My local pond store sells arm length nitrile gloves, designed specifically for use in deep water..or tanks. Brand name is Atlas (the same company that makes the rubber palmed work gloves you can find in just about any hardware store, feed store, etc.)
I am a newbie here on this forum, so please forgive me for giving advice. . I'm a biologist and must say that the bacteria in tanks isn't very good for you. There's stuff in the water than can cause infections that are hard to clear up. If have an open sore on your hands and stick them into salt water, nasty things like Pseudomonas or Staphyloccus can cause a severe infection that can, in the case of someone with a depressed immune system, kill you-or at least cause you to lose an arm. This is especially true of salt water tanks. I am a cancer survivor. In the process of treatment, I lost a lot of the lymph nodes in my arms. Lymph nodes are like nets..they catch the little nasties that we always come in contact with no matter what we are doing; gardening, petting animals, even opening doors in public places. If you don't have them, any bacteria that gets into you via a break in your skin can serve as an entry point and once it's in your system, you're in trouble. Remember, our blood is virtually the same chemistry as warm salt water. Bacteria have no problems with it.
While i was recovering from my cancer surgery, my oncologist asked me what my hobbies were. I said "salt water aquariums, riding horses, and digging in my gardens." he said, "No, no, and no."
Well, I'm not going to give up the things that I enjoy, so I've worn gloves ever since, and..knock wood...haven't had any infections.
But just be aware. I won't stick my bare hands in any tank, be it fresh or salt.
