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Lucy
Moderator
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HI everyone.
The weather is beginning to change it's time get prepared for those power outages that bring a fish keeper to panic.
Of course outages can happen anytime of the year so it's great to always be prepared.
There are several threads with great suggestions, but they're kind of spread out.
I'd like us to compile suggestions for outages in one thread.
(A good reason to use the search feature before asking a question)
Here's one:
What to do in a power outage?
Our power went out last night. I wrapped my tanks with blankets to keep the heat in, luckily it wasn't too cold.
Last winter, I wrapped my tanks with blankets and used those hand warmers that you shake to activate. I put them in a zip lock baggy and floated them in my tanks.
*Edit: 8/18* Since then I have cut insulation foam board and tape them around my tanks.
For aeration I have a couple of battery powered air pumps.
Enough tubing an a couple of gang valves will serve several tanks.
A battery operated air pump can be used with a sponge filter.
From ctkevin108:
Back Up Power During An Outage.
I have seen people suggest generators.
It's important to know that it is dangerous to use gas generators in doors due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
How have you and your fish survived power outages?
From JRC3
The weather is beginning to change it's time get prepared for those power outages that bring a fish keeper to panic.
Of course outages can happen anytime of the year so it's great to always be prepared.
There are several threads with great suggestions, but they're kind of spread out.
I'd like us to compile suggestions for outages in one thread.
(A good reason to use the search feature before asking a question)
Here's one:
What to do in a power outage?
Our power went out last night. I wrapped my tanks with blankets to keep the heat in, luckily it wasn't too cold.
Last winter, I wrapped my tanks with blankets and used those hand warmers that you shake to activate. I put them in a zip lock baggy and floated them in my tanks.
*Edit: 8/18* Since then I have cut insulation foam board and tape them around my tanks.
For aeration I have a couple of battery powered air pumps.
Enough tubing an a couple of gang valves will serve several tanks.
A battery operated air pump can be used with a sponge filter.
From ctkevin108:
I also went and bought a 800 watt power inverter. It will run all 3 of my tanks heaters and all plus leave some for some lights around the house. It runs off the car battery then I run an extension cord inside. Just start the car every few hours and its all good.
From Dave125g's threadTexasFishNut said:I use a Computer USP backup. See it here
Its designed for computers so you don't lose your stuff. But works just fine for the filter and pumps and heater, I even have the lights on it. I tested it under FULL load and unplugged it to similate a power outage and it says 5 hours runtime left with current load.. Figured if I turned off the lights it's run a WHOLE lot longer.
Back Up Power During An Outage.
Edit 11/2013:Dave125g said:Your only gonna need 3 components.
1. A 12 volt car or marine battery.
2. A power inverter
3. A battery charger.
No real engineering skills needed. Make sure you battery is fully charged. The power inverter has alligator clips that clip to the terminals. (+ and -) I do recommend something a bit more permanent. Cut the alligator clips off, strip the wires and use cable ends. Its not necessary ,but is a bit safer. Plug your heater and filter in and your up and running. Just make sure you charge the battery every 3 months, so its ready when you need it.
I have seen people suggest generators.
It's important to know that it is dangerous to use gas generators in doors due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
How have you and your fish survived power outages?
From JRC3