Power Cut

[Ardvark]

We've had thunder around our way and my better half came up with ( to me ) a good question. If we had a power cut how long will my 64 litre 2 foot tank last for without power before me guppies start suffering? As always any answers will be gratefully received.
 
                                                                                                         Al

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

Just do small water changes to put oxygen in, and with ammonia and nitrite depends how many fish are in there, how much you fed, etc. Just plop the filter media in the tank and keep the water moving past the media to help the bacteria eat the ammonia

 

[Essjay]

We had a planned power outage last year while they did some work on the substation. The power was off for 8 hours. Because it was planned we did have warning, which you wouldn't have with an unplanned outage (obviously!), I fed the fish lightly for a couple of days then nothing the day before or the day without power, then light feeding for a couple of days after. I got the house nice and warm (March) before the power went off so the tanks didn't lose much heat and just left the filters as they were - 3 tanks, 125, 50 and 25 litres all with internal filters. I monitored the ammonia and nitrite levels during the day and for a few days after and never saw even a blip in either of them.
For an unplanned outage, you wouldn't be able to reduce feeding before but you could stop feeding till the power came back and the day after. And this wouldn't work if you were without power for several days, though unless you live somewhere well off the beaten track or the weather was appalling for days on end the power shouldn't be off too long.

 

[attibones]

I would get a battery operated air pump so you can keep water moving, too. They are great for emergencies and they are handy when traveling to pick up new fish. If you lost power while it was very warm, you likely wouldn't have an issue with temperature control in the tank (no more than usual, though I hear our friends in the UK are having issues with temp right now), but if you lost power while it was quite cold, you could always wrap the tank in blankets or towels to help retain heat.

 

[ShinySideUp]

A 64 litre 2 foot tank would easily be driven by a 12 volt hobby battery (or car battery if you have one) for at least nine hours using an inverter, I know this because I did exactly that using one of these http/www.amazon.co.uk/Ring-Automotive-Inverter-Transmitter-Playback/dp/B00499DTWY/ref=sr_1_43?ie=UTF8&qid=1406850145&sr=8-43&keywords=inverters+12v+to+240v .
 
Now I have a 640 litre six foot tank I own a generator so powerful I can boil a kettle and run a lawnmower as well as powering my fish tank filter, heater and lights so power cuts hold no more fear for me.