What To Do If The Power Goes Out

[Discovery86]

The weather in western NY is shaping up for a potential ice storm. What should I do if the power goes out???

I have 1 betta in a 2.5 gallon minibow with a heater and filter. I also have a 30 gal. with 5 lemon tetras, 7 zebra danios, and a few fry.

Tetragirl

 

[Fate2006]

your betta should be fine... but I don't know about the other fish... might be ok but stressed beyond belief... I know my power went out for like 5 minutes and my fish were pissed off and stressed out beyond belief!

 

[fishcollector7000]

wrap you tank up in a towell to keep in the heat. and dont lift the lid? the air shud be fine for a few hours

 

[doresy]

I am in the UK and the power in my village is off several times a year! Here you can get a basic generator for abot £50 ($100?) Great for the tank electrics providing I keep the kids from the TV! Worthwhile investment I say

 

[Tolak]

Blankets around the tank to conserve heat, fill some clean 2 liter bottles with warm water, cap them & float them in the tank for extended outages. Pour tank water through your filter media a few times hourly to feed your nitrifying bacteria, and pour water into the tank to keep up the O2 level.

If you have a canister filter or other filter where you can't pour the water through, get a clean plastic cup, and poke some holes in the bottom, a couple dozen 1/8" holes works well. Put your media in the cup & clip it to the inside of the tank. A few times hourly pour water through your home made filter, you are the pump.

I have a 5kw generator, it will run my furnace, fridge, sump pump, a few lights, and the fishroom.

 

[Discovery86]

Thanks so much for the quick responses. I guess I should have mentioned that when Rochester, NY gets ice storms, the power is usually out for 3 or more days.

Is there a minimum or maximum amount of water that should be poured through the filter??
Would a battery powered air pump help with the o2 levels?

Thanks
Tetragirl

 

[crazie.eddie]

Just perform frequent water changes with warmer water. This will help keep the tank temp down. Regarding the nights, then wrap them with blankets and hopefully it does not get too cold. Good luck.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Thanks so much for the quick responses. I guess I should have mentioned that when Rochester, NY gets ice storms, the power is usually out for 3 or more days.

Is there a minimum or maximum amount of water that should be poured through the filter??
Would a battery powered air pump help with the o2 levels?

Thanks
Tetragirl

yes that would help with o2 levels.

if your anticipating power cuts of 2/3 days at a time your really gonna need to get a generator so you can run the tank as normal for a few days.