Hurricane Milton is hitting us hard and my power has gone out. I do have some battery powered bubblers but can anyone advise how long I should keep them on? Continuously or every once in a while to conserve battery? If so how long can they go without the bubblers on.. very concerned about my fishes and corals and not knowing how long the power will be out. Thank you for your help!!
Hurricane help
- Thread starter nano reef
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kourtnee
Community Member
I can not answer your questions but want to say that i’m so sorry you are going through this, and i hope you, your family and your reef stay safe!!
hopefully all will be well when this passes. Thank you kourtnee
EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal
Just another girl who likes fish
The most important thing is water movement to enable gas exchange.
There are several ways to accomplish this - bubblers are one option. Another is to periodically remove some water with a large glass or pitcher and slowly pour it back in from as high as possible (I mean, not from the ceiling, but raise your arm high, lol).
Depending on the size of your tank, I'd try to do this 3-4 times twice an hour when the bubblers aren't on, and/or every hour or so if the air pumps are running.
Make sure the airstones are as deep as possible so as much of the space around them gets oxygenated. Watch your fish and if they seem to be gasping, increase your efforts.
The other issue that can be a problem is the temp. If you feel the tank temp is getting too hot, you can float some ice (in double baggies to prevent the melted use from getting into the tank).
I'm in Houston and have some water bottles filled with rodi in my freezer for this purpose.
Good luck and remember, your life is more important than the tank so if you need to leave, please do... Stay safe and keep us posted on the conditions.
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EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal
Just another girl who likes fish
*the corals should be fine with these methods too... the fish are the main concern.
Badblackdog
Community Member
If you have a UPS/battery for a computer it will run a single pump for hours. I wish you the best.
OP
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nano reef
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Thank you all so much for the advice! I have since added a frag tank that has a Molly fish in it and didn't even think about adding a new air stone. I'm wondering if I keep going in there and stirring the tank up with a food grade whisk if she will be alright.
Not sure if I should try to rehome her into one of my other tanks while it is still dark. Problem is I would like to get some sleep tonight at some point lol. Do you think if I set my alarm to go off every hour and stir It up really good with a whisk if that would be enough or should I rehome her to my other tank?
I have a very aggressive damsel in one tank so that's out but and my other tank. I have two clowns and a damsel that I think is a sweetheart and should be okay in that tank just going to be a ***** to get her back out when power is restored. Hopefully tomorrow. I do have a lot of Frozen water bottles and things in case the tanks get to hot. Most of all is that I just had some new frags delivered about 2 weeks ago!
Not sure if I should try to rehome her into one of my other tanks while it is still dark. Problem is I would like to get some sleep tonight at some point lol. Do you think if I set my alarm to go off every hour and stir It up really good with a whisk if that would be enough or should I rehome her to my other tank?
I have a very aggressive damsel in one tank so that's out but and my other tank. I have two clowns and a damsel that I think is a sweetheart and should be okay in that tank just going to be a ***** to get her back out when power is restored. Hopefully tomorrow. I do have a lot of Frozen water bottles and things in case the tanks get to hot. Most of all is that I just had some new frags delivered about 2 weeks ago!
If it is just one fish (you didn't say how large the tank is?) they should easily be able to go several hours without flow.
EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal
Just another girl who likes fish
Agreed. Just whisk the water (or pour it back in) a bit and then do it again as soon as you wake up. Ultimately, in a serious disaster like this, if you do end up losing a fish or 2, it's nothing to feel guilty about. You do what you can and move forward once life returns to normal.
Where exactly in Florida are you?
EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal
Just another girl who likes fish
@nano reef , any updates? Hope you and yours are OK.
