The last two days! What can I do?

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Mount_Prion

Mount_Prion

Piranha
MFK Member
Jan 31, 2012
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I'm sure this isn't the only Sandy-related thread.

My power was knocked out two days ago by the hurricane. I live on the 18th floor of a building on Manhattan's lower east side. Thankfully my LFS, Pacific Aquarium, was able to help me prepare. I bought 3 battery-powered bubblers from them and set them up on my biggest tanks, T-ing one off to split a little air into a smaller tank.

Yesterday I became concerned about the dropping temperatures in my apartment, so I spent most of the day organizing supplies and bucketing 3 sets of my favorite aquatic animals to "air lift" to an area with electricity. I had to leave behind 90% of my stock, including my beloved puffer Punch, who there was really no way to practically move. I'm now at my dad's place uptown, and my fish collection has been more or less reduced to this:

(insert image here that this BS internet is too slow to upload. it's like 3 plastic tubs and some wiring and tubing on a table.)

So what can I do to potentially save my fish at home?

POWER MIGHT BE OUT FOR AN ADDITIONAL FEW DAYS. Anybody know somebody in charge of planning at ConEd I can stab in the eye?

I'm going to be stopping by to change the batteries on the bubblers and check on my cats/stock, but I'm wondering if anybody has any idea how I might get some heat back in those tanks. I'm debating buying a gas generator, but I kind of assume I won't be able to haul one up 18 flights of stairs. It was enough making 5 trips up and down with tubs of water.

I'm happy that my frontosa, turtle, and the rays I just got from Rapps are safe. But can I do anything for the rest?

I can't stop thinking about my poor puffer.
 
although it is hard to help without the pic. Your best bet is to try and wrap as many towels around the tubs as possible as ghetto insulation. You could also search for the warmest part in your house. When you do water changes slowly go from luke warm water all the way up to rather hot it will give you a nice warm water and with the towels wrapped around sustain that for some time. Make sure to do the water changes slow just dumping hot water in would most likely kill the fish. How drastic is the temperature in Ney York right now?
 
karaig19 said:
although it is hard to help without the pic. Your best bet is to try and wrap as many towels around the tubs as possible as ghetto insulation. You could also search for the warmest part in your house. When you do water changes slowly go from luke warm water all the way up to rather hot it will give you a nice warm water and with the towels wrapped around sustain that for some time. Make sure to do the water changes slow just dumping hot water in would most likely kill the fish. How drastic is the temperature in Ney York right now?
Click to expand...

The tubs are fine actually, those are the fish I've saved.

Worrying about my tanks back at home where the temp is dropping and there's no electricity. Think there's a generator I could actually get up stairs?
 
definently try the generator,knowing New York and what a huge city it is they should be up and running in no time. I wish you luck, I feel for ya.
 
Buy the portable generators. Its handy

Im at queens and luckily i didnt lose power but anyways in the future i know i should keep a bunch if sponge filters along with battery operated airpumps

Also starving the fish & water change prior to the storm is very important too so it dont poop n foul ur water


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
ben tape styro to the sides of the tanks. when you do water change use warmer water to bring temp up. in jersey its about 60 fish can survive a few days at lower temps. good luck and i hope for the best.
Jay
 
I lost power for 23 hours. My tank temps dropped below 60 degrees - I only lost one fish. It was a small paraneetroplus fry that I just got from Rapps - I got an order last Thursday too. I posted your same question on a couple forums and got a few ideas:
1. Remove a couple gallons from tank & replace with heated water from stove - wasn't an option for me. I have an electric range.
2. If you can heat water, fill a soda bottle with hot water & put in the tank

Good Luck!
 
I forgot - use a cup or pitcher to scoop water and splash back into the tank to aerate the water. Go for about 5 minutes every hour or two depending on stock level.
 
Thanks for the responses guys. I'm not sure if my stove is working, not sure if it'd be dangerous to try. Maybe I'll give it a shot and hope I don't blow my face off. Figure I might have to use a lighter to spark it. It'll be just like when I lived in Delhi for a few months!

So far every hardware store I've called is sold out on generators, no surprise. I'm gonna head down there in a bit and check it out.

I'm not 100% sure if I'm in the group that gets power in 2-4 days or 10+ days. If it's 10+ I guess I should just give up.
 
Mount_Prion said:
Thanks for the responses guys. I'm not sure if my stove is working, not sure if it'd be dangerous to try. Maybe I'll give it a shot and hope I don't blow my face off. Figure I might have to use a lighter to spark it. It'll be just like when I lived in Delhi for a few months!

So far every hardware store I've called is sold out on generators, no surprise. I'm gonna head down there in a bit and check it out.

I'm not 100% sure if I'm in the group that gets power in 2-4 days or 10+ days. If it's 10+ I guess I should just give up.
Click to expand...

Never give up Bro! Low temps aren't going to kill the fish unless they drop below 55ish, the key here is keeping the bb alive and making sure your params don't get too crazy, if the tap is the same temp as your tank is do 25% wc every few days, pothos would greatly help consume nitrate. Also if you can find a hot water source bring a 5 gallon bucket fill it up, put a lid on it and jet back your place. With agitation and temps above 55 you may make it! also don't feed much, maybe every 2-4 days, they won't die from that!

Good luck man, and great job on doing everything possible for your pets!

:thumbup:

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http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?504763-Cheap-plants-less-nitrate!-POTHOS

*Go S. Vettel #1 rb8--3 MORE RACES LEFT! LET'S MAKE IT 5 BACK TO BACK WINS & 3 WDC!* :beer:
 
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