BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish Tank Hygiene

((Everybody))

I tend to go overboard with things. Remember that commercial of the mom that bought expensive diapers in the beginning and then 'got over it'? LOL. Like that <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My question is...I'm a smoker living with a non-smoker so when I smoke (in my office where the Betta tank is) I'm right beside a window but hold the cigarette down to it with a fan blowing smoke out the window. This has caused my index and middle finger to get yellow (worth it to keep the smoke away from my boyfriend and Betta) so...

When I work in the tank, even after I wash and RINSE, RINSE my hands well, the yellow is still there. Should I wear gloves to work in the tank do you think and are latex gloves safe?

Am I just being too cautious?

Also, any and all other tank hygiene issues I'd love to know about if you'll share.

Thank you!

I used to smoke and suffered from the same problem. I don't think that the stains are any real threat to your fish,

I however did find a solution to the yellow. I made sure I moisturized my hands regularly as dry skin soaks in the nicotine and I eventually taught myself not hold the cigarette when inhaling. These two things solved the yellow finger issue completely.

Of course you could just quit.LOL

((BiffMalawi))

Thank you. I'll try that. I use lemon juice and the scrungie part of a sponge but it doesn't help much.

Quitting won't happen anytime soon I don't think. I'm pretty hooked.

I worry about it on my fingers while working in the tank but the smoke in the air (even though most exits via the window) can enter the filter and can poison fish so I guess it's a silly concern of mine <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

I shouldn't have set the tank up in here but I'm in here allll the time so he has company in here. He can see me and vice versa while I sit at my desk. My boyfriend insisted on angling the tank on the stand towards me so I could see the Betta better. I thought it looked stupid but he was so right.

I think if I find that latex gloves are safe, I'll use them. Not only will it protect the fish I'll eventually add and the Betta but it will protect me as well if illness hits the tank (I'm a nail bitter too).

The carbon in the filter should take care of any smoke that enters the tank, just make sure you change the carbon every 2-3 wks.

If you get the latex gloves make sure you rinse it really well because it usually has some sort of powder on it fresh out of the box. Also make sure your hands etc don't have soap residue on them or lotion etc.

Sounds sound <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Thanks