Hands in tank = bad skim?

[wojo]

Did i read this correctly? I saw it somwhere but i had no idea how had it could affect my skimmer. The foam in a neck dropped like 2 inches soon after me playing with some things in the sump.

Is this true? How to avoid such disruption except for not putting my hangs in water ?

Thanks

 

[NoSchwag]

Wash your hands until they are squeaky squeaky clean with original Palmolive.

 

[wojo]

lol, seriously?

 

[danch]

Your skin has oils that could disrupt the bubble formation. Also, most soaps will screw things up royally. Not to mention hand lotions and such.

NoSchwag: I hadn't heard that about original Palmolive - how's that safer than other soaps?

 

[DSMpunk]

Just wear gloves.

#1 It wont put anything bad you happen to have on your hands in your tank (and it will keep your skimmer running properly)

#2 It will protect you from potential stings scratches and toxins in your tank.

#3 If you have a clownfish like mine it will keep you from getting bit all the time

 

[BiggySmalls]

my clownfish just swim right near my hand but have never bitten me yet, what does it feel like?

 

[ERICinFL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8918582#post8918582 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BiggySmalls
my clownfish just swim right near my hand but have never bitten me yet, what does it feel like?

My Maroon Clown finally drew blood the other day. It doesn't feel very good.

 

[dwculp]

I have a perc in my 40 gallon reef that bites the living heck out of me when I clean the tank.

I have a huge Clarkii in my FO that rules that tank with an iron fist, He has got me a time or two also.

 

[mano1192]

IYea gloves the way to go but such a pain to work in.. rocks always slip out of my hand in gloves... and land on corals!

 

[blot60]

HaHa.. Im glad I saw this. My Large Clown is viscious! I love her. She has me wearing gloves. One day I was sucking out some cyno (almost won the battle) and she kept bitting my hand. It didnt really hurt so much but it would startle me. I said to my self "OK if she bites you dont flinch" As soon as my hand hit the water she attacked with a vengence. And what did I do...Thats right like a ***** I yanked my hand out of the water. I feel like a *****. Here I am a 6-5, 240lb man afraid of a little Clown fish. Shes great.

 

[Aquaman]

Re: Hands in tank = bad skim?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8916345#post8916345 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wojo
Did i read this correctly? I saw it somwhere but i had no idea how had it could affect my skimmer. The foam in a neck dropped like 2 inches soon after me playing with some things in the sump.

Is this true? How to avoid such disruption except for not putting my hangs in water ?

Thanks

Yes its true, it has to do with oils on the skin, along with the tension of the water. Other than keeping your hands out of the water, even with gloves it can happen to some degree.

 

[Cody Ray]

Not to mention it can add phosphates to the water! Another RC member (clkwrk) did a test before and after placing his hands in saltwater and found that the phosphates levels increased even if ur hands are washed.

 

[dfleary]

What kind of gloves are you talking about wearing? Those skin-tight powderless latex (medical style) gloves?

 

[Aquaman]

no, there are gloves made for use in fresh/saltwater settings. Try looking on Aquatic Ecosystem's website. They are usually used for fisheries/hatcheries or pond/lake maintenance.

Most medical gloves have some sort of chemical residue on them

 

[NoSchwag]

Don't know about phospahates but palmolive always worked for me with the beckett skimmer.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=219627&highlight=palmolive

 

[paradicio]

I'm glad I read this thread. My false perc is always attacking me, I was beginning to take it personal!