californias power?????

[playtime]

Well, I am from California and as most of you know we currently have a power problem and they are forseeing power outages this summer. I am extremely worried about my tanks. What precausions can I take? I can't afford a generator so what else can I do. How long will everyone be alright without lights,heater, and filters?
Playtime

 

[saltwater marauder]

My concern is that after a couple of hours with water in your canister (if you are running one) can become toxic and upon power return can pollute the tank. There are products like little battery powered back up generators that will run your filters and such for a couple of hours. In an emergency , for heat, you can float hot water bottles in the tank or frozen water bottles if it gets too hot. If the outage is only for an hour or so you should be fine. Drastic temp changes can stress a fish out so thats what I would watch closest. I believe Pufferlover has used the little battery op. generators and said they work well. I have UPS's that I picked up for dirt cheap but am concerned about output voltage and amps, that it might fry my equip so I have been reluctant to use them. Hope this helps a little.

 

[kappadoku]

I would suggest going to your local computer hardware store, and investing in a UPS (Uninteruptable Power Supply). If it can run my computer and monitor for 3 hours, it can run your pumps and filters for hours too. FIsh can live without light, so dont plug your lights into it, or it will drain fast.
Look into it!

 

[salttrigger]

The only thing that you should worry its about oxygen so just get a air pump battery operated and your tank will be fine.thats what a use and they cost only $8 to $10 better than a $200 ups that only runs for like 45 minutes.
[ May 18, 2001: Message edited by: SALTTRIGGER ]
[ May 18, 2001: Message edited by: SALTTRIGGER ]

 

[rickt4du]

A voltage inverter connected to a car battery will run your pumps for days and days. I use one connected to the lawn mower battery. 48 hrs!

 

[paulytee]

Also watch the classified ads for used generators. I picked up a 5hp gen. for 75 dollars from the local ads. If you can't find a used one then I would go with the car battery adapter idea. Just keep asking/posting questions and you'll get through the CA crisis!
ps-its 97 degrees today in San Jose and Im just waiting for a blackout!