Emergency - Help PLEASE! What do I do!?

[Reefer Wannabe]

That's what I love about SLASH. I've got a friend who questions that I can find accurate info about how to care for my tank from a forum where everyone is giving opinions.

Notice how everyone who offered advice all gave pretty much the same advice and advice that would be helpful. People on here are very well-educated about the hobby and although sometimes we differ in opinions about the small stuff (skimmer vs. no skimmer for instance or 78 vs. 82 for water temp), very rarely do you get someone who offers advice who has no clue what they're talking about.

 

[kimsie]

Thanks guys!!! I do love it here...

As for the water change Faz... I'm on crutches and have to keep my toes above my nose and off my feet all together for 2 weeks. SO - I don't think I'll be able to do that!

If you guys think it's really best though - I can call my LFS and have them come out to do maintenance?

It had a waterchange last week...

 

[jbarone]

How are things? Is the temp back up to normal and is everybody happy?

 

[Letmegrow]

I would not sweat the water change too much.

I would also not buy LFS water.

I would give reasons why but I am tired, I just dug a hole the size of a city bus.

 

[Schplitter]

LFS water is JUNK. I had a algae problem for 6 months after using 20 gallons to do a water change a couple time when my rodi died...

 

[fazgood]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12585442#post12585442 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Letmegrow
I would not sweat the water change too much.

I would also not buy LFS water.

I would give reasons why but I am tired, I just dug a hole the size of a city bus.

A water change might not be required but at the first sign of stress I would do one. The most likely damage to the system would be to the bacteria bed. You might see a spike in a few days where the ammonia goes up and the water gets cloudy. At that point the best course of action would be to export the pollution with a water change. Its cheap, it’s easy (for those of us with more than 9 working toes) and it’s safe. The point being that if you are not moving around well, maybe get your mother to help mix up a batch so that if its needed you can act rather than wait to have to re-act. Just my opinion though. There are always many ways to handle it.

Agree to the bad store water. So.. whats the hole for? I don't want to end up in it if I rubbed you wrong ;o)

Faz

 

[kimsie]

I know store water isn't the best - but it's worked well for me so far and to be honest I'm just NOT getting a RODI or doing any major changes to the tank until I move! We have to keep the house in constant ready to show mode and I just can't make any other improvements until then.

So - that talk is for another day. But no fear - as soon as I have my house sold - I'll be getting a RODI...

I'll keep a close eye (as close as I can from the couch) and have someone come over to do a water change if necessary.

As for now - temp is almost back to normal - was 76 last time I looked and everyone is still looking happy and healthy.

I guess time will tell for now!

 

[Letmegrow]

Bacteria is a coating on all surfaces of your tank not so much free floating.
As long as the water did not drain or the bacteria get smothered by any physical barrier, there should be NO impact.

Now if a fish died from hypoxia, then that would crash bacteria.

I respectfully disagree with Faz about the water change.
They never really hurt, but not need at this time.

The hole is because St. Josephs hostipal uses too much water and clay pipe meant for residential drainage use can only take so much abuse.

If I wanted to bury anyone I would have done it in meacham park last week when we had that all busted out. No one would ever have looked there.

 

[chadfarmer]

i would put one of the small pumps on a battery back up to atleast have the water moving

i have a tunze on a battery backup that will run the pump for atleast 8 hours

 

[Reefer Wannabe]

You can get one of those battery backup air pumps for like $20 (or maybe less) at PetSmart. I use one of those (but don't have it on the new tank yet--gotta do that!)

 

[rams]

man good advice quick you peeps are on top of it, awesome

hope all is well and this was just a fire drill to prepare you for next time, then you will know what exactly to do.

 

[kimsie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12586323#post12586323 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefer Wannabe
You can get one of those battery backup air pumps for like $20 (or maybe less) at PetSmart. I use one of those (but don't have it on the new tank yet--gotta do that!)

Thanks! As soon as Chadfarmer said that I wondered what they would be called and where I could get them.

Is there some kind of battery back up that I could just hook onto the pumps I use now? I really don't know how this stuff works...


Oh - everything is still looking really good in my tank. You guys don't know how much you helped by being here so fast!

 

[Reefer Wannabe]

This is a little air pump that you hook a tube to, and it starts and puts bubbles (oxygen) into the tank if the power goes out. Basically, it buys you some time. The other option is a battery backup that's meant for computers (that's what Chad has I think. Those would be a bit more expensive. They sell them at Best Buy, any electronics store.

 

[rams]

I saw one of those battery operated bubblers in the fish and tackle area at WallyWorld(WAL_MART)...just remember all stock stuff differently so call first. also you can try an inverter (automotive section) to run your tank for a bit in cycles off your car battery.

 

[VSpeck]

out in st chuck on truman there is a place called epc at truman and 70 that has them used for fairly cheap i think like $30. its called a ups.

at least run a pump. heater does no good if its in the sump but the fish and corals usually do ok with a temp drop as long as it doesnt happen everyday.. also i heard maxis dont do well on these battery backups.

 

[maxxII]

Disaster readiness


I have at least one Penn Plax B-11 Silent Air pump per tank....Tropical World Pets on Watson Road in St louis had a few for sale last time I was there. Oxygen is your biggest concern, high temp is your next.