Hmm...water changes and a cut on hand?

[FRIENDLYFISHIES]

I gashed my thumb pretty good on glass about a week ago...ive been putting a bandaid on it et, but its still not healed :/ ..it must have been pretty deep...id say its about 75% healed...anywho...Ive put off my water changes until it heals but I had my mom test my water today, im at 0.25 ammonia...I need to change my water but is it risky? If it were a superficial cat scratch I wouldnt worry, but this cut is pretty deep...should I do a water change or give myself a couple more days of healing time? I dont want my fishes to get sick but I dont wanna catch something either...thoughts?

[cossie]

Tour fish will be fine for a few days whilst your hand heals Hope it get better

[emc7]

If you've stocked correctly, a few weeks w/o water changes won't kill fish. When you feel better, do larger ones for awhile. But you should be able to change water without dunking your hand. Skip the gravel-wash and siphon from the top or use long nitrite gloves or a liquid bandages like new-skin if you need to put the hand in for any reason.

Aquarium acquired infection are very rare, but can be extremely serious. Some care is warranted, but don't worry about it.

[Vicdad999999]

plastic bag and duct tape your hand to waterproof it works. ive had gashes as well and read a news article of some little girl that got flesh eating disease from her 10 gallon tank last year. Since then , any cut i have i wrap it and duck tape it. While i know its rare i tend to have bad luck and whats a few minutes of caution. story is here in case you wondering. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellnes...ry?id=13837034

[Ice]

Latex or any rubber gloves shouldn't stop you from doing any water changes. Gotta learn to improvise... lol!

[Obsidian]

If you use a glove- wrap the top with duct tape, or waterproof sports tape (duct is way cheaper). Having it on but letting water into the glove defeats your purpose

[MainelyFish]

Come on Friendly your a mainer... tough it out... haha

I would get a good pair of gloves and you should be good to go... I have a good cut on my hand and thats what I have been doing...

[FRIENDLYFISHIES]

Good to know, thanks everyone...I just wasn't sure if the gloves would be harmful to the fishes =P

[0828Dawn]

you could get those saltwater rubber gloves (Coralife Aqua Gloves) or maybe the Tunze protective gloves (although I'm unsure if they are actually rubber or simply plastic gloves) -- other than that and with past personal experience with cuts/fish-water I'd say simply wait until it's healed!

[lohachata]

if you have cuts or scratches and are working in an aquarium wash you hands thoroughly right after with a good antibacterial soap...