termite fumigation...what to do about reef?

[fc.pride]

Have any of you reefers gone through a fumigation?
there was a thread (dont know if it was on this forum) about this now i cant find it.
any help? what to do?

 

[pledosophy]

Get the microwave style fumigators instead of the poisionous gas ones. They did my entire apartment in 3 hours, everything stayed in the tank and was fine.

 

[fc.pride]

i cant im paying a pro and they gonna tent the place.

 

[glaudds]

My post from this thread...

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=787551

My house was tented for termites a few years back. Moving the tank would be the ideal solution, but it wasn't possible at the time.
What I did was turn off the return to the sump and sealed the tank with duct tape and the plastic the exterminators give you to store food items. Kept the powerheads and heater running and turned off the lights.
The main thing I did was run an airline from an outside compressor into the sealed tank. This provided not only fresh air to the tank, but more importantly positive pressure within the tank to prevent the entry of the fumigant.
Luckily, everything survived and has been running since. Just my experience and not one I wish on anybody. Good luck...

 

[fc.pride]

glau...thanks

 

[fc.pride]

glau...thanks
would this be ok for 2 days?

 

[Wilafur]

do a search. there are quite a few threads on fumigation and reefs.

 

[pledosophy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7606073#post7606073 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fc.pride
i cant im paying a pro and they gonna tent the place.

The microwave fumigators are pro's. It's a little more expensive but worth it to me not to have to be out of the house for 2 days. JMO

 

[glaudds]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7606143#post7606143 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fc.pride
glau...thanks
would this be ok for 2 days?

My house was tented for two days and the tank was fine. Remember, this is just my ONE experience and not something that I can speak with 100% confidence. Anything can go wrong and you must accept the risk of the tank not making it.
Something you may want to consider...possible heat issues with the tank with the house closed for two days during the warm weather.
Good luck...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7607823#post7607823 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pledosophy
The microwave fumigators are pro's. It's a little more expensive but worth it to me not to have to be out of the house for 2 days. JMO

Again, I'm not an expert, but from what I understand tenting the house was the only way at that time to make sure you get ALL the termites...ie they could also be in the second floor rafters or in areas unaccessible for inspection. Not a chance I wanted to take with my home.
Is the microwave method for spot treatment or whole house?

 

[JenDub]

I'd throw a couple poly filters into the tank & sump just to add a little extra filtration. Maybe a big bag of carbon also?

 

[fc.pride]

thanks for all the help guys.
glau.. your advice sounds very solid.
i tried to look for that earlier thread but somehow i didnt search correctly or something it was for regular fumigation. not termites.

 

[glaudds]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7609411#post7609411 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JenDub
I'd throw a couple poly filters into the tank & sump just to add a little extra filtration. Maybe a big bag of carbon also?

Good advice, I forgot to mention I did exactly that.

Here's an interesting quote from another fumigating thread today...
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=870859

By the way, I worked for a termite Co. years ago.
Micro-waving is B.S.
Even the owner of the company said so.
Most of the time he told us just to set up Micro in front of the customers, ask them to leave, then inject with chemical.
Almost never even turned micro on.
It was dishonest and I hated it.
Tenting is the only way to get them all, or local injection for small/new infestation.
good luck.

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