Drywall and reefing??

mg426 · 07/09/2009, 03:40 PM

I am going to be doing some major remodeling in my home. My aquarium is very near where the demo is to take place. This will involve removing existing drywall. I am quite sure that a good deal of drywall dust will be created. I planned on covering the tank during this project. I dont like the idea of leaving the tank covered for long periods of time. I intend to provide ventilation and be a carefull as I can, However I am sure that there will most likely be some lingering drywall dust in the air. Any one ever done this near their Tanks? Just how bad is Drywall (gypsum) on our aquariums??

mg426 · 07/09/2009, 05:21 PM

Anyone ??

Shane Hoffman · 07/09/2009, 05:36 PM

If I were you ....if its a long drawn out project I would frame a temp box around it and cover it in plastic, duct taping all of the seems, Then run an in and out fan for fresh air in and fresh air out.....the air In fan needs to have a tube hooked to it running to a source of air that is not contaminated....wether its a seperate room or even outside....

billdogg · 07/09/2009, 05:38 PM

I finished my entire basement (2200sqft, 140 sheets of drywall) with my open topped 120 sitting there the entire time. Other than the lights getting very dusty, I had no problems at all.

jimsplace · 07/10/2009, 04:03 AM

If I remember correctly, gypsum is a form of calcium anyway. I have done drywall work near my tank and just took the basic precautions of covering the tank etc. I filter all my air going to skimmer any way to knock out dust particals. I am always more concerned with paint fumes (ammoinia smell sometimes) but have never had a problem, just parinoia I guess.

GTriever · 07/10/2009, 04:59 AM

Cover it with a sheet while you're working, uncover it in the afternoon when you quit. Also, are you going to be running an air cleaner during this? Worth every penny for reducing airborne particles!

WaterssretaW · 07/10/2009, 06:15 AM

I had the same question when I was hanging my pendents. Apparently, the drywall itself is okay in small amounts; however, its the other contanaments within the walls you have to worry about.

I would say just cover the tank the best you can.

inovrmyhd · 07/10/2009, 07:29 AM

I just redid my living room. fixed plaster, drywalled 2 walls, new flooring and textured ceiling. I took my tank down and moved it to a different room. It only took about 4 hrs to move and was worth my peace of mind.

07/09/2009, 03:40 PM	#1
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	Drywall and reefing?? I am going to be doing some major remodeling in my home. My aquarium is very near where the demo is to take place. This will involve removing existing drywall. I am quite sure that a good deal of drywall dust will be created. I planned on covering the tank during this project. I dont like the idea of leaving the tank covered for long periods of time. I intend to provide ventilation and be a carefull as I can, However I am sure that there will most likely be some lingering drywall dust in the air. Any one ever done this near their Tanks? Just how bad is Drywall (gypsum) on our aquariums?? __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

07/09/2009, 05:21 PM	#2
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	Anyone ?? __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

07/09/2009, 05:36 PM	#3
Shane Hoffman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 45 mins from Chicago Posts: 2,009	If I were you ....if its a long drawn out project I would frame a temp box around it and cover it in plastic, duct taping all of the seems, Then run an in and out fan for fresh air in and fresh air out.....the air In fan needs to have a tube hooked to it running to a source of air that is not contaminated....wether its a seperate room or even outside.... __________________ A wise man once said "Never play leap frog with a unicorn" Current Tank Info: 150 gallon glass with 20 gallon sump, 175lbs of coraline covered live rock, EuroReef skimmer rated for 250gal, 25watt Aqua UV sterilizer, Fluval FX5, Hamilton 3x250watt MH, 160 watt Blue actinic....Mixed reef

07/09/2009, 05:38 PM	#4
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I finished my entire basement (2200sqft, 140 sheets of drywall) with my open topped 120 sitting there the entire time. Other than the lights getting very dusty, I had no problems at all. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

07/10/2009, 04:03 AM	#5
jimsplace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 633	If I remember correctly, gypsum is a form of calcium anyway. I have done drywall work near my tank and just took the basic precautions of covering the tank etc. I filter all my air going to skimmer any way to knock out dust particals. I am always more concerned with paint fumes (ammoinia smell sometimes) but have never had a problem, just parinoia I guess. __________________ Jim Current Tank Information; - 90 Gallon DT / 30 Gallon Sump - SPS Dominate - IC VHO Lighting

07/10/2009, 04:59 AM	#6
GTriever Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Paducah, KY Posts: 193	Cover it with a sheet while you're working, uncover it in the afternoon when you quit. Also, are you going to be running an air cleaner during this? Worth every penny for reducing airborne particles!

07/10/2009, 06:15 AM	#7
WaterssretaW Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 474	I had the same question when I was hanging my pendents. Apparently, the drywall itself is okay in small amounts; however, its the other contanaments within the walls you have to worry about. I would say just cover the tank the best you can. __________________ Oceanic Tech 120 + 30gal Sump, Aqua C EV 180, BRS Duel Carbon+GFO Reactor, Ecotech Vortech MP40w, 2X250 Icecap Pendents w/Icecap Balast; 14K bulbs Current Tank Info: Coral only with Live Rock

07/10/2009, 07:29 AM	#8
inovrmyhd Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Scranton, PA Posts: 103	I just redid my living room. fixed plaster, drywalled 2 walls, new flooring and textured ceiling. I took my tank down and moved it to a different room. It only took about 4 hrs to move and was worth my peace of mind. __________________ -- Tim -- Current Tank Info: 29gal, LS, LR, Yellowtail Damsel, Lawnmower Blenny (RIP), false percula, shrooms, candy cane, anemone, eagle eye and radioactive dragons eye zoas