Teremei, Please disregard the following statement. It is statements like this that get picked up and get repeated over and over until they are accepted as fact.
"Gloves. Works every time for me. There are too many poisons, bacteria, etc, in a marine tank for me to be willing to stick my hands into them anymore.:
bertoni, you are not serious are you? A properly functioning reef tank does not have the pathogenic bacteria necessary or in sufficient concentration that would pose any risk to a human being. As far as toxins, the same applies. There is not a single organic or inorganic molecule found in the reef tank that could possibly harm you at the very dilute concentratins present . My only concern when I put my hands into my tank is that I am introducing something into the water column that will harm my fauna.
If what you say had any validity we would see thousands of cases of illness each year affecting those who spend hours swimming in the ocean with no protection and who frequently swallow significant amounts of water! Please tell me you were pulling our legs!