**SAWDUST ISSUE** need some good advice

Mikes Fish

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I have ongoing renovations in my house and the carpenters were cutting normal untreated wood and I noticed some airborne dust and my tank was uncovered for a small amount of time (<30mins).

Basically I don’t know whether or not the tank is going to be affected by this at all or if I am going crazy for nothing.

Has anybody on here ever dealt with a similar issue to this and can give me advice?

20260115_200953_B8A91990-858B-4E68-85CE-A0F60747D87C.png
^ My parameters ^

20260115_201106_F2906B03-0994-44FD-896F-C7B4731F3AE2.png
^ My tank ^

Thank you!
 
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Mikes Fish

Mikes Fish

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Haha, I actually thought the first one didn’t go thru but I guess it did, thank you
 

Fish Fan

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As someone who likes woodworking, I think you're going to be fine 🙂

Saw dust has gotten into my tanks before, and currently my RODI system is in my workshop. Typical woods shouldn't be any problem. Pressure treated wood, Cedar, and some exotic hardwoods may cause some issues, but if your guys were cutting construction grade 2x4's, I'm really sure your tank will be fine.

Good luck!
 
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Mikes Fish

Mikes Fish

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As someone who like woodworking, I think you're going to be fine 🙂

Saw dust has gotten into my tanks before, and currently my RODI system is in my workshop. Typical woods shouldn't be any problem. Pressure treated wood, Cedar, and some exotic hardwoods may cause some issues, but I your guys were cutting 2x4's, I'm really sure your tank will be fine.

Good luck!
They were cutting the bottom of the shower fixture here’s a pic, thanks bro
20260115_204835_B3D65BEA-42FB-4E36-B85F-229D95D87BD4.png
 

Staghorn

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Speaking for someone who is always covered in sawdust I don’t think I’ve had an issue even though I’m pretty careful. I know some sawdust is getting in the tank. Especially if it was untreated wood and didn’t have any chemicals on it you should be fine. I would still suggest strong, mechanical filtration, and trying to minimize any dust getting into the tank. Sheet rock dust, especially. I know several people that have run into an issue during renovations with the dust from sanding sheet rock.
 
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Mikes Fish

Mikes Fish

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Speaking for someone who is always covered in sawdust I don’t think I’ve had an issue even though I’m pretty careful. I know some sawdust is getting in the tank. Especially if it was untreated wood and didn’t have any chemicals on it you should be fine. I would still suggest strong, mechanical filtration, and trying to minimize any dust getting into the tank. Sheet rock dust, especially. I know several people that have run into an issue during renovations with the dust from sanding sheet rock.
Hey thank you man, this is what was being cut, you know more about it than me, is this type of plywood bad? Anything harmful? Thank you bro
20260115_210333_22E799A6-2082-4E82-86A4-78E5BE212771.png
 

Staghorn

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Hey thank you man, this is what was being cut, you know more about it than me, is this type of plywood bad? Anything harmful? Thank you bro
20260115_210333_22E799A6-2082-4E82-86A4-78E5BE212771.png
Honestly if it’s pressure treated plywood there are chemicals in the wood, and the glue has some chemicals as well. The age of the plywood and the amount that actually made it into your tank will probably determine how much of a risk it is but if your not seeing any adverse effects you probably are good. I would suggest good mechanical filtration regardless to try and get as much as you can out of there, and try to mask off the area to minimize any dust getting in there, while still making sure you have air circulation around the tank.
 
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Mikes Fish

Mikes Fish

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Hey thank you man, this is what was being cut, you know more about it than me, is this type of plywood bad? Anything harmful? Thank you bro
20260115_210333_22E799A6-2082-4E82-86A4-78E5BE212771.png
Honestly if it’s pressure treated plywood there are chemicals in the wood, and the glue has some chemicals as well. The age of the plywood and the amount that actually made it into your tank will probably determine how much of a risk it is but if your not seeing any adverse effects you probably are good. I would suggest good mechanical filtration regardless to try and get as much as you can out of there, and try to mask off the area to minimize any dust getting in there, while still making sure you have air circulation around the tank.
It isn’t pressure treated and it’s 20+ years old, I asked and I guess the door was shut when they were cutting the bottom, the dust must’ve been normal 2x4, my tank has been fine constantly 5 days later I probably owe it to the reef mat and the fact it was normal lumber.

Of everyone thank you very much for your help
 

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