swords3711

Just out of curiosity, if there were ever a power outage that lasted several days, how would an aquarium of tropical fish survive?

Chief_waterchanger

Using a generator for the heater or heat water and do multiple small waterchanges to keep the water at a consistantly warm temperature. It is VERY tricky to not add water that is too hot or too cold. Dino had to go through that vary scenario back in the 90s so I will have him come post on it.

Dino

We lost power for 3 days back in 93 during a snow/ice storm.
12 tanks of fish and to iguanas.
The igs were kept in contact with a humans body 24/7 and the person/persons awake were constantly heating water to go back into the fish tanks.

If we had such an event happen now, we would bag the fish and move them into my parents house where they have a non electric based heating system.

Barbrella

We lost power for 2 weeks back in '97 during a big ice storm. I had only one tank then, but no losses since the tank was in the basement with the woodstove.

I'm expecting power to go out soon here, due to freezing rain and high winds.

I'm thinking I can put small Tupperware containers of warm water in my betta tanks? Or is there a better way?

Dino

I would put the fish in the containers and move them closer to the heat source.

Barbrella

Now why didn't I think of that?
Perfect. Thanks!

Dino

No problem.

swords3711

ooo that would stink!

sirdarksol

Thank goodness for natural gas heating. My aquariums would drop to room temperature, which would be a stress to the fish, no doubt, but it's much better than the alternative.

I'm contemplating setting up an isolated, solar power/battery system that my aquariums plug into. First of all, it would help lighten the carbon load that my tanks are adding to. Second of all, it would keep the tanks running even through power outages.
Downsides are the cost, of course, and the fact that a short in the system would be just as bad as a power outage (though I wouldn't be at the mercy of the power company).

COBettaCouple

Fortunately, Stacy's parents have a gas stove as well as a dryer that runs on gas so we could get warm water and warm towels.