Fumigating

[mraafat]

Hey everyone, they are going to be fumigating my building for termites, and all the tenants in the building have to be out for 48 hours. I am already upset about this, but my question is what can I do to prevent any damages or death to my 120g residents? Is there anyone who can keep my fish for those two days (willing to give you some $$$)? I have a 5" blue regal tang, and two clowns. I live in Davis, and any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Reefugee]

Are you going to be breaking down your tank and moving it out of the building during the fumigation? I don't know what type of pesticide they use, but any residue inside your tank could potentially cause problems for future inhabitant. If you can't remove your tank, then I would suggest that wrap it up really well in plastic wrap to try to keep the pesticide out of your tank, piping, and sump.


As far as keeping the fish, you can simply put the fish into two 5 gallon bucket (one for the tang and one for the clowns), and keep it running with an airstone and/or small powerhead. The fish should be able to survive in a 5G bucket for a few days. If your in a hotel - just take the 5G bucket with you.

 

[Unarce]

I was thinking the same thing. You could probably seal it off pretty well with duct tape and garbage bags.

Seal off a couple of holes for a powerhead or two, and I'm pretty sure the tank would do fine without lights for 48 hours.

The one concerned I'd have would be oxygen. You could take it a step further, and maybe borrow an oxygen tank from a LFS. Perhaps at the lowest setting, it'll supply just enough without bursting the bubble.

 

[seaworks]

I'm wondering if an air pump connected to an air stone or two would do the job.

 

[pepe.king.prawn]

air stone would suck in the pesticides and disperse them into the tank via the air bubbles. You'd have to put some sort of charcoal filter or liquid trap to catch any airborne residue before it makes it into the tank. My guess is that the fumigant might not harm the fish so much as athropods and perhaps inverts in your tank. Regardless, aim to get as little in the tank as possible. The easiest way to do it would be to move your tank out. There have been a few threads on this same topic, but I would recommend you talk to the fumigation company. They do it for a living, and I'm willing to bet they've faced this before.

If you find out what chemical they use to fumigate with, I'll do my best to look into it. Good luck.

 

[saltykelly]

Try to find out what they are fumigating with. I am a pest tech. As far as your tank goes moving it is always best, but not necessary. With pesticide toxicity levels they are normally measured in parts per million. That is, how many parts per million is proven to be deadly, or harmful. With fish and other aquatic species it is measured in parts per billion. Youd be suprised how safe it is though. I've accidentally spayed pesticide above my 10 gal nano reef a few times and never lost anything. I'd remove the fish and inverts and do the bucket thing. Then cover the tank with plastic and seal with duct tape. Remove any open circuit pumps such as air pumps, or ps. Anything that could inject the air into the tank. Other than that you should be fine. You'd be suprised that most of the chemicals we use everyday in our kitchen or bathroom are more dangerous than the pesticides we can use in calif.

 

[miracles38]

I've read some other threads were they put a large airpump outside and pump the air into the plastic covered/well taped up tank area. This creates a positive pressure inside the plastic and the pesticides can't get in. This has worked for other people. I have no experience.

 

[Nu2SW]

I have had to bomb my hosue a couple of times.... this is what you do

Turn off all filters and pumps. Cover the tank with a Plastic drop cloth or tarp and with Duct tape to seal the bottom of the tarp/cloth around the bottom of the tank so nothing gets in. Repeate process for sumps and refugium and anything else that has or touches water.

Take all your foods and bottles and anything that isnt heavy in a bag with you.

If nothing can get in then you are fine.

I have 3 tanks, did it with mine and they are all fine. I left my fish in the tanks with only a small power head running. It was only a couple of hours, so I didnt have to take them out. But 48, yeah what minh said is fine.

Also after you take the tarp off, make sure you wash your hands and anything that was exposed.

OH also if you run a closed loop, any places where to pipes join, you could seal off with some tape.... Always safe then sorry.

 

[mraafat]

Thanks for everyone's help, and I really appreciate the advice. I think I am going to seal the tank, take the fish with me and house them in a 10 gal container, and do some serious water changes after this escapade.