List for emergencies?

coryherb

Member
For someone like myself just starting a SW tank. Can you list the stuff you religously keep around in case of emergencies.
thanks
 

coryherb

Member
:rolleyes:
the not so obvious stuff preferably.
I ask because I read a thread earlier today about a guy that was quarantining a fish and probably lost it because he didn't have some stuff that could of saved it. It was probably due to the fact he didn't have any kind of bio load for the tank. Display tank water only. I wouldn't have that problem because I am doing a ton of research and read about how to properly set up a quarantine. Also bought the marine aquarist which helps.
But it made me think of all the things that I don't know to stock. I am good at researching things I know about. It is the stuff I don't know about that could really hurt. And that is a lot of stuff.
 

thegrog

Active Member
Good for you on QT and researching things!!
For my QT tank, I have a HOT filter that uses the same size pads and sponge as my display. when my QT is setup, I transfer a sponge from my display to the QT filter and poof...instant biofilter. Not the best but it helps. So I would have extra filters around just in case.
Other things to have for emergencies:
Silicone (short term fix in case a tank leak)
Battery powered air pump for power outages (or 2 or 3 depending ont ank size)
Various meds for treatment (ich meds, antibiotics, etc)
methylene blue for FW dips
spare batteries for your pH meter (seem to go dead when you need it most......like for FW dips)
Polyfilters (in case something falls in or contaminates your tank)
Most importantly.....lots of buckets or rinsed rubbermaid containers. Enough to temporairly hold most of your tank inhabitants (fish, corals, inverts and rocks....in that order). In case of tank failure or disaster. Have them on hand and hope you never need them.
Hope this helps!!
 

jacknjill

Active Member
for the qt tank : ive got a 10 gallon tank of course, heater, penguin filter, and an air stone, and some pieces of liverock.
extras: extra RO water, buckets, heaters and powerhead, batterypowered air pump, meds, need to get some silicone, and just extra stuff basically. most of the stuff i have has duplicates in case one fails. excluding the skimmer and main filter
 

coryherb

Member
thanks guys. I didn't think of battery powered pumps and don't know what methylene blue is but will find out. I have already bought a 55 gallon barrel, two 35 tubs, and two buckets so should be okay there. I have filled the 55 and one of the tubs already for mixing saltwater. The RO/DI worked and have tds of 1 in the first one i filled and 0 in the second. Going to wait till the tank gets here to mix the saltwater. I think i would rather have ro/di water sitting here for the next month than saltwater.
I originally was going to have some LR delivered and stored in the tubs but the guy turned out to be a fraud. Took my money and others and hasn't returned calls or emails since. It was dark4p who visits here now and then. Will pursue that legally but that is another story.
 

squidd

Active Member
Actually, the salt and RO water supply is not that bad a suggestion...
A heated, areated, pH, and salinity adjusted "water change" can/will cover most any tank emergency...
From "something" dumped n the tank (dillution) to a sick fish out NOW (instant QT) to filling the rubbemaid tubs, to balancing out of wack levels, to most anything you run into...a "ready" supply of saltwater can cover a multitude of sin...
 

coryherb

Member
I didn't say it was a bad idea at all :). I was just hoping for stuff that I wouldn't think to stock. Like a few other posters posted. Like certain medications. I saw someones fish room in a thread and they had a little tool organizer filled with medications and stuff. I couldnt' read the labels. But that was the kind of thing I am looking for. If I have a problem..I can come here and you guys give great advice..but if it is late and I can't run to the fish store(which by the way..there is only one in town outside of the big chains) all the advice in the world won't help me. That would be frustrating. I have to order most stuff online.
 

golfish

Active Member
Lots of salt and lots of water. I always have 35 gals made up and ready to go. My tanks have been through a few earthquakes. When the Whitter Narrows quake hit in 1984 (I think that was the year) I had nothing, it was 7 am and I had a tank that was 2/3 full of water. If you don't have a gas generator I suggest that or a power converter for your car.
I like to have a few reef safe tubs on hand.
 
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