Hardwood floor refinishing and aquarium

[fvandijk]

I've got a 92 gallon corner aquarium in my living room and my floors need refinishing (sanding and recoating).

Apparently options include traditional polyurethane and a newer water based coat.

Has anyone had any experience with refinishing hardwood floors WITHOUT moving their tanks? The company we are planning to use do not want to give any types of guarantee with respect to the safety of the tank, but recommended that we use the water based coating if I plan to leave the tank in place. Do I try to cover and tape off the tank from the living room with some type of vent to the outside, or is this excessive and am I worrying too much? I would hate to lose everything.

 

[pdkinsel]

Is the tank sitting in an area that needs refinishing under it? If so and you do not do that area and ever sell the house, you would have to eventually do that.
The water based coating is prob recommended as it might have lower VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) or less chemical in the air. I would be equally worried about the dust from sanding even though they will prob be using dustless sanders, etc. There is still some level of dust.
There was a thread about a guy that successfully sealed his tank off during a whole house termite treatment a while back. He seemed to have done a pretty good job. He seemed to have had a pretty big tank though.

 

[fvandijk]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll look up the thread. I hope the fumes are not quite as toxic as with termite treatment since we're being told we can stay in the house.

I don't think I'm going to refinish under the tank. I understand the implications of not finishing the area under the tank, but unless I'm going to replace it with a bigger tank I don't even want to consider moving it.

Anyone else with any thoughts?

 

[Pacific Reefs]

I would post in the Reef Discussion section for more feedback. How long does it take to dry?

If nothing more I would at least run lots of carbon.

 

[barfish]

i actually do floor restoration, the lower voc's in a water based or a modified finish will help but even using a dustless system , which i use there is still alot of dust. especially when they have to cut the edges around the tank. are you having the floor sanded or screened. i for 1 would move the tank, is their a room in the house that isnt getting done, you really wont have any issue with odor but id turn off skimmer, your prob. will be dust from the old finish and wood. resin or oil based dust ' and reef tank dont really go good together.