Bedbug Heat Treatments and 900 gallon reef.

[Bennytheblenny]

I am trying to figure out what to do with my tank while my house is heated up to 150 degrees for 6 hours to roast bedbugs. I am thinking of keeping the tank running, sealing up the "fish room" and have my 2HP water cooled chiller and AC unit working over time. I am worried that such a temp spike could cause issues with the structural integrity of the tank. I am trying to make sure that I don't have 2 disasters on my hand at the end of the day.

 

[Bennytheblenny]

Should have included a link to my build:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1810999

 

[dave.m]

If you isolate the fishroom from the treatment won't the sump become a haven for fifth column bedbugs?

Dave.M

 

[benjc]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. You have a very large water volume and air is a relatively poor conductor of heat. Someone smarter than me could probably provide a calculation to estimate the heat transfer to the tank. That said, it probably wouldn't hurt to drop the tank temp a couple degrees in the days leading up to the work. I'd also shut down the skimmer during the work. If you are really concerned, you could freeze a couple 2 liter bottles of water and stick them in the sump just before they turn on the heat.

 

[Bennytheblenny]

I am more worried about keeping the pumps/electronics cool during the process. I was contemplating heating the room as well but I was worried about the water temps.

 

[guserto4]

I'd be worried about a few bugs being in the fish room living and having them reseed the house afterwards. Idk how you do it, but I think you've got to cook the whole house.

 

[sfsuphysics]

put a hunk of styrofoam over any exposed water areas if you're worried about heating up the tank too much, perhaps run a hose under the styro to the outside to bring in fresh air.

 

[EBOLII]

I would wrap tank in Styrofoam like he said. Rent or invest in 2nd chiller to alleviate the strain, setup fans for circulation in tank room.

another option is get a bladder or kiddy pool and setup outside/garage and move your investments [labor intensive I'm sure]

that's a tough situation all around - keep us informed

 

[ericarenee]

put a hunk of styrofoam over any exposed water areas if you're worried about heating up the tank too much, perhaps run a hose under the styro to the outside to bring in fresh air.

This but two hoses a 30 gallon or so tub and a Water pump.... Run two houses out of the house and circulate water from a Tub that you can dump ice into to keep it cool... This way you can turn non essential equipment off Cover the SUMP and Unplug electronics such as controllers and lights...


This is What i would Do...... Never had Bedbugs . but know someone who did. Be sure to pull all mattresses off the bed and stand them up or the bugs will be insulated......... My Friend worked as a Home Care Nurse where she picked them up from... I hear you can get them from Grocery store being to close to someone who has them very bad ...

Bugs EEEEK......

Good Luck

 

[Bennytheblenny]

I would wrap tank in Styrofoam like he said. Rent or invest in 2nd chiller to alleviate the strain, setup fans for circulation in tank room.

another option is get a bladder or kiddy pool and setup outside/garage and move your investments [labor intensive I'm sure]

that's a tough situation all around - keep us informed

I am covering the exposed portion of the tank in styrofoam, dropping the tank temperature a few degrees just in case and turning off as many heat sources as I can. I will keep the water cooled chiller running and seal off the utility room as best as I can. It has a standalone air conditioner that I hope can keep up with the temps. They slowly raise the temp to 135 degrees and keep it there for 3 hours, I hope the silicone holds up.

I am lucky that the bugs are very few in numbers (3 inspectors were unable to find live bugs at all) and the bug sniffing dog only hit on 2 bedrooms on the opposite side of the house on the main and 2nd floor. If I didn't capture 2 live adults and a nymph in my bedroom I would not even know I had them.

 

[Editour2]

Good luck Lucas.....I had a scare with my daughter being bit when she slept at night...had a bedbug inspection and then paid for the dry ice test....thankfully all was negative...turns out she was getting hives from stress.

 

[EBOLII]

It's a tough scenario all around. I believe the bugs are starting to adapt to chemicals used against them, why they seem to be rampant these days

Good luck, I don't see why the silicone would fail. That would be a disaster

 

[JWClark]

It's a tough scenario all around. I believe the bugs are starting to adapt to chemicals used against them, why they seem to be rampant these days

Good luck, I don't see why the silicone would fail. That would be a disaster

Actually, the reason they are so rampant these days is because the hotel industry switched from spraying for cockroach control (which knocked down bed bugs as well) to using bait--which bed bugs do not eat.

If you have a heavy infestation and/or the fish room is close to the bedroom then it is possible there are some hiding in there somewhere.

Everybody seems to have good suggestions for the tank but maybe you should minimize electronics operation as well to protect those assets. Also, do not use styrofoam that has been in your house for a while. Buy new to ensure there are no bed bugs hiding in there--they can squeeze into the smallest of cracks/holes, especially young nymphs.