External Aeration and Mosquito Control Chemicals

[GeoffM1968]

Living in Florida, I use an external air pump to aerate (http://justmyreef.com/2009/07/12/fighting-low-ph/)my reef tank. What impact will the chemical spray the Mosquito Control use have on my tank?

Thanks in advance - Geoff

[tecapparatus]

I am curious about the mosquito control. Can you explain?

[GeoffM1968]

Once every few weeks or more when lots of standing water (situation now as just had 15 inches of rain from TS Debby), our county sprays some type of pesticide to control mosquitos. They drive a pickup around town spraying the chemicals out the back.

My house is newer so it is air tight but does not have an air exchanger on the A/C unit and it is not a viable option to upgrade anything on the house. A common issue from this is the build up of CO2 inside the house which has a negative impact on the tank pH. Aerating with outside air, helps offset the impact of higher CO2 inside and raises pH.

[bertoni]

I don't know what chemicals they might be spraying. If you can determine what they might be, someone might be able to help you. I likely can't.

[jdpiii3]

I also live in New Port Richey it doesn't say anything on the Pasco County Mosquito Control District website http://www.pascomosquito.org/oldsite/index.htm

I'm going to email them to find out as well.

[GeoffM1968]

I don't know what chemicals they might be spraying. If you can determine what they might be, someone might be able to help you. I likely can't.

This may help but not specific what is being applied:

http://mosquito.ifas.ufl.edu/Larviciding.htm

[GeoffM1968]

This may help but not specific what is being applied:

http://mosquito.ifas.ufl.edu/Larviciding.htm


According to the usage report for Pasco County FL, the following were used in '09-10: Naled / Dibrom --> Organophosphate

[HighlandReefer]

One thing you can do as a pre-caution is to keep the house tight on the days they spray.

I don't understand how your AC works without some kind of mechanism to drive air throughout the house like used with an air-handler. If you have window AC units, then turn them off on the days they spray. There should be some kind of notification as to when they spray.

The further the trucks that spray are from your house, the safer.

Some of the chemical products refered to a somewhat specific to mosquito larvae, but may effect other invertebrates. Other pesticides may not be so selective and could possible be more dangerous to fish and other organisms if the trucks are spraying close enough to your house. Usually these trucks try to get as close to the water as possible.

[GeoffM1968]

There should be some kind of notification as to when they spray.


Thank you as confirms what may be a potential issue. Just wonder how much of an issue it could be or just worrying over nothing.

No notification which is the issue. I have an Alita AL-6A Pressure Air Pump outside the house just under the eaves about 50 yards from the road. It is plumbed through the house wall with airline tubing to an air stone in sump chamber. Central A/C is on all time 10 months out of the year here in FL and really never open windows which should be zero issues how tight new houses are sealed.

They do random fly overs for the lake in back which I am not concerned as further away.

Easy solution, turn the air pump off when they are in the area which is issue was we never know when they are going to spray. Thoughts are I need to put the air pump inside a box with a carbon filter at one end. Think they make such a beast already for the Koi industry if I don't want to make it myself.

Real question, with this set up, what type of risk running? None, Nominal, Moderate, Severe?

[tmz]

Sory, I can't asses the risk. As an alternative to the outside airline , have you considered a CO2 scrubber on the skimmer air intake?

[HighlandReefer]

A proper carbon filter around the air pump should help considerably. Using a carbon filter on the AC system if possible should help as well.

[HighlandReefer]

There may be a pesticide sensitivity list you can get put on for notification through the state. If so get on that list and they are required to notify you.

[bertoni]

I'd consider adding a carbon filter for the air, as suggested.

[luisagos]

I also live In Florida, I am about 5 min north of Port Richey Area.

Mosquito truck just went by last night, spraying. They always do it late evening when they spray from the truck.

I made a CO2 scrubber so I didn't have to worry about it.

This a thread I made last year talking about CO2 Scrubber. (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2097651)