NH icestorm

[janastasio]

Hello All. I'm in NH where we just had the bad icestorm. Lost power for three days. We had a generator that we had not used yet. Lost power Friday 12am, husband was able to get generator up and running Friday afternoon. Had tank, pellet stove some lamps, ect hooked up to it. We dont have it hard wired to the house yet. We went out to dinner Friday night and turned the generator off until we got home. When we got home generator started, but would not put out any electricity. We looked over this thing for hours trying to see if we tripped a fuse, ect. Went without power Friday night. House dropped to the low 40's. Saturday morning my fish were all dead and most of my corals looked like they had all melted. We purchased another generator (by some miracle we found one when everyone was sold out!). Got the heat and tanks up and running again. Long weekend and very sad one! Most of my corals have actually pulled through, but I had one leather (my favorite), not sure what kind it is. Havent been ever able to find it on this site or any other. Similar to a toad stool but VERY large with ruffled edge and flower polyp extentions on it. This leather is completely deflated and sagging. The head does appear to be desintegrating. I am doing 5 gallon daily water changes to siphoning the parts of this coral that are falling off. Should I cut the head off and keep the base in hopes of regeneration or should I just be done with it and throw it out? Tried to post a pic but my internet wont let me right now. I will try again in a little bit. I have a satelite internet and we are expecting snow tonight, so that generally means bad connection!

 

[janastasio]

leather is the one just to the left of the middle of tank. Thanks!

 

[valgae]

cut away whatever dead tissue u can. if it gets worse frag it hopefully a piece will make it. so sorry to hear about your fish.

 

[janastasio]

Thanks, that is what I figured on doing, just thought someone may have had some experience with this type of leather. My GSP has yet to open. I'm thinking that is also a goner : (

 

[spyder78]

Sorry to hear about your loss.
As for the broken generator, you might have a repairman check the voltage regulator. I don't know much about running a generator for ice storms, but I do, however, know about running them for hurricanes.

When Gustav blew through here earlier this year, we had the same problem with our generator. Luckily, my father-in-law is an engine mechanic for offshore rigs and he knew exactly what to check. I think it may have cost like $20 or $40 for the part.

 

[janastasio]

Thanks! We purchased a bigger and better generator that we will have wired into the electrical box for the next one! The old generator is at a shop. Hopefully they will figure out what is wrong with it so that it can be fixed and sold! Ironically we met someone with the same generator and the same problem. Its a coleman 5500. Familiar with them?? We upgraded to a Generac 8000. Ran like a champ! At least we will be ready next time around. I have a feeling this will not be the first and only significant power outage this winter.

 

[egill]

Sorry for your losses. We too lost power for 3 days. No generator (went out to purchase one but everyone was sold out because of the ice storm we got) but did take our Clowns with us with a heater and power head. My tank is a mess with dead snails and about 40 dead brissel worms all over the sand. Guess this is the time to upgrade to a bigger tank and a generator!!

 

[janastasio]

Sorry for your tank losses as well. Its amazing how much you appreciate electric once you have lost it for several days. It is so hard when we have losses with our tanks. Everything in there is certainly replaceable, but the amount of time and the attachments you make to the inhabitants truly make the pieces and fish priceless. I feel like I am still grieving for my fish. I wont be able to get replacements with their personalities! Glad your clownfish are doing well. Do you have your power back again? I would definitely invest in a generator. Saves lots of hassles in many ways on your home, and your fish will thank you

! Good luck with your tank clean up. Start LOTS of water changes. You dont want your clowns going back into an amonia spiked tank.