Power cut--advice?

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 06 Dec 2004, 14:31

My street is to have a 7 hour planned power cut on Wednesday for maintenance, and I would be interested to hear from anybody else whose fish have been through a power cut scenario. At least I know about it beforehand and can prepare in advance.

Monty · Post by **Monty** » 06 Dec 2004, 15:51

Hi,

Assuming that the tank is not too overstocked, or unless the tank is in a very cold location for a power cut of this length of time the only thing you may need to do is arrange some air supplies from battery air pumps ( which are always handy to have)into airstones to assist the oxygen exchange and the co2 being driven off .

Temperature drop will be minimal and the heater/stat will soon take care of that when the power comes back on.

I am sure you know this but dont adjust the thermostat to"help" as this would cause an increase in temperature when the power comes back on.

Also refrain from feeding the fish the day before and the day after ,this will ensure the filter is in prime condition.

Finally, most times the proposed power interruption is shorter than they warn you of. shouldn't be any problem to you.

Post by **Barbie** » 06 Dec 2004, 15:56

I've been contemplating buying a generator for just such an emergency. A loss of power for more than an hour could have catastrophic results during the winter here. My fish used to be fine during the 3 and 4 hour spells with no power in Kansas City, but I was careful not to overstock the tanks. Now I've become more complacent.

If you're worried about tank temp, wrapping them with blankets, taping on heat packs, and adding water heated on a gas stove then floated in bottles can help.

Good luck. I'm really glad it's not something I'm having to prepare for!

Barbie

RogerMcAllen · Post by **RogerMcAllen** » 06 Dec 2004, 18:38

Be sure to keep your biofilters in fresh oxygenated water to keep the bacteria from dying out, and leaving you with an ammonia spike when the power comes back on.

Post by **corybreed** » 06 Dec 2004, 23:22

I have had power failures lasting up to 24 hours and have not lost any fish. Since you know of the power cut in advance do some water changes and everything should be fine.

Mark

PlecoCrazy · Post by **PlecoCrazy** » 07 Dec 2004, 05:19

You didn't say how many tanks that you have but if you only have one you could get a 500-800va UPS which would keep your equipment up and running for a while, plus you would have a backup for those unscheduled power outages.

Rocket · Post by **Rocket** » 07 Dec 2004, 16:53

Do you have a gas cooker? Is so it's an idea to boil water and put them in glass bottles and then float them in the tank. I have found that this plus wrapping the tank in polystyrene helps keep the temp falling to much.

Rocket