Toxicity of various substances on reef tanks

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.

 

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!

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

he was too drunk

 

something i wouldnt chance hey

 

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

 

Welcome to MASA Frans!