Measures in Case of an Emergency

[jjohnwm]

What would yall do if there’s a power outage, and the pump stop working, so there’s no oxygen in the tank? I have always wondered what to do in that situation, but never thought of a working solution…

Well, I'd just sit next to the tank and wonder when the power was coming back on...but my tanks are so uncrowded that the fish will be just fine without added aeration. There's never "no oxygen" in the tank; oxygen is easily dissolved in water and is constantly entering at the water surface. It's only a problem if you have too many fish, especially if they are species that come from fast-moving, highly-oxygenated waters and thus need a lot of oxygen. If you have too many fish using too much of the available oxygen...then, yes, you need to address it.

But if you need it, aeration can be provided with a battery-powered air pump, available cheaply at fishing tackle stores for use with minnow pails. For that matter, periodically scooping up cupfuls of water and pouring them back into the tank from a height of a foot or two will provide a boost in aeration if needed.

 

[phreeflow]

What would yall do if there’s a power outage, and the pump stop working, so there’s no oxygen in the tank? I have always wondered what to do in that situation, but never thought of a working solution…

See my post above (post #5)…that’s what works for me during outages

 

[Jexnell]

A cleaned bathtub can make an emergency tank if needed.

 

[duanes]

Heaters are some of the most unreliable pieces of equipment we have to deal with.
Some fail in the off position, so when I lived in a cold climate, my tropical tanks always had styrofoam taped onto 3 sides and the bottom to prevent/slow heat loss during power outages, and just in case, I would also keep a panel of styrofoam cut to fit that could be taped to the front when needed

The other way heaters fail, is in the "On" position where they can easily cook fish.
So I always used at least 2 undersize heaters for each tank. In that way, if one failed in the "on" position, the thermostat on the other would cycle off, and being undersized, the one that failed "on", couldn't easily over heat the tank.
But as a general rule, I would replace heaters once per year.

And as jjohnwm does, I keep a couple battery operating air pumps around in case of power outages.


The one above works on 2 D batteries, but can also be plugged into car jack, or used with a car battery for extended outages.