How toxic is fish waste water to humans?

[Matak]

I heard recently that a family got sick and the source of the illness was traced to the tank change water that was poured down the kitchen sink. This story was related to me as I was doing my tank change. I asked about the source of the information and I was told that it was from "a freind of a freind"

I pour my tank water down the kitchen sink as it is the closest sink so I need to know if there is any risk. Does anyone have any info on this?

 

[Nokinja]

I would wager it's hearsay. Anyone that's kept a tank for an extended period has at some time drank the fish water when siphoning for a water change. I know I haven't been sick yet.

 

[gonefishin]

I could see someone getting sick if they dank fishwater regularly, but a small ammount of residual bacteria stuck in the kitchen sink, then transfered to say, a plate or cup containing many other things like food or drink, now thats a longshot. Does this freind of a friend of a friend clean thier sink? do they do so with a sponge or thier toung?

 

[Matak]

I could see someone getting sick if they dank fishwater regularly, but a small ammount of residual bacteria stuck in the kitchen sink, then transfered to say, a plate or cup containing many other things like food or drink, now thats a longshot. Does this freind of a friend of a friend clean thier sink? do they do so with a sponge or thier toung?

:soda:

 

[Cearbhaill]

It was from an episode of Nip/Tuck- some rare South American bacteria grew from Discus water being discarded through a hot tub drain.

Just don't drink tankwater.

 

[aquariumfishguy]

Well - nitrates aren't a concern... many people drink tap water with higher nitrates than in many of our aquariums!

... Bacteria are really the only things to be concerned with (although I'm sure one could find other issues), and you can catch some illnesses associated with a sick fish. I would say your chances of getting sick from a little aquarium water is rare at best.

"A little dirt won't hurt".

 

[Matak]

Cearbhaill: Thank you for that clue. I go now to see if this is the source of the (mis)information.

"A little dirt won't hurt".

"Immunity through exposure", I always say.