Power Outage and won’t be home

[Sarah J]

ok guys. I’m having a quick power outage. About 3 hours. I’m knowing what to do I’m just not going to be home when it gets back on!! Anyone dealt with this before?? I’m working a 12 hour shift! Everything’s on a surge protector so I was just going to leave it all plugged in.

 

[tlindsey]

ok guys. I’m having a quick power outage. About 3 hours. I’m knowing what to do I’m just not going to be home when it gets back on!! Anyone dealt with this before?? I’m working a 12 hour shift! Everything’s on a surge protector so I was just going to leave it all plugged in.

I wouldn't feed the fish and add a air stone powered by a battery air pump if you have one on hand. I would suggest submergeing the bio media in the main aquarium if its in HOB filter so it won't dry out. Do a partial wc when you get home.

 

[tiger15]

If you keep up with your WC and not overloaded, your fish should be able to tolerate up to 8 hour power outage. If not, you have over stocked to dangerous zone.

In anticipation of power outage, I will not feed the fish and do a large WC. I do the same when I plan to bag fish for auction, and those fish stay in the bag up to 8 hours before release.

Penn-Plax sells a battery power air pump (Model B11) that plugs in the AC to stay "off", and triggered "on" when the power is out.

 

[skjl47]

If you keep up with your WC and not overloaded, your fish should be able to tolerate up to 8 hour power outage. If not, you have over stocked to dangerous zone.

Hello; This. A moderately stocked tank should be ok for a few hours. I went to fairly light stocking many years ago and have had all fish survive a three day power outage in the past.
As others have stated, WC and no feeding are also good ideas if you are concerned.

 

[Leebtattoos]

The type of filters make a difference on above statements. Canisters can have issues in as little as 3-4 hrs even with light stocking because they’re a closed system.

A battery powered air pump is a good idea to have for many reasons.

 

[David R]

Canisters can have issues in as little as 3-4 hrs even with light stocking because they’re a closed system.

This can be minimised/avoided by proper maintenance and cleaning, and not following the old bs. myth of "I only clean it out when the flow starts slowing down".

 

[Leebtattoos]

This can be minimised/avoided by proper maintenance and cleaning, and not following the old bs. myth of "I only clean it out when the flow starts slowing down".

like my post says. Canisters “can”.

 

[Sarah J]

I appreciate all of your replies. The power went out at 4:30am and came back on at 6:45am. About 2 hrs. I woke up as soon as it went out. I have a canister filter and freaked out and drained it to get oxygen in there and refilled it with aquarium water. I have a lightly stocked tank in a 125g that I’ve been changing water every 2 days anyways to help with a very mild ich situation. My temp was at 88 and only dropped to 85. I was also pulling out water and pouring it back in for oxygen. I will definitely be prepared for next time. I had to leave for work at 7 so I just added water to my tank to replace what I took out and didn’t feed them. I’ll do a small water change tonight just for the heck of it. I freaked and didn’t have anything to go by so happy for this thread now.

 

[David R]

Sounds like you've got it covered, two hours is nothing really, IME. I've had my tank off for that long while cleaning out my sump!

like my post says. Canisters “can”.

So does mine.

Wasn't disagreeing with ya, just following on from your comment.