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House painting, temp tank?

Reduck

Reduck

Hey guys, I think I know the answer to this question but looking for ideas. Pretty sure the mrs will be hiring a painter to do the house soon. Tank is in living room. 40g. Don't think a good idea to try to move it... Fish, inverts, corals. Thinking to drain and move the livestock and water into a brute can for 3-4 days till they finish. As long as I can maintain minimal circ with a couple powerheads and temperature, will that be ok? No lights, or maybe I can rig something up.
Suggestions?
Thanks!
 
saltkreep88

saltkreep88

I have always been fine painting around the tank. I would just run carbon, open windows, and make sure nothing gets in the tank.
 
Reduck

Reduck

That isn't the issue. Need to paint the wall behind the tank. And trim too. So the tank and stand will have to move...
 
TanksNStuff

TanksNStuff

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
A lot of your plan should revolve around what kind of paint you or the contractor will be using. Some paints have high VOC's (volatile organic compounds) that will release fumes as they cure. These fumes can potentially reach your tank and if those fumes get into the water they can wipe out your fish and coral.

Since you will be painting behind the tank, I highly recommend transplanting the livestock temporarily. If possible, keep your brute in another room that isn't getting painted, or maybe the garage or something. If it's not possible to move it to a room that isn't getting painted, at least try to get it into a corner and hang some 3 mil plastic from ceiling to floor to try to wall off the fumes. It would also help to place a fan at the front and leave a little opening to blow out into the room being painted to keep the fumes away, and to draw out any that may creep in through the plastic.

Definitely keep the house windows open for a couple days and use fans at the windows to suck out all the fumes too.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.
 
Reduck

Reduck

We have parrots as well so no voc is allowed. Or it must be extremely low. Even though they have their own room, it's not sealed and they are very sensitive to fumes..

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll go the brute can method and keep it in with the birds until it's dry and aired out...
Let y'all know how it works out!
 
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