Tip of the Day – 2/10/2014

If you’ve spent the better part of your day working on the car, fixing the lawnmower, or just getting your hands dirty in some other manly way, then chances are you’ve got tons of chemicals on your hands that are harmful to your aquarium inhabitants. Washing your hands with dish soap, in many cases, will get them clean enough to tinker in your aquarium. But more often than not, you’ll have to wash your hands over and over again just to get them clean. The big downside to this is that the soap isn’t exactly good for your aquarium either. So, here’s where you make some choices. You could spring for the organic soaps or some of those ultra harsh automotive soaps, but whatever route you take, make sure to rinse them thoroughly with plenty of water. Don’t just rinse long enough to get the bubbles off, but rinse with the idea that there are so many chemicals on your hands that you can’t see. Use something to scrub your hands with, use tons of water, and dry thoroughly once you’re finished. If there is still any doubt, keep on washing.