55 Gallon Tank Bug Bombings

Hey Guys,

I have a question that I had hoped to never have to ask...we have a bug infestation right now, everything from spiders to ants to bed bugs (Yeah I threw up a bit in my mouth on that one too) We live in the country and bugs are normal, but these types and the quantity is getting bad. We are considering bombing the house when we leave for vacation, as all the pets will be out of the house at that time. I have a fish tank set up and I will be wanting to cycle it once we get back from vacation. If we get the house bug bombed am I OK to just threw some extra activated carbon into the filter to pull out those chemicals or (since it just has water in it) should I do a 100% water change.

Notes:
No fish are currently in my tank
Tank is not cycled
I will be planting the tank during cycling
Fish will be the final addition to my tank after cycling.

Thoughts? Experiences?

Cheers!
~Inari

 

I have no idea but I wouldn't risk it with water and plants set up in the tank.

A water change and carbon might be enough but I'd be worried personally.

If you held off with the tank, drained it now and put it somwhere where the chemicals can't get too then you could fill it and start when you get back?

 

Honestly I would empty it and remove it from the house during the bombing. The chemicals in the bomb will be airborn and will settle in the water. These chemicals will be toxic to fish. If you try to do a water change all the chemicals sitting on top of the water will just settle onto the substrate and decorations making it harder to get rid of. You could try covering it with plastic and taping it around the top to keep out any bugs and chemicals, but that isn't a guarantee.

 

There is similar threads with the same question and covering with plastic and sealing the tank was suggested. Turn off air pumps so they don't pump chemicals from the air into the water.

 

I like the idea of covering it with plastic! I can get some painter's floor plastic at Lowe's for next to nothing! I'm going to unplug everything as well to be sure nothing gets pushed into the tank (it would suck so bad to get a tank cycled only to have it wipe suddenly) Thanks, guys.