Termites and Resealing

johnhenry1 · 04/06/2014, 02:26 PM

So I just bought a used tank, it was a really good deal. Unfortunately, the stand has/had termites in it. Can the stand be spot treated for termites or maybe tented? Its a really nice stand and it would be a shame to get rid of it. Also, the tank is very well built, however, it is almost 10 years old, so should i reseal it? thanks.

eastfernstreet · 04/06/2014, 03:42 PM

Remember, a gallon of water weighs nearly 8.5 lbs.. So, a 90 gallon tank, including the weight of the glass, covers, lights, etc. is going to come it at about 1,000 pounds.

If the termite damage is minor or limited to decorative pieces, sure. If it's in structural parts . . . maybe not.

GT350pwns · 04/06/2014, 04:04 PM

I would play it on the safe side and build/buy a new stand. Too big of a risk under the weight of an aquarium.

johnhenry1 · 04/06/2014, 06:53 PM

could i get someone to spot treat the stand for termites, and then reinforce it? Also, this tank was custom built so on the seams there is no silicone at all, (inside of the tank).

johnhenry1 · 04/06/2014, 06:54 PM

The termite damage seems to be limited to decorative but i don't know for sure.

Razor635 · 04/06/2014, 08:01 PM

I wouldn't. trust it. My 75g is going to weigh about half a ton when I'm done. I would not trust a stand with any termite damage with that much weight on it.

twilmot · 04/07/2014, 03:27 AM

I would not chance it. But for kicks and giggles do you have a picture? If it is just on the decorative pieces I myself would maybe think about it. But I would always wonder if they got to the support part of the stand and it wasn't noticed. Also, what size tank?

johnhenry1 · 04/07/2014, 02:19 PM

Yea it appears to be decorative. The termite guys are coming to kill the termites. I'm in no rush to set this tank up. In case there is structural damage that I'm not seeing, I plan on stripping the frame of the stand and building a new one. Also, the tank was custom made and doesn't have any silicone in the corners (on the inside of tank). I saw it with water and it didn't leak so is it possible that it just was designed not to have it? I know who built the tank and he is one of the best in the area. This tank is a 300 gallon starphire so I definitely want to make sure the stand can support it haha. Finally, if I post pictures, will one of you be able to help me with the silicone issue?

davocean · 04/07/2014, 02:45 PM

I've done years of termite repair and I can tell you it takes a pretty long time for termite damage to be a real concern, especially if just drywoods.
Most likely no big deal.
If they are tenting you can just leave stand in house, but they can also drill and inject tunnels, and there are mild chem or no chem solutions available, even microwaves and freezing, orange solution....
They travel it through tunnels, so once they hit one tunnel it wipes the colony/new infestation.
You can post pics or PM me if you wish to be certain.
As far as tank resealing it needs to be taken apart, cleaned, and rebuilt all over, that is not so easy to do.
Adding silicone on top of silicone does little or nothing.

johnhenry1 · 04/07/2014, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davocean

I've done years of termite repair and I can tell you it takes a pretty long time for termite damage to be a real concern, especially if just drywoods.
Most likely no big deal.
If they are tenting you can just leave stand in house, but they can also drill and inject tunnels, and there are mild chem or no chem solutions available, even microwaves and freezing, orange solution....
They travel it through tunnels, so once they hit one tunnel it wipes the colony/new infestation.
You can post pics or PM me if you wish to be certain.
As far as tank resealing it needs to be taken apart, cleaned, and rebuilt all over, that is not so easy to do.
Adding silicone on top of silicone does little or nothing.

Theres definitely structual silicone, but I was talking about the silicone that prevents water from seeping into the silicone that actually holds it together. Is this necessary to have?

johnhenry1 · 04/07/2014, 03:04 PM

heres the tank

it appears to be a very well built tank, its just strange that there is no silicone on the inside of the tank.

davocean · 04/08/2014, 09:43 AM

Well, if built properly it should have a clean seam, and no need to build up on top of it, and even if you did it really would not do much.
Leak test outside is all I can suggest, and make sure it is supported well when you do.

username in use · 04/08/2014, 12:59 PM

What he ^^ said

johnhenry1 · 05/24/2014, 06:47 PM

well i leak-tested it and it didnt leak. i know this would look bad but could i glue glass runners along the seams for extra support? could this prevent a possible leak in the future?

cakemanPA · 05/24/2014, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnhenry1

well i leak-tested it and it didnt leak. i know this would look bad but could i glue glass runners along the seams for extra support? could this prevent a possible leak in the future?

and you would do this why?

johnhenry1 · 05/25/2014, 01:24 PM

because the tank is 7+ years old and sat on an un-level floor from the previous owner.
i was thinking that this could weaken the seams.

SeedlessOne · 05/25/2014, 04:07 PM

Coming from one of the worst states regarding termite damage and being ceritified in removal.

I would not use the stand if any termite damage is found. Just my 2 cents.

04/06/2014, 02:26 PM	#1
johnhenry1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 58	Termites and Resealing So I just bought a used tank, it was a really good deal. Unfortunately, the stand has/had termites in it. Can the stand be spot treated for termites or maybe tented? Its a really nice stand and it would be a shame to get rid of it. Also, the tank is very well built, however, it is almost 10 years old, so should i reseal it? thanks.

04/06/2014, 03:42 PM	#2
eastfernstreet Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 150	Remember, a gallon of water weighs nearly 8.5 lbs.. So, a 90 gallon tank, including the weight of the glass, covers, lights, etc. is going to come it at about 1,000 pounds. If the termite damage is minor or limited to decorative pieces, sure. If it's in structural parts . . . maybe not. __________________ Learning Patience In hobby since 09/12. Current Tank Info: 90 gal., 2 2x54w T5 w/ATI's, 100+ lbs. LR, 125 Coralife SuperSkimmer, 2x Maxspect Gyre XF250, 2 O. Clowns, 1 Longnosed Hawk, 1 Tomini Tang, 1 Flame Angel, 1 Green Mandarin, Rics, Fox, Montis, GSP, Zoas, Gorg, Birdsnest, Shrooms, Shrimp, Crabs, etc.

04/07/2014, 03:27 AM	#7
twilmot Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 159	I would not chance it. But for kicks and giggles do you have a picture? If it is just on the decorative pieces I myself would maybe think about it. But I would always wonder if they got to the support part of the stand and it wasn't noticed. Also, what size tank? __________________ “Yeah I called her up, she gave me a bunch of crap about me not listening to her, or something, I don’t know, I wasn’t really paying attention.”-Harry Dunne Current Tank Info: 125 gallon

04/07/2014, 02:45 PM	#9
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I've done years of termite repair and I can tell you it takes a pretty long time for termite damage to be a real concern, especially if just drywoods. Most likely no big deal. If they are tenting you can just leave stand in house, but they can also drill and inject tunnels, and there are mild chem or no chem solutions available, even microwaves and freezing, orange solution.... They travel it through tunnels, so once they hit one tunnel it wipes the colony/new infestation. You can post pics or PM me if you wish to be certain. As far as tank resealing it needs to be taken apart, cleaned, and rebuilt all over, that is not so easy to do. Adding silicone on top of silicone does little or nothing. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

04/08/2014, 09:43 AM	#12
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Well, if built properly it should have a clean seam, and no need to build up on top of it, and even if you did it really would not do much. Leak test outside is all I can suggest, and make sure it is supported well when you do. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

04/06/2014, 04:04 PM	#3
GT350pwns Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 600	I would play it on the safe side and build/buy a new stand. Too big of a risk under the weight of an aquarium.

04/06/2014, 06:53 PM	#4
johnhenry1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 58	could i get someone to spot treat the stand for termites, and then reinforce it? Also, this tank was custom built so on the seams there is no silicone at all, (inside of the tank).

04/06/2014, 06:54 PM	#5
johnhenry1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 58	The termite damage seems to be limited to decorative but i don't know for sure.

04/06/2014, 08:01 PM	#6
Razor635 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 18	I wouldn't. trust it. My 75g is going to weigh about half a ton when I'm done. I would not trust a stand with any termite damage with that much weight on it.

04/07/2014, 02:19 PM	#8
johnhenry1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 58	Yea it appears to be decorative. The termite guys are coming to kill the termites. I'm in no rush to set this tank up. In case there is structural damage that I'm not seeing, I plan on stripping the frame of the stand and building a new one. Also, the tank was custom made and doesn't have any silicone in the corners (on the inside of tank). I saw it with water and it didn't leak so is it possible that it just was designed not to have it? I know who built the tank and he is one of the best in the area. This tank is a 300 gallon starphire so I definitely want to make sure the stand can support it haha. Finally, if I post pictures, will one of you be able to help me with the silicone issue?

04/07/2014, 03:04 PM	#11
johnhenry1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 58	heres the tank it appears to be a very well built tank, its just strange that there is no silicone on the inside of the tank.

04/08/2014, 12:59 PM	#13
username in use Sciencing Daily Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6,560	What he ^^ said __________________ Joshua "With fronds like these, who needs anemones?" - Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: multiple nano's sprinkled around the house

05/24/2014, 06:47 PM	#14
johnhenry1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 58	well i leak-tested it and it didnt leak. i know this would look bad but could i glue glass runners along the seams for extra support? could this prevent a possible leak in the future?

05/25/2014, 01:24 PM	#16
johnhenry1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 58	because the tank is 7+ years old and sat on an un-level floor from the previous owner. i was thinking that this could weaken the seams.

05/25/2014, 04:07 PM	#17
SeedlessOne Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Pooler, GA Posts: 887	Coming from one of the worst states regarding termite damage and being ceritified in removal. I would not use the stand if any termite damage is found. Just my 2 cents.