Power Outages in summer

[CACAdmin]

As Calgary was hit with a power outages after a storm with winds up to 90 kph knocking down trees and power lines, leaving 12,000 people without power, I realized how much of an issue (even thought it's summer) that this can be for fish-keepers.

Power outages are difficult to handle at any time. In the summer, as in the winter there are issues of filtration and oxygenation of the water. In winter, you're also struggling to keep tanks warm enough for your fish. In the summer heat where people rely on air conditioners to keep their homes cool, the issue of temperature becomes keeping the tank from overheating. Some tips to help out with the temps can be found here: Keeping Tanks Cool (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2025&highlight=cubes). Remeber the higher the temps the less oxygen there is for your fish and with the pumps not working, there is already reduced oxygen levels. :wideeyed:

[thegrandpoohbah]

Best investment I made was a pair of battery powered air pumps to drive the sponge filters. UPS back-ups meant for computers will only last a very short while, usually not long enough to make any difference. And generators are great if you need to power a lot of tanks but are VERY pricey.

[Very Scalare]

UPS' that are made for computers can actually damage your hardware. They use different forms of electricity. Although I am not overly technical....do your research first if you want to use something like this for your tank hardware!

[Melody]

I have never had a freshwater fish who required constant water movement to the extent that it couldn't be stopped temporarily. That should only be a problem if the tank is overstocked, not well maintained or if the surface is blocked (floating plants or whatever). Live plants make it even more unnecessary during the day.

A tank of overly messy creatures will require filtration more quickly, otherwise the water will become oxygen deprived due to the waste build-up. Specifically, I see that in snail tanks. Snails can go to the surface and survive for a time in low oxygen situations, but if there's fish in the same tank there can be a problem. They are invaluable alarms in these situations - if your MTS are at the waterline during the day, you've got a tank that is dangerously low on oxygen.:wideeyed:

One thing you can do if the water movement is stopped for too long (especially if it's hot), is remove the hood. Hoods keep the fresh air out and the Co2 in. It's not an issue when there's water movement, but with other factors restricting oxygen, fish need all of the help they can get. If you're really concerned, stir the water up occasionally.

Certainly fish weren't the biggest concern in the wild west winds recently. At least two lives lost, many injured. Nature can be merciless and her wrath can touch down without notice. My condolences to the families & friends of the victims, and best wishes for a speedy recovery to those who were injured.

[Pamelajo]

Certainly fish weren't the biggest concern in the wild west winds recently. At least two lives lost, many injured. Nature can be merciless and her wrath can touch down without notice. My condolences to the families & friends of the victims, and best wishes for a speedy recovery to those who were injured.
Depending on what is happening, fish may be of little concern when lives are at risk. Like the situation above.


But in less serious situations, this thread had me thinking. Now that I have all but one tank running from one air pump, if needed I can hook up to our little generator for short periods of time. So far we have never had to use it for anything, but 3 hours away at my dad's they had been without power on two occasions for days.

[Melody]

Then you get into things like waterchanges being due and dying plants because they're not getting sufficient light. Definitly more crucial when the power is out for longer periods, good point.