Any hurricane season tips ?

[Feerlaroc]

I just wanted to start this thread to get any advice on maintaining a SPS tank through the power outages. I bought 3 air pumps that activate upon power loss and work on batteries. I want any and all hurricane tips that any of you guys have on this thread, & lets just hope we don't need them. I have read on here that the most important things to have running on a tank are the skimmer (for O2) and circulation pumps. Is this true ? How long can a SPS tank go without lighting and be okay ?

 

[Wazzel]

The best item to get is a generator. Not only will it save your tank, but you can run you fridge if you get a large enough generator.

I think the tank can go a few days with no lights. IMO the main circulation pump and the skimmer are the two to keep running.

 

[Amphiprion]

Unless it is heavily stocked with fish, most tanks can go at least several days even without a main pump or skimmer, etc--even longer without lighting. However, battery operated air pumps would be necessary after a day or so. My tank ran for a week on battery operated air pumps alone.

 

[tangwang]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7427940#post7427940 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wazzel
The best item to get is a generator. Not only will it save your tank, but you can run you fridge if you get a large enough generator.

I think the tank can go a few days with no lights. IMO the main circulation pump and the skimmer are the two to keep running.

Ditto on that water movement and gas exchange are the two most important things when the power goes out, followed by water temp. So make sure you have a way to keep the temp in a reasonable range as well.... especially here in FL.



Matt

 

[Feerlaroc]

So a generator for circulation, fans for cooling, air pumps for O2. Good tips everyone, thanks for sharing.

 

[Jovreefer]

the 2 most importaint things are temp and some circulation.

PLEASE dont forget the temp in FL. Get lots of water bottles & freeze them. you can then float them in the tank.

In huricane charlie my 46g tank was without circulation for 2 days with no losses (due to brand new air pump crapping out in a day) we then got a generator from a family member and ran the skimmer & a PH for 4 weeks. In a house without AC though the tank temps went well into the 90's and fried everything! Thats the one thing I was not prepaired for...temps.

PLEASE learn from my mistakes and dont forget to float ice!

 

[Jovreefer]

Oh.. and I had a fan, they dont work when your just blowing hot air over a hot tank

 

[Feerlaroc]

Oh yeah, good point about the fans Jovreefer ! I would have never thought about that. Thanks great tip.

 

[onehundred20]

good post, im in central florida but I didnt have my tank during the last hurricanes, guess its time to prepare for that.

 

[IMPERATORFAN]

Good info on the ice blocks. I know Katrina was an unusually powerful storm, but if you want to prepare for one of those, think in terms of 2-3 weeks without power. We've learned more than you can imagine about storm preparation in LA. The good ole days of grabbing a couple gallons of water, flashlight, batteries and a loaf of bread are long gone. If you get a generator, get lots of fuel. Stations can't pump without power and the demand on gas after a storm far outweighs the supply.

 

[Gino555]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Honda-EU2000i-G...yZ106437QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[iluvtrigger]

I will simply put it, get a generator that will run the house.

 

[Stoney Mahony]

I got hit by charlie. Get a generator. Enough said. It's worth investing in when you look at how much you spend on your tank. Even if you don't get a huge one, get one big enough for your tank. You can eat out

 

[deansreef]

generator can be used if you are able to stay at the house and not get evacuated...

 

[DaddyJax]

Ditto on the generator.

 

[DitchPlains2]

Political garbage removed...

Ryan
RC Staff

 

[iluvtrigger]

Political comment removed...

 

[rbaker]

Please do not post your political comments again...

 

[rmodys]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7427940#post7427940 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wazzel
The best item to get is a generator. Not only will it save your tank, but you can run you fridge if you get a large enough generator.

I think the tank can go a few days with no lights. IMO the main circulation pump and the skimmer are the two to keep running.

Yup. We were trying to run our tank off of aeriators after Charley and that just didn't work. We were lucky enough to find a generator (we got the last one) and hooked up the PC lights and the pumps. That saved our tank, but sadly our friend's tank crashed and almost everything died, even using aeriators.

 

[Feerlaroc]

Wow sounds like airstones are worthless then.