Randy Holmes-Farley
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My Tank Thread
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- Sep 5, 2014
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I know most of you are not expecting a blizzard in the next few days, but I am, so I thought I'd show what I do to prepare:
1. Raise the house temperature a bit, in case of loss of power. Daytime temp raised from normal 72 to about 74. Night time set back not used, instead of the usual 60's.
2. Raise the tank temp from the usual 80 deg F to 82 deg F in case of power and consequent heating failure.
3. Double check the battery backup that it is fully charged and working right. Mine is two big industrial batteries in parallel. It powers only the display tank circulation pumps (3 Tunze pumps) and should be able to run for at least 48 h.
4. Feed the fish earlier in the day so in case they may be dark for a couple of days, they have at least eaten something. No food for them if the power fails to reduce potential for ammonia accumulation in the display tank.
5. When the winds get strong enough, I will probably shut off the vinegar dosing so there is no acetate to consume O2.
6. Make sure the living room is fully stocked with wood for back up heating in the fireplace.
7. If power is lost, open tank top to allow more O2 to get to the water surface and CO2 to leave.
If the power goes off and then back on again:
1. Check that all pumps start up properly and are not seized with calcium carbonate.
2. Restart feeding only if it seems power won't be lost again.
Anyone else have any ideas that might be useful?
1. Raise the house temperature a bit, in case of loss of power. Daytime temp raised from normal 72 to about 74. Night time set back not used, instead of the usual 60's.
2. Raise the tank temp from the usual 80 deg F to 82 deg F in case of power and consequent heating failure.
3. Double check the battery backup that it is fully charged and working right. Mine is two big industrial batteries in parallel. It powers only the display tank circulation pumps (3 Tunze pumps) and should be able to run for at least 48 h.
4. Feed the fish earlier in the day so in case they may be dark for a couple of days, they have at least eaten something. No food for them if the power fails to reduce potential for ammonia accumulation in the display tank.
5. When the winds get strong enough, I will probably shut off the vinegar dosing so there is no acetate to consume O2.
6. Make sure the living room is fully stocked with wood for back up heating in the fireplace.
7. If power is lost, open tank top to allow more O2 to get to the water surface and CO2 to leave.
If the power goes off and then back on again:
1. Check that all pumps start up properly and are not seized with calcium carbonate.
2. Restart feeding only if it seems power won't be lost again.
Anyone else have any ideas that might be useful?