Lost Power

[saratogaslim]

Hi all, we lost power last night and they are not expecting it to be restored for at least 3 more days. What can I do for my fish? The store recommends a battery powered air pump, but how is that going to filter the water?

Should I do water changes daily? I'm worried about my guys, especially since two of them are new and though they settled in very quickly, they're still stressed of course.

Thanks for any advice!!

 

[meguro]

unless u can keep the temperature up i would probably refrain from doing water changes. if u have a gas stove and can boil water, or gas hot water unit (provided it doesnt use electricity to start), or gas heaters and can maintain a nice room temperature (22C+), water changes may be a good idea. otherwise i think the best thing to do would be to try and keep as much of the bacteria alive by running tank water through the filter sponge/media as frequently as ur able to

it might also be of benefit not to feed for the duration of the power outage

 

[Verminator89]

Battery powered air pump would create water flow, thus preventing stagnant water. As meguro mentioned if you can boil water without power then daily water changes would be ok, providing you don't cook your fish alive with too much boiled water

What on earth has happened for power to go for such a long time?

 

[saratogaslim]

Thanks folks! I do have a gas stove, so will heat some water for them. I'm sure they're wondering where the bubbles went and who turned out the lights?!

We had a storm here this past Sunday that caused 100,000+ people to lose power. Randomly, I did not until last night!

 

[PDSimon]

Doesn't boiling water change its hardness? I'm not too sure someone else would have to answer that, I just thought it changed the hardness which wouldn't be too good, its probably just best to heat cold water to the right temp

You need to get oxygen in the water, so if you don't use a battery airpump I would definately keep pouring water in, even if its from the tank to get oxygen into the water.

 

[Tolak]

If you buy or make a box filter you can run your filter media in that, solving the bio filtration problem. Run it with the battery powered air pump. Being summer if you are in a warmer climate keeping the tank cool may be an issue. Just as warmer water changes will keep the temperature up cooler water changes will keep the temperature down.

 

[saratogaslim]

Thanks all, just wanted to let everyone know I used a combo of suggestions and heated water (rather than boil) and did a water change every day...everyone looks like they have come through just fine. Trooper-fish! Appreciate the help.

 

[Verminator89]

Glad to hear it mate. The lack of casualties is a real heart warmer