Blackout!

[rubiix]

Hi everyone. Probably just being a neurotic newbie, but my suburb and all the surrounding ones have no power. I've only had the tank for a few months so haven't thought to buy a battery powered filter. It's night time so obviously I can't buy a filter tonight. The power is expected to be out till the early hours of the morning but does anyone have advice as to what I could do to keep the tank warm and healthy until then? Thanks.

 

[rubiix]

I've read that I should put a towel around the tank to
keep the fish calm and maintain warmth so I've done that, but does anyone have any tips?

 

[Essjay]

Yes, keep the tank warm by wrapping something round it.

Is all the filter media under water? If not, take it out of the filter and let it float in the water. A standard internal will be fine, as will an external. It's just HOB filters I'm not sure about.
Don't feed the fish today or tommorow and feed lightly for a few days after that. Keep a check on your ammonia and nitrite levels over the next few days. Depending on how long the power is off for, you may have some bacteria die off and feeding less will result in less ammonia made by the fish.

Earlier in the year our power was off for 8 hours because of maintenance on our substation. I did what I've written and never saw a blip of ammonia or nitrite in any of my tanks.

 

[rubiix]

Thanks so much!