Loss of Power Question
- Thread starter jdk504
- Start date
commandertekki
Premium Member
gas driven power generator.
electric130
Active member
even a battery powered airpump with an air stone would be better than nothing. if this is a one time thing, a generator isn't needed (good to have for emergencies though, i have one). the main thing is to circulate water for oxygenation. if it's only off during that time period, some moderate circulation should be enough. if it's going to be longer, i'd do something for heat too. lighting isn't a issue. i lost power for 5 days during an ice storm and never turned my lights on once. just kept the tank circulating with powerheads and kept the temp above 75 and didn't loose a single thing. all corals and fish lived.
It just depends! Are you willing to chance it. I am with Electric 130. AT LEAST get the battery backup airpump. Some of these even work and kick on when the power goes out. You need some gas exchange. Once things start dying your tank goes down hill FAST!! I have a back up generator. YOu can get a used one fairly cheap and its good insurance. If you do a search there are LOTS or people who have lost everything (me included)
It just depends! Are you willing to chance it. I am with Electric 130. AT LEAST get the battery backup airpump. Some of these even work and kick on when the power goes out. You need some gas exchange. Once things start dying your tank goes down hill FAST!! I have a back up generator. YOu can get a used one fairly cheap and its good insurance. If you do a search there are LOTS or people who have lost everything (me included)
AZDesertRat
In Memoriam
I would say no. I had a GFCI trip a few weeks ago for 6.5 hours and lost a Six Line Wrasse and all the other fish were laying on the bottom gasping. My corals are still slowly recovering but it does not appear I lost any.
electric130
Active member
lack of oxygen. you can easily set up a circuit to turn on a battery air pump automatically when power is lost. just need a relay.
AZDesertRat
In Memoriam
I now have some of the battery powered pumps that come on automatically when the power goes off! I had some plain battery pumps and even a 3500w generator but was not home at the time and both my wife and son don't pay any attention to the tanks anymore.
Thank you everyone who responded quickly. You guys pretty much
proved what I was thinking in the first place. What about heat though? Should I have the tank running at a higher temp when the power goes out or is there alternative resources beside electricity? I haven't seen any battery powered heaters, am I mistaken?
proved what I was thinking in the first place. What about heat though? Should I have the tank running at a higher temp when the power goes out or is there alternative resources beside electricity? I haven't seen any battery powered heaters, am I mistaken?
BigBadBlenny
Member
you can get a battery powered air pump in the fishing section of a sporting store. i cut 1" Styrafoam Insulation to fit each side of my tank and the top. if the power goes out i just duct tape them up and it helps keep the heat in. you can try blankets
commandertekki
Premium Member
The only reason I have a gas driven generator is because of the size of my tank and the amount of corals that I have in the tank.
