Disaster - I'm Gutted

[CLOSSIE]

Came home from work this evening to find circa 50% of my fish dead. At some point in the last 12 hours my airline broke away from the air pump. As the tank is tall and skinny, oxygen levels are hard to maintain, so the pump is on all the time. It only has to be off for 12 hours and disaster can strike. I am gone nearly 14+ hours a day travelling to and from work.

I have never had a major disaster like this before.
Be warned people... There's nothing more gutting than emptying fish you have had for over 2+ years into a plastic bag. speechless and gutted. just gutted and speechless.

Considering glueing the pipe to my air pump.... good idea?

 

[Ludwig Venter]

Ouch!!... sorry to hear.... been there, done that,,,, got the T-shirt..... a plan must be made if so sensitive...... do it. (glue thing)

 

[Mr Spoon]

Fit a one way valve in the air line- that will stop the water back syphoning if the airline comes out the pump or if there's a power cut.

 

[MHunt]

What about running two pumps, then if one fails, the other should suffice till you can get it fixed. Also the glue thing is probably a good idea too.

 

[dave_oddballs]

if you have a filter such as fluval or tetratec, they can supply air via tubing from the actual filter, not only is it less power usage (minus an air pump) it is less likely to be knocked off during the day as it is inaccessible.
other than that there is internal air pumps, maybe add a small powerhead to add oxygen to the tank. there is a number of alternatives to having an airpump next to the tank susceptible to knocks.