Worried About Power Outage

[howardj]

I have a 12 gallon nano and am worried about losing power.
I have heard anywhere from 14-20" of snow tonight.
I don't have a generator or battery backup; and I don't want to go anywhere because the closest place I can get something (maybe?) is an hour away and the roads are already turning into ice.
Please Help!!

 

[mie]

Wrap the tank in a warn thick blanket/sleeping bag.
Mix up some fresh saltwater so you have in case of any die off.

 

[howardj]

Thanks mie,
I'll go start mixing now.

 

[reefkprz]

insulate your tank as mentioned above (in preparation for this stom I put 3/4 inch pinkfoam board on the backs of my tanks I have precut panels ready incase I lose power to wrap my entire tank) I also have a cordless drill and a plastic paint mixing paddle for it to use to create turnover (oxegenate) I'm worried too we are supposed to get hit with this storm on sunday. I dont know how close to getting hit you are or how out of $$$ you are.

 

[howardj]

If I lose everything I'm out about $300..
is there any other ways I can get flow in the water?
I don't have a cordless drill, or anything.

 

[mie]

You can do it yourself with a spatula or a rubber scraper. do it for about ten to fifteen minutes every hour or so.

 

[howardj]

Thank you so much!
That's exactly what I wanted to hear, but wasn't sure if you could or not.

 

[miaheatlvr]

They make this AERATOR from the 2 doctors,, get one for the future,, its called a hurricane 5,, its rechargeable and you can turn it on "alternate" it will turn on for a minute then off for a minute,, for like 14hrs.. Saved me a few times during power outages here,, to at least get some movement and aeration in the water..

 

[reefkprz]

Originally Posted by HowardJ
If I lose everything I'm out about $300..
is there any other ways I can get flow in the water?
I don't have a cordless drill, or anything.
I wasnt asking how much you would lose I was asking if you had rescourses to spend before the storm hit. losing anything isnt really something I ever put a tag on. if you have a couple bucks a back up battery powered aerator isnt a bad thing. hand aeration is always an option. power drill even one of those cheapo "self fan" units with the foam propellers that run on "aa" batterys will move water... and provide oxygenation.

 

[mie]

Auto parts store and buy a deep cycle battery about 70 bucks.
Go to sporting goods store and buy one of those camping ac to dc conversion packs.
You hook up the conversion pack to the battery and then you can plug your equipment into the pack. (I suggest the heater and one pump). With a deep cycle battery you should get 24 to 48 hours out of it and it is rechargable.

 

[howardj]

I officially cannot leave now. We went to get my brother's girlfriend that slid off..
what isn't drifts is ice.
I'm stuck w/ hand aeration.
Power went out a few times here, not long, however.
thanks Miami, I'll have to look into that

 

[al mc]

Good luck with the snow/ice/power.
Another option for a cheap battery aerator is Cabellas or other 'fishing supply' type store/online retailer. They have battery operated aerators for fisherman for about $20. I have used them twice and they work well.
I have not tried but have heard of people who have put one of the chemical hand warmers in a SEALED tupperware container and floated it in the tank to help keep it warm.

 

[sepulatian]

There are battery opperated air pumps. It is not the same as a powerhead, but one time I had to use one when the power was out for several hours. I put a bar stone (long bubble stone) on it and rotated it between tanks. I didn't lose anything.

 

[howardj]

I thought air stones raised pH, a lot (?)

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by HowardJ
I thought air stones raised pH, a lot (?)
If you use airstones in your tank all of the time with no other water flow then the ph will drop from lack of oxygen.

 

[waterlogged]

Should he raise his temp. in preparation of not having a heater?

 

[howardj]

I think the snow is done. We didn't lose power.. school is canceled tomorrow, woot woot!
Thanks for your help, everyone!
Now I'll know what to do in the future

 

[buckster71]

ICE is a ton worse than snow. That is because ice knocks down trees onto powerlines and overloads transformers...much like hurricanes. I would figure that you are in more of an ice storm area, so backup components everybody should have in the closet.
I used to live in Upper Michigan with my share of 12+" storms. I don't remember a lot of blizzard power outages. However, here in Florida you have to prepare for the prepetual 10 days without power, which was all to common at my house!
I guess just a reminder to all that you need to have a backup plan.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Umm, if your tank gets too cold, you can always boil some water with a natural gas stove, and dip the pot in the tank until the temp raises. You could put really really hot water in water bottles and put it into the aquarium as well.
Insulation is a must. I also have a few battary backup air pumps that help create airation as well as a little water movement. It works.

 

[swalchemist]

Good news! TUNZE just released an emergency battery backup switch for there controlled pumps and it is cheaper than I thought it would be for what it does. It switches on in the event of a power failure automatically. You hook the units to a 12 volt DC source (marine battery etc). I plan to get one ASAP and put this worry far behind me once and for all.