Fish evacuation due to fire

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flaringshutter

flaringshutter

Feeder Fish
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Mar 8, 2007
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With all the wildfires burning here in California, I got to thinking about how I would evacuate my fish. We're not in any danger where I am, far from it right now, but I think at some point in my life, it's possible that I might have to evacuate, and I wouldn't want to leave my fish behind.

I decided to ask you all here at MFK because the fish in my 60 gallon are over 12 inches, and you all have similarly sized or larger fish. Do you have a fire evacuation plan? How would you do it? I don't mean if you had to ditch the house and run, but if you had some time to pack your things and pets.

My idea is big Rubbermaid storage bins. They have lids, will hold large enough amounts of water, and are easy to carry even when full of junk (or water). I could run a filter off of our generator if we had to.

What do you all think?

(By the way, it's good to be back! it's been a long while since I've been around here. )
 
flaringshutter;1222405; said:
With all the wildfires burning here in California, I got to thinking about how I would evacuate my fish. We're not in any danger where I am, far from it right now, but I think at some point in my life, it's possible that I might have to evacuate, and I wouldn't want to leave my fish behind.

I decided to ask you all here at MFK because the fish in my 60 gallon are over 12 inches, and you all have similarly sized or larger fish. Do you have a fire evacuation plan? How would you do it? I don't mean if you had to ditch the house and run, but if you had some time to pack your things and pets.

My idea is big Rubbermaid storage bins. They have lids, will hold large enough amounts of water, and are easy to carry even when full of junk (or water). I could run a filter off of our generator if we had to.

What do you all think?

(By the way, it's good to be back! it's been a long while since I've been around here. )
Click to expand...

haha! the light in la is strangely orange or yellow. i can smell the smoke. the temperature is very hot. you only have a 60 gallons tank and one 12" fish. just image what some of these guys would have to do to evacuate with their fishes! wolf has 15 tanks! and wolves!
 
no no no, I have two 12 in goldfish, two 8 in goldfish, and one 6 in. I also have 10 golfball-sized apple snails. Plus the halfmoon betta pair in my 5 gallon.

I can imagine it would be a big hassle to evacuate all the fish most members here have. But I know many of you have a couple large favorite fish that you would evacuate first. I think it's a good idea to come up with an emergency plan, just in case at some point I need to evacuate.
 
I have no idea, but there is an active Thread going on ( about fires in San Diego ) and Mei Ling has explained, in detail, how she went through fires ( avoiding the evacuation ) and protected the tanks and fish. Should look into that option...
 
i'd use a large picnic cooler,and a air pump+ car battery......
 
I live in hurricane country. If I was ordered to evacuate, I don't think I'd bring my fish with me. I'd leave everything running, and come back as soon as possible to check on survivors. a few years ago, I lost power for 5 days after a hurricane. my fish were fine, just did daily waterchanges.

at least in my case, the fish are easier to replace than the equipment. homeowners/renters insurance should cover the replacement of everything anyway.

imagine taking a few hours to load up your fish and then finding out your evacuation route has been cut off because the wind changed directions...
 
Well, the fastest way to get them out quick is to sympon down the water level low, and then remove all rocks and decoration.. then cut a piece of "eggcrate" to use as a gate.. Chase the fish to one side of the tank and then put the gate up. Leave only about a net's width. I emptied a 180 g pretty quick this way (although it was just a move not an evacuation)..

Seriously though, I think I'd be loading up my car with food and other survival stuff before filling it up with rubbermaid containers of fish. Think about it, it would be tough lugging those fish around in a real crisis. I actually wouldn't have room for all mine unless I left a few kids behind..
 
I have a fire extinguisher and a fire hose just outside my apartment door, so I am well prepared to stand my ground encase of fire :D
 
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