Bonochick

The power at our house has been out for 17 hours. I'm at work now, but when I left the house, I noticed that the temperature of the tank is three degrees less than usual. I'm so worried about my fish. I called the power company, and their estimate is 2 hours. I hope it's an accurate estimate.

Callum The Cat

Bonochick

Fahrenheit.

I just called again for an update, and now they said they have no estimated time that it will be fixed. Previous estimates are to be disregarded.

ecnaj143

How big is your tank?

Bonochick

It's only 29 gallons, freshwater. I mean, it's not like I have a big, fancy saltwater setup with expensive fish or anything, but they're my babies, ya know?

ecnaj143

I know, but a tank like that, the temp shouldn't change to much where it will harm the fish.

COBettaCouple

the size of your tank is helping.. is the temp below the comfort range of your fish? they can take lower temps for a few days without trouble. if it's hot/sunny outside maybe you can put some treated tap water out in the sun for a little bit and do a few small partial water changes with the warmed water to bring the temp up a degree each time?

Bonochick

It went from 80 degrees to 77 degrees, so it's still warm, but I'm afraid it will keep dropping.

We have an electric well, so we can't get any tap water. When the power goes out, so does our water.

COBettaCouple

that sucks.. i don't guess you could bring enough hot tap water home to make a difference probably.. what do you figure the room temp to be? the water temp has dropped but should stop when it reaches the point that the room temp is determining the water temp.

Bonochick

Room temperature was 73 degrees when I left this morning.

I have some RO water, but it's in the basement, so I'm sure it's even colder.

COBettaCouple

i'm not sure about there, but here our tanks stay about 3 or 4 degrees above room temp winter or summer.. hopefully that will mean 76 and no further for the tank.. or better yet i hope the power gets back on.

Bonochick

Thanks for your concern, I appreciate it. I'm just so worried.

I also didn't feed them this morning, since obviously the filter isn't working either. When they saw me by the tank, the angels immediately thought it was feeding time and got excited. I know they aren't going to starve or anything, they can go awhile without food, but I felt bad disappointing them.

COBettaCouple

yea, they make us feel guilty on fasting day each week.

Bonochick

My angels are the first to know when food should be approaching. I also like how when I put cucumber in the tank, they come up to the top, like, "Um...we don't like that. Bloodworms for us, please." :

COBettaCouple

lol.. they are such fun to feed.

Bonochick

I just found out that the power is still out in our neighborhood, and the power company has no clue what is wrong!!!!! I called my boyfriend to tell him, and he told me that he's loading a generator into his truck to take home!

COBettaCouple

power... power... POWER!!!

Bonochick

He left work to take the generator home, but he has to go back, so he said he's gonna try to get the fridges and freezers going and water to the house, and we can take care of the fish tonight. I'm sure he will check when he goes home and make sure that they are still okay though. Hang on, guys!

Amnagrla

lol your boyfriend deserved a medal....

Bonochick

So my boyfriend gets home with the generator...and our power is back on! Figures!!!!! : He's taking the generator back, and everything should be back to normal.

Thanks to you guys for replying, I appreciate it.

COBettaCouple

lol.. that's the way to get the power on!

capekate

The thought of power outages...is a worry for sure. In the summer we can get away with lack of heater, but its the aeration that is a concern. These fish need oxygen in the water. The bettas can last for awhile since they go to the surface, but so many of the other fish really need the oxygen. That is why I have researched the battery powered air pumps to at least keep the air flow going in times like that. Dr Foster's has some that range from 3.99 to 10.99 and some alittle bit higher. Its worth the investment and we plan on getting some asap! Good luck with your tanks and hope your BF gets that generator going for you!

nmwierman1977

I'm glad your power came back on. Natalie

susitna-flower

Bonochick, I just read this thread, and know just how you feel, but as stated the oxygen, and filtration are much more important in the long run than the temperature. Just think of fish in the wild, even in the tropics water cools at night, fish can handle it for several days, the problems come when the temp drops and stays down for a week or two, you will start having fin rot or ick or something like that. You did just right in not feeding them.

Were we live we don't have electricity, so I started out with what I researched in tropical fish that could take cooler temps. Then found that my 55 gal tanks with lots of gravel, and rocks hold temp all night to within just a couple of degrees until we turn on the generator in the morning, so I have no worries. I now keep any tropicals I like and don't even worry about the temp. Twice now I have gone on a short vacation 3-5 days and the temp has dropped down to around 60 in the tanks, no fatalities, and I just do partial water changes when I get home with warm water to bring it slowly back up, and haven't had any problems.

I am glad things are back to normal though for you, and next time you may feel less stressed out.

Fish in the Frozen North

COBettaCouple

very good point.. it's something good to have in FL too.

.. you wouldn't want larry, moe and curly to not have enough air, right?

capekate

COBettaCouple

lol.. well you know, us guys have to stick together for the stooges..

Jacko

I know how you feel, last winter we had a storm and our power was out for 7 days, This is when I had a severe case of MTS. I am happy to say that nearly all of my fish made it through (except for my danios, a little strange aint it) We kept our fish alive through half frozen tapwater and half boiled tapwater (temp around 83) twice a day water changes, talk about work

Happy to hear your fish all made it!

Jason Lorelei

"I woke up with the power out, not really somethin' to shout about..."