My building had a power outage, and now I have no power on my 125, 72, and 20 gallon tanks. I called the power company, and they are sending someone out asap, but said it could take up to 8 hours for someone to come. But they most likely wil be here within 2 hours. How long will the tank be ok before ammonia spikes, or fish run out of air? What should I do?
HELP!!!
- Thread starter Nemesis
- Start date
Battery operated air pumps! I think your lfs would have them. Go get some! Until then I would stir/disturb the water periodically to keep oxygen in it.
I can't help you on how long before ammonia builds up...I guess it depends on how stocked your tanks are. I'd worry more about keeping oxygen in the water.
Good luck.
I can't help you on how long before ammonia builds up...I guess it depends on how stocked your tanks are. I'd worry more about keeping oxygen in the water.
Good luck.
To oxygenate the water, just get a pitcher and fill it with the tank water and pour it back into the tank several times an hour. You need surface aggitation for oxygen exchange. Hell, you could do a WC if you can see and that would provide the need aggitation.
You also want to be careful with BB in your filters....they need oxygen too. If you are running a canister type filter, I would drain water and add some from your tank if the power outage goes longer than expected. If the BB die off inside your HOB or cannister filter and the power returns, it can become a toxic soup of sorts.
Don't worry about ammonia if the power is only down for 8hrs.
Good luck!
You also want to be careful with BB in your filters....they need oxygen too. If you are running a canister type filter, I would drain water and add some from your tank if the power outage goes longer than expected. If the BB die off inside your HOB or cannister filter and the power returns, it can become a toxic soup of sorts.
Don't worry about ammonia if the power is only down for 8hrs.
Good luck!
I would also look into getting a back up battery/power supply as Winter is coming.
You can do a search here on MFK on some clever DIY ideas or got to Fry's or any electronics retailer for a back up power supply used for home electronics.
You can do a search here on MFK on some clever DIY ideas or got to Fry's or any electronics retailer for a back up power supply used for home electronics.
Those air pumps used for fishing are great. They only cost about ten bucks and will keep running for days. They saved my fish through the Ike power outages that lasted days.
