Reef tank Bacterias..

[Delphinus]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Troy F:
I've read on numerous occasions how there are many nasty bacteria and toxins in our tanks. I'm not reffering to "I heard" type things but from respected sources.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Oh yes, and don't forget things like mold and mildew. Easy enough to grow in a humid environment and not so good to be breathing in.

But that aside for a moment, would you think exposure to tank water any worse than, say, using a public restroom? Think about those nasties living on surfaces in those. I'll take my tank water over that any day!

Basically, common sense should prevail.

If you put your hands in the tank water and that, in and of itself, is enough to make you sick, then I don't want to be anywhere near that tank, that's not "normal" IMHO. Now, putting your hand in tank water, ANY tank water, but NOT washing your hands properly before going to eat something, or you bite your fingernails, or something like that ... that's a different scenario entirely.

For example ... Even the swampiest water of swamps .... seems to me just getting that water on your skin shouldn't be enough to make you sick. SWALLOWING some of it though, or just getting any of it in or near your mouth, and yeah, you are risking one nice little case of giardia or whatever....

[Edited: I had misspelled "giardia."]

[ 09 January 2002: Message edited by: delphinus ]