Protecting ourselfs in reefing

[Ghxst]

So I have been reading to much in the way of the toxins and poisons corals release on a daily basis in our tanks and how some say that those toxins from paly's and zoas can lead to cancer in humans. At the very least there is not enough research done to know. True or not I have decided it is probably best for me, and probably you, to get some protection while dangling our hands in a condensed ocean soup for hours at a time. Does any one use full arm gloves? If so please give us some details. If not here are two I found, one looks to be a heavy duty reusable and the other a garbage bag for your arm. What would you guys think would be better? http://www.gemplers.com/search/shoulder+lenght+gloves

I prefer not having gloves but since I am always getting cut working on the jeep or the house and I refuse to use lotion this seems to be the best route.

 

[MartinsReef]

Always good practice when messing with zoas and palys. Too many people have been hurt and have even died from these toxins.

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[ailachami]

I use gloves because I do use lotion. My tank is shallow and I just get the household nitrile cleaning gloves at Walmart.

 

[MartinsReef]

I just use surgical glove with NO powder.

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[goslugsgo]

Ancient Hawaiians tipped their spears with zoa toxin to make them extra deadly.

I have arm-length gloves but don't use them.

 

[kmcmurtry]

I have the fancy pink arm length kitchen cleaning gloves but never use them because my tank is too deep so they just fill up with water. I try to use my tongs to move small stuff or bare hand for frags. I've had some nasty injuries from moving sharp rock in there but i just keep doing it lol. Definition of insanity. I did wear gloves last night to move a nem. Had a reaction last time i tried to move a huge one using bare arms and hands.

 

[kmcmurtry]

I will add that i never stick my hand in if i have so much as a paper cut until it is completely healed as i have made this dumb mistake before and had a throbbing finger for a week. Last week i had to ignore some fallen frags for this reason as they dropped to the bottom between some rocks.

 

[FinsUp]

I use unpowdered medical gloves like Martin most of the time. I got nailed by toxin poisoning when dipping some frags, because I wasn't wearing gloves. That was HORRIBLE. If I'm reaching in for just a minute, I don't wear them, but for any kind of extended contact, it's gloves on! If I were to do something like redo my rockwork, I would wear the big shoulder length gloves.
For some reason, I don't react to nems, but my skin does not like frogspawn juice at all.

 

[SynDen]

I use a pair of these from time to time when handling anything toxic or if I have had my hands anything that might be toxic to the tank
http://www.marinedepot.com/Coralife...ter_Aquariums-Coralife-ES09505-FIMTPG-vi.html
They do cut down on dexterity a bit though so only use them when I need to, but good to have when you need them

 

[soliver]

I wear gloves when cleaning my predator tank to avoid being stung by the Lion Fish. I Use the gloves from DrsFoster and Smith http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3871

 

[Ghxst]

I buy the 2 box nitrile ones at costco, they come in fashionable grey The problem I have thou is they fill up with water and even when I rubber band them to my wrist the rest of my arm gets wet too. I also have the big elbow length ones that are lunky and difficult to maneuver like mentioned. Do you think that the several hours a week exposed to coral toxins is a big deal or would it be wise to get some 24" long gloves? I have a fairly well mixed reef in a 34g so its a dash of everything poisonous. I seem to have a family history prone to everything....

Thanks for all the replies and tips so far! I am going to look into making/buying cleaning tools small in diameter and long enough to not have to get in the tank.