No Electric

[sekhmut0402]

Hi

There's a "planned disruption" of our electricity next week - it'll be off from about 9am, until 4pm, essential upgrade work apparently.

We've got two 2ft community tanks - and one tiny tank currently housing a sick Betta boy. I've ordered two battery powered air pumps to keep the air flowing throughout the disruption, but what else can we do to ensure our fish are OK?

 

[chickpea1980]

I work for the electricity board and these are a few tips from a fact sheet they send out:

1) Try to have spare battery powered heater/filter/air pump

2)For insulation, wrap the tank in blankets

3) If possible, fill hot water bottles with WARM water and place around the tank

4) Using a bicycle pump is a cheaper alternative of aerating the tank. You would need to do this at regular intervals

5) It is wise to disturb the water surface for 5 minutes each hour. A good way is to fill a jug with tank water and empty it back into the tank making as much movement as possible

Hope this helps

Chick x

 

[soritan]

I'd be more concerned about my filter than aeration -- unless you're grossly overstocked, an aerator rarely makes such a huge difference that fish will die if one isn't on for a bit.

On the other hand, if the good bacteria dies in your filter, due to lack of circulation, then your tank will have to cycle all over again. Best case scenerio, only some of the bacteria will die off and it'll just minicycle.

Large volumes of water retain heat fairly well, and the temperature drop will probably be gradual when the heat is off. I'd just insulate the larger tank, and focus more of my attention on that poor sickly betta.

Perhaps float him in a bag, inside the larger tank if you can't think of something more effective?

 

[sekhmut0402]

I'd just insulate the larger tank, and focus more of my attention on that poor sickly betta.

Perhaps float him in a bag, inside the larger tank if you can't think of something more effective?

Just checked on him... he's gone RIP boy

Thanx for the suggestions people - will definitely follow your advice.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

To preserve your good bacteria, remove the bio-media from the filter and let it float in the tank. The battery pumps should be fine for surface aggitation for 7 hours of no electric. If you have live plants, they will continue to make O during lighted period of the day.

When the power returns just put the media back into the filter.

 

[carrera]

i recently went through an 8 hour power outage. i took no action and today, 2 days later, both of my tanks readings are fine.

 

[sekhmut0402]

Thanx again people

I've decided to rehome some guppies before this happens, one tank is ok - but the one in the kitchen is very close to being over-stocked. I'd rather rehome a few than take a chance.