Ice Storm No Power

[Medicine Man]

Just wanted to see how everyone is coming along after all of the power outages. We were fortunate enough to only be without power for 18 hours......so far. I bought a generator before the last storm in November and was able to use it to keep everything going (minus lights) for the down time. Just wanted to tell everyone that I am sorry for any losses, property damage and of course our sea dwelling friends that do not do so well without electricity. Hope you all stay safe and warm.

 

[Red Sea Purple Tang]

Our thoughts were definately with you guys as the were showing Springfield on the news. We're entertaining the possiblity of a generator also.

 

[John Kelly]

We just got our internet back on. By some miracle our power hasn't gone out yet, but we have a huge ice covered walnut tree lurking directly over our power line in the back yard :worried:. I haven't been able to sleep at night because of all the trees and branches falling. It's like fireworks, literally like every minute all through the night......POP!! CRACK!! WOOSH!! and then all of the ice falling off the trees sounds like sparkles coming down. Sometimes we can feel the concussion from it. There are power lines down everywhere around here. Hopefully everyone else made it ok so far.

Here are some photos from around the hood:

Normally you can see houses lining these streets.

Frozen Fire Bush

Phelps Grove Park.

 

[Red Sea Purple Tang]

Wow!

 

[Deadeye]

I have lost so far, a rose bubble anemone and my rittirie anemone. I tried using a computer UPS but I discovered they do not work correctly with power heads and heaters. My LTA and all of my fish are OK, so far. I plan on buying a small generator when I have the money to avoid problems the next time this happens.

 

[vortex6]

I lost about 80% of my tank. I was without power for a little over 3 days. I lost all of my SPS corals except for 3. I also lost about half of my soft corals. I lost an awesome Xenia that was just starting to take off really well. I lost 7 out of 10 fish, 2 cleaner shrimp, 1 coral banded shrimp, sally lightfoot crab, lettuce nudibranch.

I wasn't able to get a generator hooked up until my power had been off for about 36 hours. It was too late by then. I had a fireplace that kept the water fairly warm but I think it was the lack of water flow that did everything in. I was at least able to save some of the tank though. I'm just upset because it takes so long to grow corals. I'll at least be ready for the next time this happens.

Not that I'm in to begging but I would be most grateful for any coral frag donations in the Springfield area. I'm embarrassed to show my tank right now. Looks like I'm just growing a rock garden.

 

[John Kelly]

Sorry to hear about that. I was expecting the same thing over here. Steve Hess (SoupySteve) lives down the street and is currently without power. He has lost a few things. I think he is somehow using his car battery to run a space heater, which is keeping his tank in the low 70's.

I can make a few sps frags for you and I got quite a few different softies to make frags from.

 

[inlandreef]

I have been without power for over 4 days. Lost all my fish, shrimp, and it looks to be all my mushrooms. The fate of my RBTA is still unknown. My SPS seem ok for now and my Deresa is still alive. The tank smells really bad

 

[Red Sea Purple Tang]

Yikes!

 

[vortex6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9004480#post9004480 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by John Kelly
I can make a few sps frags for you and I got quite a few different softies to make frags from.

I would be very grateful for anything you could spare just to get me back on my feet. I saw you were planning a frag swap soon so I figure I might just hit you up there. I'm still taking damage assessments right now. Looks like a few of the other softies I had that I thought might recover didn't. Some of the stuff is just taking awhile to fully die off.

Do you have any Anthelia by chance? That is one of my favorite softies and both of mine died.

Hey inlandreef, my tank smelled really bad too. I couldn't hardly stand to come into the room. The whole room smelled like death. It's back to normal now. I hope your SPS are ok. I thought mine were ok too, but it just took a few days for them to fully die. 3 of mine survived or at least I think they have. I may have actually saved 1 more too. I fragged the very tip of one that was obviously dying since it was turning white at the base heading upwards. It was one of the only parts that hadn't turned white yet. The frag is only about a half inch but it still looks alive. I guess we'll see what happens.

 

[inlandreef]

It looks like I lost almost everything As for my SPS we shall see

 

[John Kelly]

That is sad. I feel for you Mike.

 

[aquaconnect]

We just got power back here in Aurora tonight after 5 days. I had a 11 horse 5500watt gen, to run my heater and pumps, and learned electronic ballasts running HQI's won't fire off a generator. I was able to keep my tank at 77 degrees w/o lighting, but everything looks like it will be alright. I was dreading loosing my 18K in coral and feel for everyone who is still w/o. I know that Cathy and Larry are out here in Aurora still, but they have a generator and should be maybe back up tomorrow since they are right across the street. Everyone is in my thoughts and prayers!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Red Sea Purple Tang]

and learned electronic ballasts running HQI's won't fire off a generator.

What have you come up with for a reason?

 

[aquaconnect]

I think since the power fluctuates w/the rpms as things kick on and off that it doesn't hold a constant voltage, thus the automatic trigger in the icecaps prevents them from firing as a safety percaution. But this is all just a guess.

 

[joelk835]

I lost about 75% of my corals which was a good amount but no fish so far as I got a generator after a few days. Totally disgusted is all I can say.

 

[DeLong20]

Lost 100% of both my 75 and my 24. It really sucks knowing there was nothing I could of done. Just finished cleaning out my 75 and will put it into storage. Just don't have the heart and the cash to start all over again. I will however try to keep my 24 gal nano going.

 

[SoupySteve]

Hey all - I am at a buddy's house right now in Republic - so I will give you an update. At 36hrs with no power and a tank temp of 70, i bought an 800w inverter an kept my car running my 250w heater - this kept the tank at 76 until wednesday - day 5. I got my hands on a generator - and was able to power my lights, skimmer, and heater... i've lost all of my red mushrooms, kenya coral, colts, pneapple coral, and green mushrooms - i also lost a sixline wrasse.
it's now day 7 - no power and the genrator i have is borrowed - and the folks i'm borrowing it from called and said they lost power - and may need it back if they don't get thier power back in the next 2-3 days...
JohnKelly - i may be giving you a call if i don't get power in the next 24 hrs

I was also wondering when I could start blaming George Bush for this :frustratedreefer:

wish me luck y'all!

 

[AqCons]

We lost power Sunday morning and just got it back on this afternoon. I had a generator running but on the coldest night we lost the generator. There has been some water in the gas we (along with neighbors and friends) have bought. That water freezes in the carburetor and stops the generator. The second generator we put on did it too but not as bad. The night we were without power we lost xenia, purple flowerpot, brittle starfish, orange zoos and a colt. But we had a lot survive.

My dentist has a fish only tank. She was without since Friday and on Monday I met her at her office and pulled out her large blue tang, 2 breeding perculas, banggai, and lemonpeel. I couldn't find her orchid dottyback. The water was 40 degrees and most of the fish were lying on the bottom of the tank barely breathing. I ran them home, put a heater and airstone in the bucket and they were good. They are now back in their regular home all doing well and eating. They even went through the one night we were without power.

My father (staying with me) and friend in Springfield are still without power. My friend has a freshwater tank and is doing water changes several times a day with warm water. So far all is well over there.

I feel for those of you who have lost fish and corals. Soupy...hope you get power back soon.

 

[Medicine Man]

I think you can fire up the icecap ballast if you plug them into a surge protector/power stablizer. I would anyway just incase the generator runs out of gas which could cause a power surge. Sounds weird but I read that in my owners manual for my generator. Worth a try though.