Unusual Question: Pregancy & Planted Tanks

I think you'd be better off asking that question to her doctor rather than a group of hobbyists.


Mike

Figured someone on here must have gone through this already and could save me a doctor visit!

well many fish things say-known to cause cancer by the state of california so id say no! you might just call a nurse too not go for a visit

Like Mike said, if you are concerned, ask her doctor.

Other than that, I would apply some common sense. There is a lot of critters, like bacteria, in your fish tank, just as in your kitchen, bedroom, backyard, etc. I don't think any of them are causing cancer or other problems for normal humans with a normal immunity system. I know a lot of people that worked in agricultural jobs (field workers) while pregnant, compared to that getting some fishpoop on your hands is really benign.

Might want to stay away from concentrated goodies like Excel and micro mixes. Once they are diluted in tank water... I don't think they pose any risk. Dry macro fertilizers are pretty harmless.

Enjoy the time you have left before the little one joins you. :0

Again, if concerned, disregard any advise given here and ask the doctor!!!!

I totally agree with what has already been said above.
Why take any chances, have her stay out of the tank.
14 years ago I took a chance was even told by my Dr. there was nothing to worry about I should be OK. NOT my son was born with out vital signs and revived he now has a life time to struggle through with a disability.(I totally blame myself) Just not worth it.

I use the complete SeaChem line of ferts - N, P, K, Fe, Flourish, Trace and Excel - and have wondered why Excel is the only one that is packaged with a child-proof cap.

Apparently somebody thinks there's bad goo in Excel, so I'd be careful about that one.

Regards,
Mike

Plus pregant women shouldn't come in contact with certain bacteria that's comonly found in the kitty litter box...

I'd stay away from the aquarium. It's full of unknown bacteria, protozoa, & other invertebrates.

sticking your arm in the tank then washing it shortly after should have no ill effects, If your dosing stuff like Rid Ich or other medications i would avoid it.

But if your tank is fairly natural such as just fertilzers, fish and plants. Not much to worrry about. Not much will be soaked in through the skin, just dont go drinking or licking the water from your hands! And everything causes cancer according to california lol. Id say its a fairly safe thing.

What I experienced : dont get too tired and mess with your tank.

I cannot agree more that the tank is a bank of bacteria and when your immunity/stamina is down there is a chance that you will get infected. I personally tasted typhoid because I was too tired finishing a large tank within a day! (pretty sure I did not consume any infected food).

Though I cannot see too much potential danger of dipping hands/working for a very short while. It is just far less dangerous than direct ingestion.

eon17 said:

well many fish things say-known to cause cancer by the state of california so id say no! you might just call a nurse too not go for a visit

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then again it is California... and pretty much everything is known to cause cancer in California...

I also agree, ask your doctor. But I would have to think, if she is fine doing some laundry and handling detergent, bleach, etc, then she should be fine handling aquarium chemicals.

The only thing that I know is communicable between fish and humans is TB. I've never known of any humans catching ich, swim bladder, or pop eye.

Our skin is like a sponge ,ingestion is not the only way our bodies can get infected. My experience was by absorption through the skin. If she feel a need to go in the tank get her some aquatic gloves.

If you tank has a bunch of chemicals in it ( tank meds) I would not let her mess with the tank. Fertilizers are pretty diluted in the tank to the point that household cleaners are more caustic. If you have sick fish that require medications, you can dose the tank for her, but if she needs to do anything in the tank with chemical levels high, I would equip her with full sleeve aquatic gloves and a rubber dishwasher's apron just to be on the safe side.

Trust me...the doctor will not know and advise she avoid it. Been there done that. The kitty poop may have the plasmodium(?) that causes toxoplasmosis, but that isn't in tanks. Plenty of stuff may be in tanks though so she should wear long gloves to play in the tank and wash her hands afterwards.

Those birth defect messages on Melafix, for example, are disturbingly vague. Do you have to eat it? Inject it? Merely breathe it?

Congratulations, by the way!

Excel is a powerful protein fixer so I would definitely stay away from it.

Other than that I would say that everything else will be diluted beyond toxicity.

Keep her away from the tank. You never know what might be floating around in the waters. Or chem's that might have a negative reaction with her. Best to keep her hands out till after the babys here.

Blacksunshine said:

Keep her away from the tank. You never know what might be floating around in the waters. Or chem's that might have a negative reaction with her. Best to keep her hands out till after the babys here.

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I totally agree. Why take a chance.

After the baby is born you'll both wish all that time wasted messing with the tank was time spent either sleeping or ummm..practicing making another baby. Once the little one comes along you'll have very little opportunity for either of them.