Anyone fumigated for Termites with a Marine tank?

**KahanaReef** · 03-10-2010, 12:46 PM

I just found out we have dry wood termites and need to fumigate

Thing is, I have two saltwater tanks. Fish only with live rock and I know I could save the fish. But, there is a lot living in those rocks and substrate.

Anyone who has marine tanks knows what I'm talking about. Freshwater is much different.

Anyway, I've heard you can tape and cover up the tanks making sure that no air flow gets to the tank via the filter, air line etc... Has anyone done this or know someone who has and what the outcome was?

This sucks

**0rion** · 03-10-2010, 01:46 PM

Never had a marine tank but plenty of freshwater tanks. Even so I don't see why you couldn't totally seal that tank off and be good to go. How long will the particles be in the air and can you shut the filters down for that amount of time?

**KahanaReef** · 03-10-2010, 02:05 PM

It would be at least two days.

I went through this with my fresh water tanks about 15 years ago or so in a condo we were renting. The guy told me to tape it up really good. But said I could leave the filters on as long as they were covered.

I taped them all up really, really good. I later found out that any hang on filters should have been removed. I just covered them up and even though I taped the cords all the way down to the floor, some air got in. So, lost them all anyway.

But, the substrate and decor rocks were all just regular rocks. Nothing to kill there.

The saltwater tanks, everything is alive. So, I could make up a spare tank and transfer all my fish and some inverts there and hook it up outside. But, I'm concerned with everything else living in there in the rocks. Lots of critters in there and they help to make up the balance in the tank.

I've heard some people have had success covering and taping up the tank. I just don't want to have to relocate everything in the tanks if I don't have to. It will be a total PITA. I've got about 200 lbs of live rock and all that crushed coral.

Oh bother...

**Hi-Po** · 03-10-2010, 02:15 PM

Damn, that totally sucks! Those salt water system's in general are expensive. Freshwater here, but with no advice for you

**KahanaReef** · 03-10-2010, 02:51 PM

I think I'm just going to have to move the tanks outside. One is a 55 show and the other is a 90 show.

My systems are rather simple. I took out the protein skimmers, UV sterilizers and am running just power filters and pumps. I don't even have a sump on either one of them. All that live rock is really what keeps the system biologically filtered. They've both been up and running for just over 6 years now. Basically fresh to salt conversion with minimal headache. It seems to be working just fine too even though I was told by many it wouldn't.

Yeah. I'm stressing on it now. I do not want to disrupt any life forms in there. Let alone have to pay for fumigation.

And then, there's all the other animals too

**DrMilhouse** · 03-10-2010, 09:05 PM

ask this at http://reefcentral.com

They will have a good solution.

**KahanaReef** · 03-10-2010, 09:56 PM

Originally Posted by DrMilhouse

ask this at http://reefcentral.com

They will have a good solution.

Thanks. I've been a member over there since 2005.

I'm going to be safe and just move the tanks. Get everything out of the house.

It's not going to happen until at least this summer. So, guess I have time to plan it all out.

What a pain.