How long can tank last without power?

[ScottandAlisa]

My home in eastern NC got a direct hit from hurricane Florence and since leaving Tuesday we have no clue how our tank is doing... We know from neighbors who decided not to evacuate that power went out at 1 am Friday morning. No idea when we’ll be able to go back as many trees and power lines are blocking roadways and major flooding in some areas... So how long does a tank generally last without power??

 

[ScottandAlisa]

Btw my tank is a 40B and inhabitants are:
Tailspot blenny
Peppermint shrimp
Cleaner shrimp
3 trochus snails
1 conch
3 nassarius snails
4 hermit crabs

Corals:
GSP
duncan
Green mushroom
2 hammers
frogspawn
Zoas

 

[Muttley000]

so sorry to hear, I would guess you are in the critical zone by now with no flow. I can't imagine the anxiety of not only not being to check on the tank, but everything. My thoughts are with you

 

[ndrwater]

Sorry to hear about your situation. Just be thankful that you and your family are safe and out of harm way.
Unless things like a power head or return pump are running, I would say within 24 hours things will start to go south. Depending on temp, maybe sooner than that.
I have my fingers crossed for you that your tank, and more importantly your home are okay when you return.

 

[KrisReef]

Btw my tank is a 40B and inhabitants are:
Tailspot blenny
Peppermint shrimp
Cleaner shrimp
3 trochus snails
1 conch
3 nassarius snails
4 hermit crabs

Corals:
GSP
duncan
Green mushroom
2 hammers
frogspawn
Zoas

Depends on a lot, but if the ambient tenperature is lower than 84F and if you have had a good aquarium maintenance practice then if the house is ok I wouldn’t be at all surprized if the tank is still ok. Stressed for sure, but life is amazingly persistent and resilient. Hoping and praying that the power and your living space is quickly restored.

 

[Alexx17]

My home in eastern NC got a direct hit from hurricane Florence and since leaving Tuesday we have no clue how our tank is doing... We know from neighbors who decided not to evacuate that power went out at 1 am Friday morning. No idea when we’ll be able to go back as many trees and power lines are blocking roadways and major flooding in some areas... So how long does a tank generally last without power??

I was in the same boat bro. I decided to bring my fish in a cooler 6 hr drive and it’s been 5 days now and only my blenny has died, he didn’t look to good before that thou. And I didnt have any coral. Hope the tank makes it.

 

[ScottandAlisa]

Thank you all for the kind words. I regret not prepping the tank before the hurricane hit but there were other things to prioritize. Hopefully power gets restored soon and everything has a fighting chance.

 

[ScottandAlisa]

I was in the same boat bro. I decided to bring my fish in a cooler 6 hr drive and it’s been 5 days now and only my blenny has died, he didn’t look to good before that thou. And I didnt have any coral. Hope the tank makes it.

Good idea. I hope all your other fish make it and your home faired well in the storm.

 

[vetteguy53081]

It is likely non-supportive of the specimens you made mention of but keep strongly in mind that you and the family safely vacated and can discuss a makeover and a new direction with aquarium.
No matter what you would have done whether it be emergency power generator or battery, those resources regardless would have been exhausted. Me personally, I would have worried about my refrigerator loss of food and all appliances over my 3 tanks as I can find excitement in redoing the tank versus the other items.
Hope all works out upon your return.

 

[Reefltx]

My home in eastern NC got a direct hit from hurricane Florence and since leaving Tuesday we have no clue how our tank is doing... We know from neighbors who decided not to evacuate that power went out at 1 am Friday morning. No idea when we’ll be able to go back as many trees and power lines are blocking roadways and major flooding in some areas... So how long does a tank generally last without power??

Hate to bring bad news but your fish is a goner for sure. I’m not sure about everything else.

I lost power for 12hrs, lost 4 out of 12 fish. I had a battery backup running for one mp10 but that wasn’t enough for my size tank it seems.

 

[TheHarold]

Hate to bring bad news but your fish is a goner for sure. I’m not sure about everything else.

I lost power for 12hrs, lost 4 out of 12 fish. I had a battery backup running for one mp10 but that wasn’t enough for my size tank it seems.

12 hours and lost everything? Odd, given that fish are regularly shipped in a much smaller volume of water for 24-36 hours. Ive gone 3 days just by stirring the tank every ~5 hours.

 

[Dana Riddle]

My reef tank went 36 hours without power. There were some corals lost (not all) and all fishes survived. This was last December when Atlanta was hit by a snow storm that dropped 13" of snow. The tank temperature dropped into the low 60's.

 

[Firemanreefkeeper]

60 hours, maybe longer, after Irma last year and nothing died. Had 2 clowns, damsel, royal gramma, wrasse, crabs, snails, 3 small zoes, 2 acans, frog spawn, and gsp. I think being boarded up which made the house dark helped out.
I know exactly what you are going through and I feel for you. I hope everything is ok when you get back home.

 

[lapin]

If you tank was not over stocked (90% are) and the temp did not get too high you have hope for the live stock. If your house did not take on too much water your tank should be right where you left it .
Wish you the best

 

[Reefltx]

12 hours and lost everything? Odd, given that fish are regularly shipped in a much smaller volume of water for 24-36 hours. Ive gone 3 days just by stirring the tank every ~5 hours.

I lost all my anthias but the bigger guys like my wrasse, clown fish, and a purple tang made it.

 

[Fumanchu]

I lost everything in 7 hrs . All my anthias, cromis,flame angel,blennies,...
SMH I KNOW YOUR PAIN . Only my big tangs made it . It depressed me and I kinda let the tank go and really neglected it after .. dont be me hang in there ,replace the fish as soon as you can and know it happens to the best of us

 

[Henry1953]

I lost everything in my 50 gallon tank when Katrina left us without power and with temps in the 90’s for 10 days. I got out of the hobby for several years but now have a beautiful RedSea 250 and a whole house generator for next time. I am sorry for your loss. You may have to start over as I did. At least you are safe.

 

[MnFish1]

It depends I think on:

1. Stocking. (fish and corals and algae)
2. Temperature
3. The size of the tank
4. The shape of the tank (tall vs long and short)
5. The length of time the power is off (Obviously most important)
6. The amount of flow in your system (i.e. the more flow you have with power, the more likely there is to be problems when its gone).

We had a 6 hour power failure (unexpected) overnight due to damage to a transformer. Lasted 6 hours. Within a week a everything except a couple mushrooms and some GSP were dead. I think this is because something died - which caused a chain reaction - after the power was out (perhaps an anemone).

Also - Fish live in sealed shipping bags because thats all thats in with them (no rock, sand, etc etc)- and the bag is sealed. As the pH drops, ammonia becomes less toxic. This doesnt happen in an open tank to anywhere the same degree.

BTW - I wish you well with your tank

 

[Burrito]

It depends I think on:

1. Stocking. (fish and corals and algae)
2. Temperature
3. The size of the tank
4. The shape of the tank (tall vs long and short)
5. The length of time the power is off (Obviously most important)
6. The amount of flow in your system (i.e. the more flow you have with power, the more likely there is to be problems when its gone).

We had a 6 hour power failure (unexpected) overnight due to damage to a transformer. Lasted 6 hours. Within a week a everything except a couple mushrooms and some GSP were dead. I think this is because something died - which caused a chain reaction - after the power was out (perhaps an anemone).

Also - Fish live in sealed shipping bags because thats all thats in with them (no rock, sand, etc etc)- and the bag is sealed. As the pH drops, ammonia becomes less toxic. This doesnt happen in an open tank to anywhere the same degree.

BTW - I wish you well with your tank

curious about number 4, why would it matter? not challenging but first i've heard and like to learn.

OP, sorry man, glad your family is safe, hope the tank fairs well

 

[Brautumn]

Thank you all for the kind words. I regret not prepping the tank before the hurricane hit but there were other things to prioritize. Hopefully power gets restored soon and everything has a fighting chance.

What area do you live in? We are in New Bern and we got power last night in our subdivision late last night. They have about 75% of the power back on in our area. Other areas are still under water.