Mold treatments

For topics relating to crab care that do not fit into the other categories.
Locked
User avatar

Topic author
lulaagrl
Posts: 30
Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2014 2:40 pm
Location: Richmond, VA

Mold treatments

Post by lulaagrl » Wed Feb 11, 2015 10:25 am

Hey everyone,
We moved a few months ago and just discovered that our new place has mold in the ductwork! We've scheduled a cleanout for next week, which will involve a chemical called BBJ Mold Control. Our two crabs are currently molting in a 50 gallon tank, so there's no way we can temporarily move them out. The chemical's active ingredients are dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether; 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol; and citric acid. After the standard cleaning, the chemical will basically be sprayed through the system, and then the system will be turned back on afterward to make sure everything is still working, possibly spewing the chemical into the air in the process.

Anyone have experience with this procedure and know if it's harmful to crabs? The company has told us it's safe for all animals, but I feel like this means mammals like dogs and cats. Our tank is, unfortunately, positioned on a table right above a floor vent. If it is harmful, are there precautions I can take? I suppose I can use a sheet of plastic and wrap around and over the lid really tightly to seal them off from the outside air, but then I worry that temperature levels will go haywire and I could either accidentally cook them because of no air flow, or I'd have to turn off all the heaters and they would get too cold.

Thanks so much for any guidance. We just lost 2 crabbies a couple months ago during the move because they were molting when we transported them, so I am really hoping to avoid any more devastation...
--Laura
Hermit crab troop: Splenda, Stevia, Truvia, Molasses, and Agave

User avatar

YYWW
Posts: 2123
Joined: Sat Jun 28, 2014 6:25 am

Re: Mold treatments

Post by YYWW » Wed Feb 11, 2015 3:12 pm

I have no idea about the chemical, sorry. BUT to be safe you can probably seal the tank with plastic wrap, and turn off any bubblers. That won't eliminate but minimize the amount of exposure to the crabs.


Crabbers unite!!!

User avatar

wodesorel
Tech Support
Tech Support
Posts: 10594
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2009 8:49 am
Location: Leetonia, Ohio
Contact:

Re: Mold treatments

Post by wodesorel » Thu Feb 12, 2015 2:56 am

I'd wrap it temporarily in plastic as well. That's what I did when we painted inside in winter, without a loss. Anything to keep the chemical out of the tank until it stops being blown around the area.
Want to see all my crazy pets? @waywardwaifs on Instagram

User avatar

Topic author
lulaagrl
Posts: 30
Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2014 2:40 pm
Location: Richmond, VA

Re: Mold treatments

Post by lulaagrl » Fri Feb 13, 2015 11:06 am

Thanks guys - we have decided to do this with our crabbies and fish tanks to be safe. I just hope the temps aren't too weird. It's supposed to be in the 20s here that day (Fahrenheit) so pretty cold! I'm going to try to keep them as stable as possible!!
--Laura
Hermit crab troop: Splenda, Stevia, Truvia, Molasses, and Agave

Locked