Power outages!! - Aquarium Advice

Danio35 · 01-08-2005, 07:55 PM

We just had a nasty ice storm up here in Northern Indiana. Fortunately, my power did not go out, but it made me think that I better start thinking about the future.

What is the best thing to do to prepare for possible power outages to avoid fish deaths?

Jchillin · 01-08-2005, 08:47 PM

Danio - It's very simple. The same things you would need can be used to save your fish. A generator of a size that can produce enough power for a few hours is a necessity these days. I'm sure there are a number of folks who can share their experience from the vast blackout from 2 years ago.

PK Tester · 01-09-2005, 12:05 AM

I have heard of people having battery backups for their aquariums like what is used on computers. They had a specific size they used. I do not know much about them. Just an idea

Menagerie · 01-09-2005, 03:50 AM

We don't have a generator (I hope the power never goes out too long), but we do keep battery operated air pumps.

BrianNY · 01-09-2005, 09:21 AM

Battery operated pumps are a must if you don't have a backup generator. You can also throw blankets over the tanks to reduce heat loss.

After the December Noreaster that hit NY in 95, I was without power for 8 days. Of course I lost everything. I didn't set up another aquarium for 6 years.

Wizzard~Of~Ozz · 01-09-2005, 11:55 AM

I have a 500VA battery backup on my bigger filter & the heater which should run for about an hour or more.

Beyond that a blanket over the tank would help keep the temp up.. hope there aren't any more 24+ power outages.

SerLunchbox · 01-09-2005, 01:41 PM

why not go out and buy and APC backup system. They can cost some cash, but they can keep an aquarium going for quite some time when the lights go out.

01-08-2005, 07:55 PM	#1
Danio35 Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lebanon, IN Posts: 135	Power outages!! We just had a nasty ice storm up here in Northern Indiana. Fortunately, my power did not go out, but it made me think that I better start thinking about the future. What is the best thing to do to prepare for possible power outages to avoid fish deaths? __________________ "I am NOT a witch! I am NOT a witch! They dressed me like this!"

01-08-2005, 08:47 PM	#2
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,970 Images: 47	Danio - It's very simple. The same things you would need can be used to save your fish. A generator of a size that can produce enough power for a few hours is a necessity these days. I'm sure there are a number of folks who can share their experience from the vast blackout from 2 years ago. __________________ _________________________________

01-09-2005, 03:50 AM	#4
Menagerie Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 11,266 Images: 77	We don't have a generator (I hope the power never goes out too long), but we do keep battery operated air pumps. __________________

01-09-2005, 11:55 AM	#6
Wizzard~Of~Ozz Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,015 Images: 2	I have a 500VA battery backup on my bigger filter & the heater which should run for about an hour or more. Beyond that a blanket over the tank would help keep the temp up.. hope there aren't any more 24+ power outages. __________________ 120 Gal SW, 150lbs Prem. Fiji, 23Gal Sump, 2x250w 15K MH, 4x65w Actinic 3 x Halichoeres Chrysus (1 surfed), 3 x Nemateleotris magnifica, 1 x Centropyge bicolor, 11 x Scarlet Hermits, 6 x Zebra Hermits, 40 x Astrea Snails, 6 x Nassarius Snails, 3 x Cerith Snails

01-09-2005, 01:41 PM	#7
SerLunchbox Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,526 Images: 1	why not go out and buy and APC backup system. They can cost some cash, but they can keep an aquarium going for quite some time when the lights go out. __________________ Lunchbox ... "i'm a man, but i can change, if i have to, i guess" Tankless ... for now ... until i find what i really want (and what the wife lets me get!)

01-09-2005, 12:05 AM	#3
PK Tester Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 482 Images: 1	I have heard of people having battery backups for their aquariums like what is used on computers. They had a specific size they used. I do not know much about them. Just an idea

01-09-2005, 09:21 AM	#5
BrianNY Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 4,259 Images: 18	Battery operated pumps are a must if you don't have a backup generator. You can also throw blankets over the tanks to reduce heat loss. After the December Noreaster that hit NY in 95, I was without power for 8 days. Of course I lost everything. I didn't set up another aquarium for 6 years.

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