Hardwood Floor Treatment & aquarium safety

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Joined
Jun 5, 2008
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146
Location
Redmond, WA
Our wood floors need to be refinished and the tank is on a carpeted area next to the hardwood area. The plan is to have them buff and apply a coat of water based finish to the current flooring, so no sanding this time. We currently have a Swedish finish on our floor, and the technician suggested switching to a water based finish because the Swedish finish may be toxic to the fish.

Are there any concerns or precautions I need to take regarding my tank?
 
I'll send Frankie a link to this thread. He actually works with wood. :confused:. That didn't sound too good. :lol:. He refinishes wood etc...You get the picture LOL! He'd be a good person to chime in here. :)
 
LOL Krish :D
Most Bona water borne finishes can go over oil, xylene and alcohol based finishes, but once you go that route your stuck with it. Unless you completely resurface the flooring.
I do not like the idea of applying a different product over another. I'm not a big fan of water borne finishes but they are as green as your going to get. Be ready for a price jump also. Water borne finishes can get very pricey.
If you want to stick to the original finish, just shut the skimmer down and crate a draw of fresh air across the room by opening a window on one side and having a fan pull on the other. Or however you can do it.
Even the water bore finishes (latex) can pollute the air. So I recommend shutting down the skimmer either way.
If your flooring tech is competent though I would trust his opinion since he has been onsite.
Basically it is oxygen exchange your wanting to limit during this time. You could get an air pump with a long line ran outside and set that up to the skimmer so your pulling fresh air in from the out side.
When I exterminate the home I seal off the entire aquarium in plastic and pump fresh air in this way. I shut the skimmer off, turn off the power heads or closed loop, (whatever is causing circulation and oxygen exchange) and pump in fresh air from the outside using a diffuser stone in the display. Always worked for me.
As for water borne finishes, Traffic by Bona is one of the best I have used. I am currently trying a new product from Germany called WS EasyFinish by LOBA that is very nice! I used it on my new stand build also with great results.
 
Your welcome. Anyone doing hardwood flooring please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I have been in the trade since I was a boy and in business since 92.
I edited the title a bit to relate the title to the topic better.
 
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What are your thoughts about removing as many loose corals and small rocks from the tank and putting them in a big rubbermaid tub with a power head and heater for a couple days in the garage while the floors are being treated? Or am I better off leaving them in the tank if I can get a fan system to blow air directly into the stand from outside?
 
I would not disturb the reef any. Specially if you can cause the draft as we were talking about. If your going to go the water borne finish way I would not worry to much about it.
 
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