fumigation help

[christianscorals]

Hello. has anyone with a lot of corals ever had their home fumigated? looking for advice from someone who has experienced having to go through this without being able to move their tanks out..

 

[Gman83]

We had our attic bombed/fumigated, so not the full house. I put clear plastic painting drop cloth over the tank. I would tell the company you have a reef tank and see if they have any recommendations.

It didn't mess with my tank. We had to be out of the house for 3+ hours after.

 

[fishguy242]

shut off skimmer air intakes , @sfin52 ?

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Totally agree with @fishguy242 Turn OFF skimmer! I serviced a tank about a year ago. Their dog crapped on their rug. A cleaning company came in and cleaned it. Then they sprayed the room for odors. Long story short. The next day their two 7 year old clownfish were dead. Not sure how much landed on the surface water. But their skimmer stayed on. Skimmers (fyi) can increase your Ph from 7.8 to 8.3 in no time if you run an airline from your skimmer to an outside window or door. Good luck!

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

run an airline from your skimmer to an outside window or door.

Was just about to say that. That's what I would do.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Are you going to get tented? Then absolutely not. There is no way anything survives that. If there a guy that is coming to spray, that is another thing.

 

[christianscorals]

*More info*

I live in an apartment complex, the complex will be tented for 48 hours since it appears to be infested with termites.

I have a 30g display and 25g frag tank, none which have active skimmers

There is no way to run an airline outside as the buildings will be sealed

I have corals growing every where and can not remove most without removing the rock as well

 

[fishguy242]

can you refuse treatment to your apt ?

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

*More info*

I live in an apartment complex, the complex will be tented for 48 hours since it appears to be infested with termites.

I have a 30g display and 25g frag tank, none which have active skimmers

There is no way to run an airline outside as the buildings will be sealed

I have corals growing every where and can not remove most without removing the rock as well

Yes, you are screwed unless there is no clause in you lease that you can not have tanks in your apartment. Then when your landlord gets a bill for thousands of dollars to move your tanks he might reconsider. Unless his insurance company requires it. Literally you will have to go with the legal route, and there is pros and cons with that.
Sorry for what you are about to go thru, It sucks and is disruptive even if you do not have any tanks.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Give “Peta” a call.

 

[christianscorals]

in conclusion: i’m screwed

 

[Formulator]

*More info*

I live in an apartment complex, the complex will be tented for 48 hours since it appears to be infested with termites.

I have a 30g display and 25g frag tank, none which have active skimmers

There is no way to run an airline outside as the buildings will be sealed

I have corals growing every where and can not remove most without removing the rock as well

There is no way that is surviving a full blown tented fumigation. Fortunately that is a small tank. Don’t over complicate it. If you live on the main floor or have an elevator, get a cart and a team of lifters. Get a 20 gallon tote or brute can and transfer some water, all the rock, and coral to the tote. Add some fresh saltwater. Wheel it out of the building and into a truck. Take it to a friend/family members house and stick a heater and powerhead in there. Leave a few inches of water in the tank over the sand, enough to submerge a mini powerhead. Seal up your entire tank and stand in plastic wrap so its airtight. You can get giant rolls of plastic wrap at shipping stores and moving truck places (UPS, Fedex, Uhaul, etc). After the fumigation, reverse the procedure. Maybe run some carbon and a poly-filter sponge just in case.

 

[christianscorals]

There is no way that is surviving a full blown tented fumigation. Fortunately that is a small tank. Don’t over complicate it. If you live on the main floor or have an elevator, get a cart and a team of lifters. Get a 20 gallon tote or brute can and transfer some water, all the rock, and coral to the tote. Add some fresh saltwater. Wheel it out of the building and into a truck. Take it to a friend/family members house and stick a heater and powerhead in there. Leave a few inches of water in the tank over the sand, enough to submerge a mini powerhead. Seal up your entire tank and stand in plastic wrap so its airtight. You can get giant rolls of plastic wrap at shipping stores and moving truck places (UPS, Fedex, Uhaul, etc). After the fumigation, reverse the procedure. Maybe run some carbon and a poly-filter sponge just in case.

appreciate you. i will just be moving my tanks out with hope that nothing cracks.

 

[Formulator]

appreciate you. i will just be moving my tanks out with hope that nothing cracks.

Moving them with water?

 

[sfin52]

It's a small tank I would strongly recommend moving the tank. I would get a a couple of small stock tanks and lots of buckets.

Vican gas is no joke and extremely lethal to all living things.

 

[christianscorals]

Moving them with water?

moving them with my scapes in tact

 

[carol3]

Another thing to keep in mind, I would think EVERY item in your house will likely be contaminated, wash everything that goes into your tank at any time, tongs, algae scrapers...everything! Always remember to wash your hands before they go into your tank because you will be touching those contaminated surfaces in in your house. When they did the house I lived in I luckly didn't have a tank to worry about. Oh, they told us to either remove our dishes or wash them upon return. Also, make sure to give your appartment plenty of time to air out with your windows open before bringing the tank back in. I would also air it out with the airconditioner/heat running to help clear your duct work. Yes, definitly run carbon for a while. Not fun, hope it goes well, it's a great tank!

 

[Formulator]

It really is a gorgeous tank. I meant to say that in my earlier reply. Well done! And good luck with saving it!

 

[sfin52]

Another thing to keep in mind, I would think EVERY item in your house will likely be contaminated, wash everything that goes into your tank at any time, tongs, algae scrapers...everything! Always remember to wash your hands before they go into your tank because you will be touching those contaminated surfaces in in your house. When they did the house I lived in I luckly didn't have a tank to worry about. Oh, they told us to either remove our dishes or wash them upon return. Also, make sure to give your appartment plenty of time to air out with your windows open before bringing the tank back in. I would also air it out with the airconditioner/heat running to help clear your duct work. Yes, definitly run carbon for a while. Not fun, hope it goes well, it's a great tank!

Vican Gas doesn't leave a residue. No need to wipe down anything unless the pest control professional recommends it.

That treatment was for roaches or another type of pest. That treatment does leave a residual. The reason is that bugs have to crawl across it to die.

Always talk your pcp about before and after treatment for thier recommendations.

 

[carol3]

Vican Gas doesn't leave a residue. No need to wipe down anything unless the pest control professional recommends it.

That treatment was for roaches or another type of pest. That treatment does leave a residual. The reason is that bugs have to crawl across it to die.

Always talk your pcp about before and after treatment for thier recommendations.

That's really good news, it will make things so much easier. The tenting I had to deal with was for turmites but it was years ago, don't know what they used back then.