Water changes and feeding for a prolonged power outage?

[intricate_reefer]

What do people recommend to do before, during, and after for a prolonged power outage. Just as far as water changes and feeding go.

 

[TheHarold]

What do people recommend to do before, during, and after for a prolonged power outage. Just as far as water changes and feeding go.

Defined prolonged, I think. And what equipment you (may) have running- an air stone? Powerhead on a battery backup?

With no equipment, maintaining flow is much more critical than worrying about feeding.

Assuming your filtration is not running, I would avoid feeding the tank for up to ~3 days without too much of a concern.

 

[intricate_reefer]

I’m not sure how long, when Florence hit last year here in NC we were without for 10 days. I have bubblers, a fan, some frozen bottles, and a battery backup for my mp10. We do have a gasonline generator that we run during the day dependent on gas. At night it would probably just be the mp10 going and maybe a bubbler. I’m pretty prepared but just wondering what to do as far as water changes and feeding. Should I try and make the tank ultra clean right before, stop feeding before, feed limited during? Would doing a water change a few days in be beneficial? Should I do water change right after?

 

[aqua_code]

Get a power inverter so you can use you car as a generator.

This article has alot of great info:

DIY Universal Battery Backup For Your Reef

A few days ago (3/2/2018) I lost power in the recent Nor'easter. I had a battery backup system in place, and thankfully it functioned fairly well. However, I had upgraded my aquarium since I had originally planned out the battery backup and the...

www.reef2reef.com

You can buy a standalone battery and keep a charge through that if you don't want to use your car. The only devices you should be running are the pumps and chiller/heater. Put a blanket over your tank to keep temp stable. I would do feeding sparingly as your water will be getting dirty without the skimmer and filtration.

 

[Auquanut]

If we're talking possibly multiple days, I wouldn't go ultra clean prior. Sounds like you have a good short term plan as far as water movement and temp go. When you start getting into a prolonged period, I would utilize your generator to move some water through the sump. Maybe a couple times a day? Don't feed unless the outage lasts for multiple days. Here's hoping it doesn't come to that.