Any hurricane season tips ?

[Blazindrgn]

I had to go through an 13 hour power loss, I lost my week old yellow tang, a clown fish and a few corals, most of my corals and a few damsels survived.

With no circulation at about 6 hours is when things started to get really desperate looking.

I eventually borrowed a generator from a friend which is why some of things probally got saved.

So for everyone that says they have made it a day or more without circulation I don't see how, Im jealous.

Now I have a APC back up battery, which I have a few pumps and my bak pak 2 hooked up to, which has come in handy a few times for like 3-4 hour power outages, even thought the tank could be ok for that time, its stressful on the livestock.

Id go with a generator if your looking at long power outages, which for hurricane season is likely. But if you go the back up route you need a quality one, I saw a thread about sin curves for power or something, and basically it was saying some back ups can't power powerheads but ones like my APC one can. I can't find the thread again, I wish I could.

 

[Reefflections]

I live here in Florida also.I do have a generator for a back up.It's gas powered.But I converted over to propane.You can do propane natural gas.You take the carb off and they can make it run on these fuels.It's a lot safer than all those gas cans.It doesn't gum the carb up after sitting around for a year.Also went to Lowe's they have the large cylinders,you can buy for the propane.I think it's around 79 bucks.Very happy with this change over.One pull of the cord and this baby is running.Just want to post this,because lot of folks might not know it.As long as you have their models they up grade you are all set.But thet give all the info you need on the site.You can do it yourself,or send it to them.Here you go.
www.propane-generators.com

 

[Stoney Mahony]

Awesome post, I have been looking for a way to convert my 6500 watt. Thanks! And as far as being evacuated, I am in Orlando and after 24 years, I have only been evacuated 1 time and that was b/c the roof collapsed on my appartement building. Maybe if you are on the coast or in the keys you will, but when they evacuate, they go to Orlando so you really don't have to worry about that here. Or should I say, not yet. Global warming SUCKS!

 

[Wazzel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7452079#post7452079 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Feerlaroc
Wow sounds like airstones are worthless then.

They are good for short power outages. I have hear of a few that kept peoples tanks up for a few days. IMO they are not good for outages that last several days.

 

[Reefflections]

Stoney
Glad to help.....If you send the carb to them,they are probably up to their ears with carbs now?Because we all know it's hurricane season,next week.If you are handy or has a friend,you can get the kit and do it yourself.We all wait to the last minute to get things done.To bad this post wasn't done a few months ago,to give you the time.
What I also done was.Get and deep cycle battery from Sam's.Then went to Walmart for the battery charger,and a 750 watt inverter.That way the Gen can recharge my battery.It maybe and over kill on my part.But with us here in Florida,we have to think that way.You mentioned living in Orlando as being a little more save.It seems the tornadoes that spin of these hurricanes do just as much damage as the storms themselves.So you don't need a direct hit,to lose power for weeks at end.
But I hope this link helps a lot of folks out here?Because us folks down here need all the help we can get lately.......

 

[Peabody]

Be prepared for anything. I live North of New Orleans and we were without power for a little over 4 weeks. Luckly there was nothing in my tank except rock!

The problem I worry about is not generators, nor battery power pumps, it's evacuation. We had mandatory evacuation for about 8 days for Katrina (though came back a little early). This time if I have to evac (and I will for the right storm....especially after Katrina!) the tank will have to fend for itself with just battery powered airstones for a litle while. I'm not going to risk my life nor my family's lives so I can take care of the tank!

 

[Donjc]

Battery operated air pumps are good for about 7 days depending on how heavily stocked. If you afford it I recommend a whole house standby generator especially if your house has natural gas or sole portable generator. During the last huricanne in Miami we where without electricity close to 2 weeks. The farther north it took even longer. So, prepare for the worst 2 to 3 weeks witout electricity. Great Thread

 

[Donjc]

Battery operated air pumps are good for about 7 days depending on how heavily stocked. If you afford it I recommend a whole house standby generator especially if your house has natural gas or sole portable generator. During the last huricanne in Miami we where without electricity close to 2 weeks. The farther north it took even longer. So, prepare for the worst 2 to 3 weeks witout electricity. Great Thread

 

[Stoney Mahony]

Just to clarify, I meant safe from Floods/Evacuations. No one can predict the wind.

 

[Feerlaroc]

The evacuation is what I fear the most.

 

[escape2theocean]

I went w/o power from Charley for one week here in Cape Coral, FL. I bought a generator a few days before the storm, best money I ever spent! It saved me after Wilma last year too! I lost a couple small sps frags but everything else was fine. I ran the main circ pump & VHO lights only. Get lots of gas jugs and fill them though, my generator uses about 10gals per day!

Escape