Downward Dog

OK, so I'm thinking ahead. I live in NH and the power goes out here and there during the winter (or during bad thunderstorms in the summer). What do you all do to keep your fishies warm when there's no electricity to heat the water? Last year we had no power for 7 days during the ice storm!

Thanks,
Lenore

Shawnie

welcome neighbor!! how was your tanks this winter during our HUGE outtages from ice? did they fair well I hope?

this is what ive done ....ive bought a ton of battery operated air pumps and batteries..(you can find them now but this winter was rough)

ive also stocked up on those hand warmers that snowmobilers use in their gloves (I floated them in my tanks)

if you loose power just making sure you keep the filter media wet even if you have to float it in your tank , so you dont loose your beneficial bacteria...

lets hope for an easy summer!!

aquarist48

Welcome to Fish Lore Downward Dog. With the cold temperatures and the amount of snow you have in NH along with the power outages, I would suggest purchasing a generator for the house. If that is not an option the only thing I can suggest is keep your tank in the warmest room of the house (going by your aquarium info it's a 10g), keep it covered with blankets, add your good biomedia from the filter into the tank itself. For oxygen supply you can purchase a batteyr powered back up air pump and air stone at your local fish store (LFS) for around $12. Feed sparingly.

Beth1965

We loose power rather frequently as well (where I live EVERYTHING is so antiquated), i was bummed when we added a generator only because I like it when there's no TV, no phone and all the other garbage we live with. But on the positive side, I don't have to worry about our fish.
Beth

Downward Dog

We do have a generator, but we don't run it constantly, only when we really need it (lights at night, food prep, etc). We have a woodstove that we heat mainly with, perhaps moving the tank (YIKES!) to near the woodstove would help immensely. I hadn't thought about the filter/air part yet, so those batt powered ones sound perfect! Thanks for all your ideas!!!!

serissime

on a slightly different note, if you haven't experienced a power outage with your tanks yet, make sure you check on your filter when the power comes back on. Many filters are not self-priming and will of course turn back on when the power comes back on, but will not be able to get water back into the well. You don't want your motor to run while dry, so make sure the well is filled back up asap.

janiskfp

I got two of those external laptop batteries at Office Depot, Black&Decker. I can charge it in my car, or (untested and questionably) I could theoretically charge it with my crank Eton emergency radio that's supposed to charge your cell phone, too. The Battery unit has a mini USB power input, and both the Eaton and my car have adapters for that.

Admittedly, I got them for my gadget addiction, but then I got the fish.

Again, theoretically, if you got an adapter for AC power through your DC cigarette lighter in your car (funny those still come standard, don't you think? They never lit my cigs very well, and I'd like USB or even a pre-adapted AC plug better now that I've quit) you could run an extension cord from your car.

I'm urban, more or less, and really don't expect too much need to generate my own elecricity, but I like to be prepared for anything. OK, mybe not so much be prepared as quell my paranoia....

fishchick

When the power goes out here , i don't have to really worry about the tank burning up as i did before ! I have the penguin 200 filters on each side in a 75 gallon . When the power comes back on the water will refill and its all good ! I also have a power surge on each object in the tank, filters, heater, light ! air stone !

Lucy

I've wrapped my tanks in blankets and use the hand warmers (placed in ziplock bags) that Shawnie mentions.

Now would be the time to get the battery operated aerators, Kate had a heck of a time finding them in the winter.

Neji

Wow, power outages in the winter! That must be terrible for your fishes

Do you ever consider on buying a generator? I would get a generator especially when you have power outages in the winter. Then you can use the generator to still get your filter, lights, and heater up and running in your aquarium. If you have a gas fireplace, you should turn it on too so then you can keep yourself warm not just the fishes

Although I never have to worry about snow storms xD since I live where it is always hot, hot and more hot all year round. I live where the Equator's heat still radiates. I don't live super close to the Equator, but Peru is still pretty close to the Equator.