Bug Bomb

Watcher74

Watcher74

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Feb 5, 2004
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My wife is insistent on bug bombing the house because she has found two roaches in the last month. So she is planning a family outing for a day to bug bomb the house.

How can I protect my aquariums from the effects?

Two aquariums, 29 gallon and 10 gallon, different rooms.

I realize how I could seal them off from getting any contaminants, but how to do so without suffocating them from lack of oxygen exchange?

Anyone done this? Any advice for what I can do without completely removing them from the house or calling in a containment team with oxygen tents?
 
Hey dude,no problem.I lived down south for awhile and bombing is a way of life.We just covered the tanks with a regular bed sheet and turned off the air pumps.Never lost a fish.peace.
 
Do a test run with all equipment shut off and see how long before the fish show signs of low o2 levels. That will give you an idea of what you can do. In my tanks they literrally can go for over a day

Dave
 
if i had to do it, i'd cover the tanks and exposed filter parts with that 'press n seal' plastic wrap.

^that link is good, i just wish they had a dislaimer saying that if you do get a cat, don't use the poison bait! i'm sure some people would use every method listed and then wonder why the cat is sick.
 
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Tell your wife if she insists on bombing the house you'll take your fishes and go to your mother. Show her who is boss.... :p:
 
BTW watcher, good to see you again. don't know if you've been gone Or I've just missed seeing you post.

In addition to finding out how long the tank will go without air or circulation, other precautions to take would be buy some extra activated carbon for insurance. When we do anything toxic in the house, I generally replace carbon about every 5-6 hours for a day. this should catch anything that does get into the tank, and hopefully you won't have trouble.

I really like the press and seal plastic idea. You could probably still run your main filter for circulation while using it, and then you would have less worry about o2. you could also have AC in place while the bug bomb is working if you filter was still running. Just some thoughts, I don't have experience with bug bombs, just paint fumes mostly.

Dave
 
Hey Dave. Yeah, I've been around from time to time. Just been busy raising a family, working, and going to school full time. So life is hectic.

One question I have about the tank being able to go for a day without aeration.

I believe you if you say the fish can go that long, but what I am wondering is, can the beneficial bacteria in the filter go that long without any delivery of food or oxygen?

I remember an old post of RTR's that during a power outage, at around 6 hours (I think I remember that correctly), he takes out the biomedia and places them in shallow pans of tank water to save the bacteria from lack of oxygen.

I would hate to have to deal with a recycle in a fully stocked tank. Also in a tank containing the first successful baby fish I have had the pleasure to succeed in raising(Acei, about three different egg lays, around 8 I believe at the moment).

Oldest one is Zig. He's the only from the first egg batch to survive. Almost an inch long. His smaller brother Zag, did not zag in time. Lost him a few months back. *sniff*

Thanks for everyone's advice!
 
I remember an old post of RTR's that during a power outage, at around 6 hours (I think I remember that correctly), he takes out the biomedia and places them in shallow pans of tank water to save the bacteria from lack of oxygen
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That if I remember correctly was in a closed cannister. HOB's are somewhat more exposed to air, If you are using a cannister just take it off the tank and hook it up on a 5 gallon bucket somewhere safe then put it back on the tank when the bomb is done.

Pretty much any other format except sump you can cover up when you cover the tank, and there will still either be water movement (from the fish) or air exchange (small amount of air trapped under your cover.

You can also bag your bio media and hang it inside the tank. I really don't think O2 is going to be too big of an issue.

How many hours does the bug bomb say to stay away from the house?
Dave
 
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