Power outage due to Tornado

[curtis.stricklan]

Hey y'all.
We had a tornado in our area last night and our power has been out since 7:00 pm EST last night. We got word that the estimated time of power restoration isn't until wednesday. All the battery powered air pumps in my area are out of stock, and I am unsure what my next steps should be. My roommate is ensuring oxygen is circulating in the tank, while i'm at work, by taking cups of tank water and pouring it back in to help with the oxygen. What should I do to ensure my livestock stays alive? I have 4 fish, some shrimp, and 5 euphyllia corals. Thanks!

 

[curtis.stricklan]

When I checked this morning, after 7 hours of doing nothing to the tank, the temperature remained between 78-80 degrees and the fish had no sign of distress

 

[curtis.stricklan]

The tank is a 40 gallon long with two small clownfish, a small yellow tang, and a small yellow watchman goby.

 

[mfinn]

I would start shopping for a generator right now.
2+ days with out power is going to make it really difficult to maintain o2 levels and heat in the tank.

 

[curtis.stricklan]

I would start shopping for a generator right now.
2+ days with out power is going to make it really difficult to maintain o2 levels and heat in the tank.

I live on the 3rd floor of an apartment building and am unsure how I would be able to do that.

 

[Brew12]

I live on the 3rd floor of an apartment building and am unsure how I would be able to do that.

No balcony?

 

[curtis.stricklan]

No balcony?

Ah yes I do have one. I am picking up a battery operated pump about an hour away after I get off work today. So i have oxygen taken care of. Do you think purchasing some handwarmers/heatpacks and submerging them in the tank in a ziplock bag would be a good alternative?

 

[JoshKReef]

What about a power inverter and an extension cord?

Hook it up to your lighter socket in your car, and power a few things for your aquarium.

 

[curtis.stricklan]

What about a power inverter and an extension cord?

Hook it up to your lighter socket in your car, and power a few things for your aquarium.

I thought about it, but the parking lot is a good 100 feet from my door, and require alot of extension cords (which I do not have either)

 

[Brew12]

Ah yes I do have one. I am picking up a battery operated pump about an hour away after I get off work today. So i have oxygen taken care of. Do you think purchasing some handwarmers/heatpacks and submerging them in the tank in a ziplock bag would be a good alternative?

That might work if your apartment doesn't get too cold.

 

[curtis.stricklan]

That might work if your apartment doesn't get too cold.

It didn't appear to lose any heat in the 12 hours from yesterday to this morning!

 

[mfinn]

Ah yes I do have one. I am picking up a battery operated pump about an hour away after I get off work today. So i have oxygen taken care of. Do you think purchasing some handwarmers/heatpacks and submerging them in the tank in a ziplock bag would be a good alternative?

The hand warmers are activated and feed off of o2.
Once the o2 in the baggies is exhausted, they would cool.
Maybe tape them to the outside of the tank? IDK.
Inverter and a car battery?

Did you wrap the tank with a blanket?

 

[SandJ]

So sorry you are having to deal with this.

Please let someone else confirm, but can hydrogen peroxide be used to increase O2 in an aquarium during an emergency like this?

And I would probably not worry too much about increasing the temp, lower temp means more O2. Of course you don’t want it to drop excessively low.

 

[Cherub]

hopefully you're taking care of your sump too. Last thing you want is for the power to come on and have a bunch of rotting water flow into all your hard work. Prayers for your tank!

 

[curtis.stricklan]

hopefully you're taking care of your sump too. Last thing you want is for the power to come on and have a bunch of rotting water flow into all your hard work. Prayers for your tank!

What type of care should I do for the sump?

 

[curtis.stricklan]

The hand warmers are activated and feed off of o2.
Once the o2 in the baggies is exhausted, they would cool.
Maybe tape them to the outside of the tank? IDK.
Inverter and a car battery?

Did you wrap the tank with a blanket?

I did not wrap them in a blanket as it was relatively warm in my apartment and I though wrapping it would actually increase the temperature too much. But i will re-evaluate once I get home!

 

[Cherub]

What type of care should I do for the sump?

the same thing you're doing the display I guess. I mean you don't have many options. If it were me I would unplug the return pump and drain it or consider fresh saltwater replacement after the power is back.

 

[mfinn]

I did not wrap them in a blanket as it was relatively warm in my apartment and I though wrapping it would actually increase the temperature too much. But i will re-evaluate once I get home!

If there is nothing in the tank producing heat, then it would not increase the temp. Only help save what is there.

 

[curtis.stricklan]

the same thing you're doing the display I guess. I mean you don't have many options. If it were me I would unplug the return pump and drain it or consider fresh saltwater replacement after the power is back.

I'll definitely do a water change, probably 5-10 gallons once the tank it back up and running.

 

[curtis.stricklan]

If there is nothing in the tank producing heat, then it would not increase the temp. Only help save what is there.

Thanks! I'll be sure to do that when I get home!