Lets talk disaster recovery including spare parts & supplies. How prepared are you??

[Da Maui life]

My first concern is power failures that are extensive. Solution is a whole house generator (yes that is expensive, but I have multiple tanks, a pond, and four refrigerators). Second line of defense (with no generator) are battery operated air pumps. My second concern would be pump failure so I have an spare that would work on any aquarium (all sumps in the basement). 200 gallons of RO/DI water is last emergency provision.

Logically speaking, this is by far the most reasonable necessities, when you define the term, “Disaster Recovery” Geographics play a huge roll as well. Example for my location a tsunami is top of list. living 200 yard from the shoreline and an elevation of less than ten feet above sea level all the redundant back up parts in the world service no purpose in such aquaria disaster recovery plan. I do keep, a 6500W Yamaha and the necessary backup parts to repair, replace and sustain life under normal conditions or power outages . More or less a reef tool box.

 

[zoomonster]

I have a 200g and while I always have spare usable pumps, powerheads, heater, salt, bulbs etc my only two real concerns are electricity and cooling (maybe heat in the winter).

A major hurricane/tornado hit and its probably wiped anyway.

Surviving a major storm minimally or unscathed leaves the problem of no electricity and cooling. I'm still looking at a whole house generator but I do have a small portable that will minimally run my tank, frig and freezer. I have gotten through the hottest months here and don't need a chiller even with MH's. However if I were to make it through days to weeks with no electricity or my AC not working a chiller would be required even with no lights on. If my AC went out now it would quickly become a very humid 90+ indoors. So the solution is really two fold... I need a generator and also probably a chiller and would probably get a drop in one vs. one that needs to be plumbed with a pump.

 

[AcroporAddict]

Well, that's a good point ....

Up here in the wilds of CT the electrical grid was apparently installed by the Founding Fathers, so we have week-long outages with some frequency. No elderly parent, and my kids could do with a bit of 'roughing it', so I do end up worrying about my reef tank more than most.

I'm sure every area is different. Week long outages are a huge deal. I'd probably worry more too.

 

[slief]

Scott,

I know who I'm calling in case I have an emergency!

:beer:

 

[mgrmax]

Here's my list. A lot of the stuff is left over from upgrades

Whole house generator
Return pump
Skimmer
Extra LEDs (not the greatest but will do in a pinch)
Box o salt
Couple pounds carbon
Extra heaters
Air pump
Amquel, Prazipro and copper meds
Full time QT
Extra hose, PVC parts etc.
20 gallons RODI
Extra filter in sump for HOB in QT

After reading other posts, I realize I missing a few items. Great thread!