California power outtage is going to kill my brand new fish

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VaranusPanoptes

Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Joined
Sep 29, 2019
Messages
24
Everything I worked for is on the line and I just got my fish two days ago (15 cichlids 3 species mbuna). Their lives are in PG&E's hands now. What a shame!
 
I apologize if any of this advice seems obvious, but the first thing is to stop feeding. You may be able to purchase a battery powered air pump at a local fish store. If you have a gas water heater or can get water to the desired temperature, you can still do water changes. I would do 50% changes daily while the power was out.
 
Good advice from all . I will add that if the temp won't drop below 68-70 degrees you should be ok . The temp will drop slowly so the fish shouldn't mind , just when the power comes back on raise the temp slowly over a day or so and they won't mind that either . A generator would be the best bet and if PG&E is going to keep this up a generator will get used more than once .
 
I borrowed a battery back up device and ran my sponge filters but could not run my hob. As for daily water changes, I am on well water and couldn't even flush my toilet as I had to store water in the tub to flush the toilet. I live in an apartment and don't know if I could run a generator legally. Thank you all for the advice! :)
 
I would hate to say drop some money into the project, but you could go to Harbor Freight, or another store like that and pick up a solar panel back up type panel to run a mini-pond "fountain" Then remove the fish from the tank, put them in a bucket or a clean plastic tub to make the space smaller. Wrap it with space blankets/ bubble wrap. (A cooler might work if it is clean). Just put the solar panel in your window. That will account for at least 8 hours of aeration. Surface agitation is what you need to oxygenate the water, and water changes.
 
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