Currently sitting through a power outage....

Leyth · Mar 21, 2017

First, what can I do? I'm 1.5 hours in and unsure how long it will last.

Second, what can I buy to avoid this next time?

Scubabeth · Mar 21, 2017

Leyth said:
First, what can I do? I'm 1.5 hours in and unsure how long it will last.

Second, what can I buy to avoid this next time?

@Leyth, I read this the other day, and I remember seeing other links previously, so you'll find more info on R2R. Link: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/22-hour-power-outage.290681/

Leyth · Mar 21, 2017

Well dang, guess I'm staying up all night lol

ChronicRage · Mar 21, 2017

Youtube the DIY reefer video about power outages! He's got some great tips.

Leyth · Mar 21, 2017

Ok thanks guys

saltyfilmfolks · Mar 21, 2017

DO you have battery airstones?

PJS · Mar 21, 2017

I'm sorry you are going through this, it ain't easy.
If you are able, a generator will give you priceless peace of mind.
I hope it works out well for you and your tank's inhabitants.

jenkinscrew2578 · Mar 21, 2017

Do you have a power inverter for your car? If so use your car as a generator worse case and run an extension cord for at least your return pump. If you can add other equipment even better.

Flippers4pups · Mar 21, 2017

jenkinscrew2578 said:
Do you have a power inverter for your car? If so use your car as a generator worse case and run an extension cord for at least your return pump. If you can add other equipment even better.

^ +1.

Power inverter is cheap and could keep your heater and a couple of powerheads moving, as long as you have gas for your car. Battery operated "loss of power" air pump is also a great thing to have.

Leyth · Mar 21, 2017

No battery powered air stone, no power inverter. I am quite unequipped.

so far I've just been stirring the water once an hour.

It's a 17 gallon with one clownfish and a bunch of inverts and corals. Temp is at 75.7 now but it's not cold out so I'm not sure how much further it will go down. Anything else I should do?

Flippers4pups · Mar 22, 2017

Leyth said:
No battery powered air stone, no power inverter. I am quite unequipped. so far I've just been stirring the water once an hour.

It's a 17 gallon with one clownfish and a bunch of inverts and corals. Temp is at 75.7 now but it's not cold out so I'm not sure how much further it will go down. Anything else I should do?

75.7 isn't bad, but it most likely will drop more over time.

Do you have any way to make hot water? Do you have a thermometer ? If so, Run hot water and adjust it to 80 degrees. Fill a Tupperware container with a tight fitting lid less than half full and place it on your tank water in the DT. Watch closely the tank temp.

You will repeat this till the tank temp gets close to 77-78.

Also, don't just stir, agitate the waters surface till it makes some bubbles in the water.

cmcoker · Mar 22, 2017

Leyth said:
No battery powered air stone, no power inverter. I am quite unequipped. so far I've just been stirring the water once an hour.

It's a 17 gallon with one clownfish and a bunch of inverts and corals. Temp is at 75.7 now but it's not cold out so I'm not sure how much further it will go down. Anything else I should do?

I don't know about where you are but around here Walmart usually has battery powered bubblers in the camping and fishing area.

Do you have a old Styrofoam cooler? Could break it down and place it on the sides of the tank and tape it place, leave the top open for air exchange of course.
If you get the bubblers you could try the hand warmers taped to the side of the tank, that was on that diy guys power outage video, never tried myself..

Leyth · Mar 22, 2017

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. The outage lasted 6 hours and we survived as far as I can tell. I just kept mixing the water every 45-60 minutes by filling up a cup full and dumping it into the tank from about a foot high.

Lesson learned, time to go shopping.

PJS · Mar 22, 2017

I'm glad to hear that power is restored and everything seems to be well. I'm sure you were nervous.
Good job on being the attentive parent to your inhabitants!

revhtree · Mar 22, 2017

Glad you made it!

Sistawolf · Mar 22, 2017

Phew!! Great idea though.. I have a plug in my truck I can use in case this happens until I can get a generator.. thanks @jenkinscrew2578

@Leyth im happy you made it through without a loss.. I can imagine it's scary.. I actually have been stressing over this situation for the last couple of months.. I live in the south.. we have lots of thunderstorms and such.. every time it gets bad outside.. I freak out.. I have a 75 and a 40 gallon so I will be screwed I do believe..

CPL376 · Mar 23, 2017

I've had pretty good luck using a computer uninterruptible power supply (ups). That I bought from office max. It won't run everything but it will run a heater and powerhead

Leyth · Mar 23, 2017

Thanks everyone. Yea, I have heard that a UPS battery backup made for computers won't work, but you really only need the heater and a power head going right? I wonder if it will work for my use case since my tank is just a 17 gallon and my heater is only 150w and my powerhead is a mp10 but I could just backup my aquaclear 20 instead.

CPL376 · Mar 23, 2017

I keep 1 heater and a powerhead plugged into mine year round. The only problem I've ever had is it has a warning beep when the power goes out. Makes sleeping difficult. Other than that it works great