Are you prepared for a fish tank emergency?

[trevorhiller]

Curious what all you experienced reefers keep on hand for a fish tank emergency.

Examples: Heater goes out, tank springs a leak, etc.

Some things I have thought of that would be handy:

1. Clean/unused rubbermade tote to store fish in if something goes wrong.
2. Spare Heater
3. Spare circulation pump/ battery air pump
4. Mixed salt water on hand at all times.
5. Some sort of leak/patch to seal a leaking tank
6. Fish disease medications?

What's in your fish tank "emergency kit."

 

[TastyScrants]

Money for beer so I can sob if it’s all gone!

 

[trevorhiller]

^best answer lol

 

[gbroadbridge]

Curious what all you experienced reefers keep on hand for a fish tank emergency.

Examples: Heater goes out, tank springs a leak, etc.

Some things I have thought of that would be handy:

1. Clean/unused rubbermade tote to store fish in if something goes wrong.
2. Spare Heater
3. Spare circulation pump/ battery air pump
4. Mixed salt water on hand at all times.
5. Some sort of leak/patch to seal a leaking tank
6. Fish disease medications?

What's in your fish tank "emergency kit."

Vodka - not for carbon dosing - for me in an emergency.
Vinegar doesn't cut it.

 

[Jbell370]

I have 100g saltwater on tap always, sometimes more if I have not mixed my fresh yet. Spare Cor 20, spare heater controller w/2x finnex 500w heaters, spare wet sides and dry sides for my MP units, couple AI lights hanging around if needed. 6 months worth of GFO, carbon, filter socks, various foods and several buckets of salt. Other than a physical glass tank I’m set. I do have a couple 50g storage totes, but I know the owner of my LFS so tank or tanks are accessible. GF thinks I finished off the laundry room as she wished, it was really so I had more cupboards to store all my stuff.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Tried Leak patch (Flex Tape) - waste of money

heater
return pump
Power heads
Food
Medication
Generator
Plumbing PVC
PVC glue
Silicone
Test refills
salt
buckets
chemicals

 

[Karen00]

I have rubber maid tubs and extra of all equipment. What I don't always have "at the ready" is spare saltwater ready to go so hopefully the emergency allows me to use water out of my tank if needed (as opposed to the tank water being contaminated and is unusable).

 

[trevorhiller]

Glad this thread is being revived. I was kind of bummed by the lack of engagement before, but I think it’s helpful when planning for either disasters others have experienced or commonly plan for. Keep ‘em coming!

 

[Karen00]

One thing I still have to do is get a backup power system if there are power outages and probably a small chiller if my AC goes out in summer and temps get to dangerous levels. I am totally unprepared for that type of tank emergency. :-S And probably make more saltwater.

 

[trevorhiller]

I try to keep fresh RODI and Saltwater mixed up. I have a spare heater, some Purigen,salt reserves (due to recent TM Pro issues I had concerns about being able to obtain a few months worth), clean tote box for an emergency “tank”, flex tape and silicone for leaks, water absorbing pads, towels, etc.

A huge leak is my biggest concern, so I try to do everything in my power to prevent it.

In todays world, the biggest perceivable threat seems to be the availability of supplies (especially since I don’t have a LFS close) so I try to keep at least a months worth ahead on testing supplies, food, disposables.

 

[Karen00]

I try to keep fresh RODI and Saltwater mixed up. I have a spare heater, some Purigen,salt reserves (due to recent TM Pro issues I had concerns about being able to obtain a few months worth), clean tote box for an emergency “tank”, flex tape and silicone for leaks, water absorbing pads, towels, etc.

A huge leak is my biggest concern, so I try to do everything in my power to prevent it.

In todays world, the biggest perceivable threat seems to be the availability of supplies (especially since I don’t have a LFS close) so I try to keep at least a months worth ahead on testing supplies, food, disposables.

That's a good point... Keeping extra supplies given the supply chain issues. Also buying the stuff today to stock up will probably spare us the price hikes that seem to be coming weekly now.

 

[Tankkeepers]

I keep an entire second tank setup pumps lights tank everything dry just in case

Aka I'm paranoid lol

 

[gbroadbridge]

I keep an entire second tank setup pumps lights tank everything dry just in case

Aka I'm paranoid lol

If I did that, the second tank would end up filled with fish and coral in no time ...

 

[Sean Clark]

I have extra pumps and stuff but I generally just hope for the best.

I think most people think that something is an "emergency" when really that translates to "I was not prepared for an inevitable foreseeable event".

Kind of like needing new tires for your vehicle because the tread wore out. They don't just all of the sudden need that type of replacement. This is not an emergency; it is something you plan for.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Tried Leak patch (Flex Tape) - waste of money

heater
return pump
Power heads
Food
Medication
Generator
Plumbing PVC
PVC glue
Silicone
Test refills
salt
buckets
chemicals

This but no generator. I have a few battery powered fans and air pumps to keep things going just in case. Also I spare tanks, bags, styrofoam boxes in case of a blow out or rehoming situation. Extra rock, bleach and bacteria as well. Mixing station is clutch if you ever need water on the fly.

 

[Billldg]

I pretty much have everything @vetteguy53081 has, plus several 20-40g tanks to move the fish to. I also have 1 40b if I need to move the corals to, as it has never been used with copper. It gets harder to have the stuff as the tanks get bigger.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

It gets harder to have the stuff as the tanks get bigger.

I agree and the hoarding becomes an issue…… I’m blessed the wife never goes in the shed.

 

[Duncan62]

Tried Leak patch (Flex Tape) - waste of money

heater
return pump
Power heads
Food
Medication
Generator
Plumbing PVC
PVC glue
Silicone
Test refills
salt
buckets
chemicals

I'm beginning to feel terribly unprepared. Lol. I need to dig thru my old stuff and get it checked out.

 

[Tankkeepers]

If I did that, the second tank would end up filled with fish and coral in no time ...

Lol I have this thing that won't let me fill it (wife)

But she is letting me buy an entire apex system with trident

I have 2500 I'm alowed to spend lol

Figure that one out I'm not complain tho I love my 32 biocube and my wife

I'm also not alowed to take tho hood off the tank

Now just gotta figure out how to hide the apex as she does not want to look at it lol

She does like the tank tho

She'd like it more if it was sea horses tho so I may talk her into a special tank for them cuz you know they can't live in my reef gotta have a separate tank with macros hehe

 

[Sean Clark]

Lol I have this thing that won't let me fill it (wife)

But she is letting me buy an entire apex system with trident

I have 2500 I'm alowed to spend lol

Figure that one out I'm not complain tho I love my 32 biocube and my wife

I'm also not alowed to take tho hood off the tank

Now just gotta figure out how to hide the apex as she does not wa t to look at it lol

You should hide it underneath your new larger tank next to the new sump Remember you are doing this for her.