Way to sanitize hot ponds/check bacterial levels?

[Kenney]

We tested the hotpond water in UH Microbiology lab years ago. In early am
After a nice cleansing high tide, bacteria level was negligible.
End of day, after hundreds of swimmers, much higher levels.
There are endemic pathogens in Hawaiian waters . Can't really bleach
Pacific Ocean. A good immune system can handle most.
Great advise already given. Don't enter pond with open cuts, sores.
Use earplugs if prone to ear infections.
Shower after swimming.
Enjoy!

[glassnumbers]

Thank you Kenney, this post was awesome, I really appreciate it. As for the chlorine thing, thinking on it, I guess the little critters that live there aren't damaged by staph or bacteria somehow! Strange how something so nasty to us doesn't even bother them, I was thinking "Damn, staph? MSRA? That can't be good for anything." but lots of stuff only effects humans.

Aloha

[randomq]

Bleach? I just pee in the hot ponds as much as possible, since pee has ammonia. It helps if you drink a six pack before climbing in, and a few during. A floating cooler will keep you from having to jump in and out of your floating lounger.

The grease on your skin is also a natural protectant, so don't bathe for a couple days or more before hand. You can supplement that with a thick layer of sun screen, which will also coat the fish and reefs and protect them from the sun as well!





Just kidding, welcome to punaweb

[DanielP]

glass, I am sure that you have many questions. Try studying using the search function; tons of info

[TomK]

"Just kidding, welcome to punaweb "

And there I was, while reading your post, thinking the ponds might be a decent spot to dump leftover antibiotics to help kill off the bacteria...

[Carey]

Glass#. the State of Hawaii already does the water quality tests for many of the public beaches, including Ahalanui Beach Park (Site # 001143)
http://emdweb.doh.hawaii.gov/CleanWaterB...ier=001143

As this is a GUARDED ocean Park, with many marine animals, including some federally listed species, anything you poured into the pond would not only be detrimental to the environment, but could also be very detrimental to your wallet & possibly your freedom, as that would not be a legal action... If your wish is to enjoy chlorinated water, Pahoa Pool is open daily (except holidays like this Monday & training/treatment days) & is a divine resource for those that would rather not dip into a very living ecosystem...

Also, anyone with any immune compromised system, or with any open injuries, the ocean around Hawaii would not be the best choice to indulge in....

Always shower off after any swim in the ocean, making sure that you spend some attention on microbe trapping areas like ears & skin folds...

And this week, hopefully most of us realize that the state is looking to restrict the use of sunscreens that can damage our coral reefs, so please also look at the sunscreen you have, if you are not positive it is coral safe, maybe this is the time to invest in our islands future & get yourself a sunscreen that you are positive is coral safe.... & always rinse off lotions & oil before going into any ocean area near shore (& near reefs....)

[glassnumbers]

Where can I find reef safe sunscreen? I tried googling it and what I got was a product that says its reef safe, but it actually isn't.

Aloha

[TomK]

If you're susceptible to sunburn or worried about exposure to the sun, I don't think there's any law preventing you from simply wearing a T-shirt, even a long-sleeved one, while bathing in the warm ponds. That way you won't need to be too concerned about the appropriate sunscreen.

Now someone is going to educate me about T-shirts and their detrimental effects on corals!

[DanielP]

try a dive shop

[glassnumbers]

http://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/about-the-s...SPF_50%2B/

I found one, the fake "reef safe" one was clogging google and I had to go a more roundabout method of research.

Aloha