Power Outages Expected

[gilaesther]

So, we're expecting the hurricane to hit us Sunday night through Tuesday. Our power company has already sent out emails about preparing for power outages... Of course, it didn't mention what to do with aquariums.

What can I do to prepare, just in case. And what do I do, if indeed we lose power for a short time? What do I do if we lose power for a long time?

Thank you for any and all advice!

 

[Aquascaper]

A petrol generator would be best but if not possible then maintaining temperature and keeping filtration going is the key.

Temperature can be retained by insulating the outside of the tank with blankets/duvet/home insulation or similar. Keep opening the hood to an absolute minimum as this is where most heat is lost.

Keeping the filtration going is harder, the bacteria require water flowing over them to 'feed' so some way of either moving water through the filter or removing the media into a stocking and moving it through the water is required. Not constantly but ideally every few hours or so to keep the bacteria alive. As for the water parameters, regular water changes to maintain levels as normal but probably more frequently as the filter will not be as efficient.

If you have hot water not requiring electricity to be heated then regular water changes with pre heard water will help solve both issues.

 

[gilaesther]

Ok, so if I pour water through the filter to keep the media wet every few hours, and change the water... lets say once a day for an extended outage?

I'll have to heat water on the stove and then mix it with cold water from the tap, but this is where it's actually an advantage to have a gas oven. I can light the gas manually, if necessary.

Does that sound about right?

 

[Aquascaper]

Yeah, water changes will help maintain water quality, the warm water will help maintain tank temperature and poring water through the filter will help the bacteria survive. Don't let the filter media dry out otherwise the bacteria will die off, what type of filter is it?

 

[gilaesther]

I have a Marineland Penguin power filter. It's a biowheel, but I have ceramic rings in there in a mesh bag. Someone told me that biowheels are inefficient, so I added the ceramic as a backup.

I currently have the standard cartridge for it, but I plan on getting a sheet of sponge filter and cutting it to size and then disassembling the last cartridge refill in the box to remove the carbon, and attaching it to the plastic backing for ease of removal, when necessary.

 

[Aquascaper]

Whilst your power is out keep the filter media under water (probably have to detach the biowheel and drop it in the tank) and just run water through the filter every so often.

Main thing is to ensure the filer media doesn't dry out.

 

[creeker]

You could pick up a battery powered air pump or two at a bait shop (they use them to aerate bait buckets and live wells.) Maybe an airstone right in the filter and one in the tank would be beneficial. One would keep the bacteria in the filter alive, and the other would help keep the main tank aerated. Don't forget to get lots of batteries! Also, you might want to call your LFS and ask them what they are going to do.

 

[Aquascaper]

^^^^ Good plan

 

[gilaesther]

Lol, I don't think we have any bait shops in the area... we're not exactly in a place where people do a lot of fishing. And those that do, in the few lakes and streams where they can catch anything, use lures. And I thnk my husband would freak out, since I just bought a plug in air pump last week because my filter was working inconsistently and I needed to wait for a new part from the manufacturer.

But I can call the LFS that I trust and see what they're doing. That's a good idea. Thanks!

 

[Jenste]

We are in RI, not far from you at all and I have also been wondering what to do about the potential power outages. I am going to do a series of large water changes for the store gets here and have been starting to tick down the temperatures on the heater a couple degrees a day so that if the power does go out then the temperature swing won't be drastic to the tanks.

 

[creeker]

We are in RI, not far from you at all and I have also been wondering what to do about the potential power outages. I am going to do a series of large water changes for the store gets here and have been starting to tick down the temperatures on the heater a couple degrees a day so that if the power does go out then the temperature swing won't be drastic to the tanks.

I like the idea of lowering the temp slowly, but what if power is off a long time and the temp drops even lower? I'd be afraid it would drop too low. I think I'd keep the temp the same as usual, then just try to maintain it (adding warmer) throughout the outage. You might need to pick up a small propane burner stove, like used in camping, to heat up pots of water. A single burner would probably be about $15.00, plus $4.00 or so for the propane, at Walmart. Be sure to have plenty of water conditioner on hand if you do this.

 

[Aquascaper]

The OP already stated they have a gas cooker and would be able to add warm water to the tank.

 

[Crossfire]

I've been stocking up, I knew Hurricane Sandy was going to be trouble.

I have blankets ready, plastic water bottles ready to be filled with hot water to keep temperature warm, I've stocked up on AmmoniaSafe in case the power outtage lasts more than a day ( I really hope not)
I had a battery air pump, but it burned out I'm heading to Petco to get two, one for my 20gal and one for my 5gal.



I'm expecting the worst, so I am preparing like nothing before.

 

[creeker]

The OP already stated they have a gas cooker and would be able to add warm water to the tank.

Oops, note to self, read all previous posts.

 

[Aquascaper]