Hurricane on the way! What to do!

[d_adler]

So as a fairly new reefer living in Florida I've yet to experience a hurricane while having my sps dominate 55gal fish tank running. Recently moved to a new house and I don't have a generator just laying around to be 100% confident in my tank if a blackout comes around.

For anybody with experience of extended power outages what do you believe to be the best way to prepare?

Any tips and tricks to keep everything alive would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure there are other reefers here in Florida thinking the same thing I am and if you are in the same situation as I am.... Good luck

 

[d2mini]

Best case scenario, buy a generator. You'll get plenty of use out of it in FL.
Stock up on some gas before the hurricane hits, as working gas stations can be hard to come by afterwards.
Get one now before they sell out.

Failing that, you will want to pick up some battery operated air pumps. BRS sells some.
And if you can get a battery backup on your power heads, that will help.
Bags of ice or frozen water bottles can help keep your tank temps down.
The main thing is to keep water moving and to keep temps stable.

 

[steve&mari]

Wishing you the best. Keep water moving. Battery backup if you have right pumps work. Battery air pump helps a lot also. I've hooked up a battery from truck to converter to run everything few hours here and there had a battery charger hooked up to it helping keep a charge. Even pulling water out n pouring back in helps. Sure others will help also.

 

[d_adler]

Best case scenario, buy a generator. You'll get plenty of use out of it in FL.
Stock up on some gas before the hurricane hits, as working gas stations can be hard to come by afterwards.
Get one now before they sell out.

Failing that, you will want to pick up some battery operated air pumps. BRS sells some.
And if you can get a battery backup on your power heads, that will help.
Bags of ice or frozen water bottles can help keep your tank temps down.
The main thing is to keep water moving and to keep temps stable.

See already learning something. I figured aeration was key but I never even considered temp control. Better get the cooler filled and start freezing water bottles

 

[d_adler]

Wishing you the best. Keep water moving. Battery backup if you have right pumps work. Battery air pump helps a lot also. I've hooked up a battery from truck to converter to run everything few hours here and there had a battery charger hooked up to it helping keep a charge. Even pulling water out n pouring back in helps. Sure others will help also.

I just picked up some used mp10s this past weekend. Wish a battery back up would have been available. But I'll have to jimmy rig something together

 

[d2mini]

Buy the genny. Totally worth it. You'll never have to worry about weather again.
Plus you'll be able to run your fridge, fans, tv, lamps, etc. Gotta keep yourself comfy too! And think of how much it would cost to replace all that food.

 

[steve&mari]

Sorry didn't think about temp being it's fighting to hit 70 here lately. But frozen water bottles work

 

[3Twinklets]

Try to get a generator and stored saltwater.

 

[d_adler]

Buy the genny. Totally worth it. You'll never have to worry about weather again.
Plus you'll be able to run your fridge, fans, tv, lamps, etc. Gotta keep yourself comfy too! And think of how much it would cost to replace all that food.

going to start looking into it. thats what amazon prime 2 day shipping is for!

 

[mikey_p]

What part of fl are u in I'm in fl to but I don't think it's gonna be that bad of a storm when it gets to us maybe just a rain storm

 

[jduck]

$500 you can get a generator that will also power your fridge/freezer and a few lights. Remember don't plug in your controller or other $$ elecronics, they can get fried. I have a ups that I can plug everything into to help regulate the voltage.

 

[d_adler]

What part of fl are u in I'm in fl to but I don't think it's gonna be that bad of a storm when it gets to us maybe just a rain storm

Ft Lauderdale/ Miami area. It doesn't look like a bad storm but a prolonged power outage is definitely possible

 

[ca2or]

Generator or backup batteries. I would also look into battery powered air pump as you might need it as well

also, I would kill the power to your tank now to test and ensure your sump isn't going to overflow.

 

[jsker]

Wait till three days out, then you will know where the storm will hit. Get a Honda generator 3000' air pump and a small power head. Also if the power goes out, which the last major storm to hit power was out for 5 to 6 hours because a sub station fried out. Most of the lines in Florida are barieded, make sure your insurance is up to date, you have water, since you most likely have a di/ro no worries for drinking water and food you should be good. And lastly do not be a victim!