Termite Tenting

[Ernie C]

I’ve been reading some blogs and many people say tear down the tank however I once went through tenting many years ago with no significant losses by sealing with plastic with air stones connected to a pump outside the tent. But back then my setup was simple with lps and softies with a wet dry etc and I don’t really Remember the details. My set up now is a little more sophisticated. Can anyone share their experience/specifics if they’ve gone through termite tenting successfully without removing their tanks? Any info appreciated.

 

[norfolkgarden]

No info, sorry. Just remembering living on the Big Island.

I'm impressed and surprised you got away with it the 1st time. [emoji846]

Best of luck.

 

[flchamp89]

When I set up a fume I reccomend removing the tank. A reputable company would make a customer aware of that. Covering may work for the tank itself but methyl bromide can also get into pumps and external equipment. Fish, reptiles, amphibians and aviary are highly sensitive to any pesticide. Not to mention it can be a three day event sometimes four.

Remove the tank.

 

[alton]

When I had termites the pesticide guy fed them bait for two weeks, when they disappeared he placed some poison that stays active forever in the place the termites came it at and sealed it up. If they are fumigating they will only kill the termites in your home and not get the queen? The way it was explained to me termites are like fire ants, kill the queen and the rest die. Anyway no termites for me for 5 years.

 

[Ernie C]

I found this article about the specific gas being used. https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/5/aafeature3

 

[flchamp89]

When I had termites the pesticide guy fed them bait for two weeks, when they disappeared he placed some poison that stays active forever in the place the termites came it at and sealed it up. If they are fumigating they will only kill the termites in your home and not get the queen? The way it was explained to me termites are like fire ants, kill the queen and the rest die. Anyway no termites for me for 5 years.

That's eastern subs OP is referring to drywoods.

 

[flchamp89]

I found this article about the specific gas being used. https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/5/aafeature3

Methyl bromide is still used as well

 

[Ernie C]

The companies I’ve contacted use Vikane (sulfuryl fluoride)

 

[flchamp89]

The companies I’ve contacted use Vikane (sulfuryl fluoride)

It's simple if you can get the tank removed I would. I'm basing that on 23 yrs of doing fumigation work.

If you can't then cover everything. It may be OK. It's just a risk you take.

 

[EW_Fish]

Just remember to turn off the skimmer

 

[alton]

That is some bad termites! I also noticed they are in my region, I will definitely pay more attention from now on. Sorry you are having to go through this.

 

[Dana Riddle]

Yes, I wrote the Advanced Aquarist article describing my experience with termite fumigation. If the same insecticide and tear gas were used and I could tightly cover the tank with proper plastic and provide positive pressure inside the bag (from an outside air pump), I wouldn't move the tank. That article goes into the details.

 

[theMeat]

If you don’t remove tank and instead create a safe zone for the tank with plastic and outside air, then termites have a safe zone as well

 

[Ernie C]

So my tank seemed to have survived my termite tenting. I’ll have to see what happens over the next few days but no losses so far. Luckily I don’t think I have very sensitive corals cause the ph did drop significantly (8.0.- 7.4) over the 48 hour period but I’ll have to watch them. From what I’ve read, Inverts are highly susceptible to the vikane and tear gas that was used and so far no deaths Two days later. Finger crossed.

 

[Dana Riddle]

Please keep us posted. Those are bags Vikane can't penetrate, right?

 

[Saveafish]

So my tank seemed to have survived my termite tenting. I’ll have to see what happens over the next few days but no losses so far. Luckily I don’t think I have very sensitive corals cause the ph did drop significantly (8.0.- 7.4) over the 48 hour period but I’ll have to watch them. From what I’ve read, Inverts are highly susceptible to the vikane and tear gas that was used and so far no deaths Two days later. Finger crossed.

I'd wrap the tank and stand tape the plastic to the ground.

 

[sfin52]

they use vikane gas. Thats a nasty stuff if you miss a seal all tank is gone. I would talk to the company doing a treatment and ask if they've got suggestions.

 

[Ernie C]

The company didn’t provide the bags and couldn’t find any nylofume large enough so I did some research on the gas and most info mentioned 4 mil thick plastic as a minimum so that’s what I used with. O residue duct tape. So far fish seem active and very hungry. Shrimp and snails seem active an ok too. I’ll post any changes on here. The tent was only on for 24 hours but

 

[sfin52]

I would add a ton of carbon as well. Since you can't get to the tank having be carbon and loads of it in tbe sump would be another recommendation.

 

[Ernie C]

I'd wrap the tank and stand tape the plastic to the ground.

I didn’t want to seal up the cabinet just in case any termites had ever made it to the cabinet so I wanted to expose the cabinet to the gas. I live in south Florida so every summer termites are swarming everywhere and last summer I saw some wings near the tank so didn’t want to take any chances.