Terminix tenting?

[Kyle954]

Hey everybody. I just found out 3 weeks from today my condo building has scheduled the building to be tented for termites (they've known for months and just decided to now tell us... )
As upset as I am, I am more concerned about my tank. I have read certain threads of people leaving them covered in painters plastic and coming back to a perfect tank. Have also read horror stories of people coming back to a ruined tank and having to start from scratch.
I am fairly new to the saltwater hobby and feel like I just need some advice as to properly prepare and execute the perfect move!
The tank is a 72g with 10 fish, 3 shrimp, sebae anenome(just got last night) and some crabs/snails and about 50lbs of rock.
I would really appreciate any kind of advice I can get as to anybody who has dealt with this situation before or anybody who has moved tanks and has a method as to how to do it properly.

Thanks!

[enforcer8621]

I am only throwing spit wads here as I have no experience, but I would tent the poop out of the tank, even run a hose to outside air if I could. Then several water changes and as much carbon as you could stuff in the sump. Best of luck.

[MrClam]

I would find out how long the building will be sealed and plan from there

[Kyle954]

Originally Posted by MrClam

I would find out how long the building will be sealed and plan from there

I believe they said 3 or 4 days

[whiteshark]

Honestly I'd seriously consider trying to find a temporary home for all livestock and even LR if possible. Whether it be a friends tank or an LFS, or even if a friend or family member would let you set up a temporary tank somewhere (Petco has their 1$ per gallon sale going and a 20 long or 40 breeder would make a nice temporary home), I'd try to find somewhere that would hold everything for those few days. I'd drain the tank and refill it with new saltwater after the treatment if possible as well.

I understand that may or likely won't be possible though, so maybe you could just seal the tank up as best you can with tarps. An airline to the outside would be a great idea as mentioned above (if it doesn't get too cold).

[shaggss]

Spit balling here too but this is what I would do:

1. Seal up the tank & sump with plastic wrap, the industrial stuff they wrap pallets in. I would wrap the whole tank and stand together.
2. Setup a co2 scrubber and connect it to your skimmer with the line running outside, obviously somewhere chemicals are not!
3. Add more carbon, but not excessive amount.
4. After, plan on doing 20% WC every 3-4 days for a week, more if you think it's needed and changing out the carbon each time if the corals seem stressed.
5. Reduce your lighting period during the whole process and slowly ramp it back up.

Again, never had to do it as I sold my tank, but that's what I had planned for our renovations. A lot will depend on what you see happening in your tank.

Good luck!

[Crooked Reef]

Have you figured out which company will be doing the tenting? Contact them and see if they have any advice, or at least find out all of the chemicals they will use. You can find the MSDS sheets for the chemicals online.

[Kyle954]

Terminix is the company down here in fort Lauderdale. I just found out their policy is if the fish are still in the condo they won't even do it.
I'm highly considering just moving the whole tank/setup at this point. It will be a pita but I feel it's a safer choice then taking any chances. And gives me a reason to buy more rock and re-landscape the tank after I bring it back lol

[Kyle954]

So I went to my LFS today and they told me to not take any chances and move it. They recommended I also change the sand bed in my aquarium at the same time since I will be breaking it down...

The tank was purchased from a family member who had the tank for 3-4 years, so the sand is about that old as well.

Any advice about this?