Advice Needed...How to Protect My Aquarium

[bmayzgirl]

An Exterminator will be at my home this coming Sunday. I have never had to deal with this before and need advice on how to protect my reef aquarium, I want to keep it safe and get all the creepy crawlers out of my home! PLEASE HELP, all advice will be much appreciated!!!!
Thank You

 

[happysak]

I cover mine with plastic bag

 

[luvabunny]

I would let the exterminator know that you have an aquarium before he begins. There are a lot of products that can be used instead of something that will harm your fish.

I would also cover the aquarium with plastic - a tarp, a trashbag, painters sheeting - whatever it takes to completely cover all opening and allow it to hang down quite a bit. Be sure the lights are off and stay off - fix your timers so they don't come on, etc.

Also, depending on what kind of system you have, you may want to cover and turn off the circulation while the exterminator is on the premisis. I wouldn't do it for all day, but a couple of hours shouldn't hurt anything.

If your home is being sealed and bombed for those 24 hour exterminations, I really don't know what to tell you except good luck.

 

[cody6766]

I bombed my house a few weeks ago and had no issues.

I put trashbags on top of the tank, taped to the sides. They were taped together and I draped them over the top. They were on teh water's surface and taped to the sides, so no poison could get in. I tossed another bag over the sump, killed everything aside from the powerheads and let loose. I've done this twice with no ill results either time.

If he's only spraying I'd just have him go light around the back of the tank or seal off the sump with a trash bag.

 

[sland]

I bombed my house a few weeks ago and had no issues.

I put trashbags on top of the tank, taped to the sides. They were taped together and I draped them over the top. They were on teh water's surface and taped to the sides, so no poison could get in. I tossed another bag over the sump, killed everything aside from the powerheads and let loose. I've done this twice with no ill results either time.

If he's only spraying I'd just have him go light around the back of the tank or seal off the sump with a trash bag.

Exactly what I did and what I told him to do, not a problem. Be sure to tell them like the above post said as some companies expect these kinds of issues and can offer a safer but effective product.

 

[pwhitby]

I would get an airpump positioned outside the house with an airline into the tank. This will force air out of the tank, through any gaps in the polythene screening around the tank and prevent any fumes getting in, and keep the tank oxygenated.

Paul.

 

[Triple_B]

I would get an airpump positioned outside the house with an airline into the tank. This will force air out of the tank, through any gaps in the polythene screening around the tank and prevent any fumes getting in, and keep the tank oxygenated.

Paul.

Thats a great idea... Make your Aquarium positive pressure like a clean room.

 

[bmayzgirl]

Thank you all very much for the advice! Now my house will be critter free and my fish will be safe as well!

 

[gregzbobo]

Probably a bit late, but it might be a good idea to put a small powerhead or run airline tubing from an airpump into the sump also if you have one in the system, especially if the sump has rock or a refugium in it.

 

[thesnailgal]

great idea

great idea

I would get an airpump positioned outside the house with an airline into the tank. This will force air out of the tank, through any gaps in the polythene screening around the tank and prevent any fumes getting in, and keep the tank oxygenated.

Paul.

That really is a good idea they sell a inexpensive 120v inflater for kids toys and air beds at walmart. me and my husband were talking about what if we ever had to bomb our house.. great idea!

 

[cjilge]

Turn off your skimmer. it will suck in the air and you know the rest. follow everyones advise above its pretty sound and you should be good to go. how's the tank? havent seen you guys in a while!

Chris