P.P.E. - Personal Protective Equipment

The Ohhh Nooo's Lady is back again

I worked in a large chain pet store (won't mention the name) for many years. With O.S.H.A. regulations and the like, there was a term we used for protective gear: P.P.E.

It was uncomfortable and difficult to work in. The glasses fogged up, the gloves would rip half the time, and the face masks made it difficult to breathe. It was something we all hated, and wanted to avoid at all cost... but we stuck with it for many reasons.

I was reminded of the importance of protective equipment after reading a post on Advanced Aquarist*: How NOT to frag zoanthids. (*Bloggers note: While certainly a good read, Advanced Aquarist has no affiliation with ChromisReef.com). The video shows a hobbyists casually fragging some Zoanthids: he is using a sharp tool and no protective hand, face, or eye wear. In the article, the reality of danger is brought home through an actual story shared on 3Reef, where a hobbyist and LFS employee has lost vision in one eye due to the effects of Palytoxin. I suggest reading the thread here: Don't Rub Your Eyes After Handling Zoanthids/Palythoa.




I hate to be a fear monger, and don't want to scare anyone away from "reefing". A reef tank isn't something we should be afraid of, but it is something we should be cautious with, and always be vigilant. I do feel that hobbyists should take precautions when working around their tank, especially when fragging coral.

Wear your "PPE":

• Protect your hands. There are things that can cause us harm in our tank including small critters and toxins. Ensure you do not have any open cuts or wounds when your hands are in your tank. Wearing gloves when fragging coral or even for general maintenance can help prevent allergies and negative reactions. You can use hospital style nitrile gloves or pick up a pair of tank specific gloves such as the Coralife Aqua Gloves (One Pair Shoulder Length Protective Gloves). 
• Eye protection/face shield. Protect your eyes so you can see your aquarium! Some goggles from the garage can help prevent splashes and help keep your hands away from your eyes. A Full Face Splash Shield (such as a 3M Professional Faceshield) provides protection for your eyes, nose, and mouth. This is a nice device to have on hand when you're using a dremel tool or coral cutter.
• Breathing mask or Respirator. When mixing chemicals such as Kalkwasser, this may be an extra safety measure worth taking.
• A lab coat or apon are optional, but might be a nice touch. You would certainly look cool with the lab coat and test kits.

Some of these options may seem extreme, I know. They're probably not even necessary for every situation, but after reading the story on 3Reef, the extra measures may be worth it. No one wants to damage their vision (or worse, die) because they accidentally touched their eye or forgot to wash their hands.

Use your best judgement when working with your tank. Don't cross over your kitchen and reef tank supplies. Wash your hands before and after working with your aquarium. Keep a list of your tank inhabitants in case something happens and you need to tell the E.R. Be careful with other pets around your tank. Don't eat anything from your aquarium. Lastly, wear your PPE.  Be safe. Be smart.