered about this.

Can I add air freshener and windowlene to your list.

 

[Mekaeel]

and dont worry doom is 100% safe for the insects that love light

 

[palmerc]

Hi

I wanted to ask the guys who know their stuff about chemicals about a few random household things that might find their way into your tank. Either through the air or from you touching something then placing your hands in the tank.

Basically I just want to know how paranoid I should be. I stick my hands in the tank maybe once a week and before I do I rinse hands and arm thoroughly with tap water. I know some other people don't bother with all that etc.

So the various substances are:

hand cream 4/5
shampoo 3/4
soap 3/4
sunlight 3/4
Most of above will screw up skimmer function but should not be toxic in small amounts

aftershave 3/4
nailpolish 2/3
nailpolish remover 2/3

deoderant "fumes" 2/3
perfume 3/4 (mostly alcohol, fragrance is main problem as these are made up of many different chemicals)

label glue from various products we use for tanks 5

cat hair 5
human hair 5

firelighters 1/2
jik 1/2

And the proposed vague scale of toxicity:
1 - if you have touched it within the last hour it will kill something in the tank
2 - you would need some residue or something on your hand to kill anything
3 - you would actually need a small amount to enter the tank to kill anything
4 - you would need at least a teaspoon to kill anything
5 - should have no effect

Also any comments on what effects the various substance could cause would be cool.

K. Discuss for 50 marks.

Ones I woudl be worried about are insecticides of any type, paint fumes (from painting a room), ammonia containing products (Handy Andy, Scrubbs)

 

[phat]

nailpolish
nailpolish remover

WTF you paint your nails? sissi boy

 

[Mekaeel]

WTF you paint your nails? sissi boy

 

[irie ivan]

Can i add cigarette smoke to the list?

 

[Galibore]

One more thing to add.

Klippies and coke from having friends over for a braai, them getting piss drunk and spilling. Not that it has happened to me....

 

[Mekaeel]

Can i add cigarette smoke to the list?

yes that is interesting.i usually sit by tank and puff away!

 

[Smithers]

Who had Creosote fumes that affected their tank ? Was it BristleBasher ?
Add that to the list.

 

[Midasblenny]

I dropped a black label into Bob the Reefbuilders tank once and thank goodness it didn`t affect the vodka concentration by any noticeable amount!

 

[Rory]

Please do elaborate on exactly how that happened Midasblenny...

 

[Mekaeel]

Please do elaborate on exactly how that happened Midasblenny...

he was too drunk

 

[Galibore]

I dropped a black label into Bob the Reefbuilders tank once

This is gonna be good, I'm getting some popcorn!

 

[herkie]

I f you fit a tank hood on after the wood has been painted with a sealer and later varnished? Say one day after the wood was treated. What about furniture polish or oil?

 

[Mekaeel]

What about furniture polish or oil?

something i wouldnt chance hey

 

[Fransjohan]

Hey you should wait about 4 days after sealing paintin wood etc. Windolene is great if you want to get rid of all your fishes! the best is wet newspaper. I always wash my hands with liguid soap and rince. never had problems I can see. I know Golden products are a big no no. hope that helps.

 

[Alan]

Hey Fransjohan, welcome to MASA, great to have you on board.

 

[Mekaeel]

Welcome to MASA Frans!