How long can a tank go w/o power i just lost my power from this storm

Hard to say.What type of fish do you have?If its possible to keep the temp pretty stable,and the filter media wet,should be able to go awhile,granted that the fish can breathe without an airstone.


Good luck,and I hope the power comes back on soon for ya.

__________________
http://bountifulbettas.blogspot.com/

"Come to the dark side....we have cookies...and filters/heaters/and water changes!"

Worst case a couple days, as posted above, make sure the filter stays wet and if needed break the water in the tank to make sure some oxygen gets in if the power is out for an extended period of time.

If you can get to a walmart or something similar and in the sporting goods store get yourself some battery powered airstones and some extra batteries. They are saying the power outages could last a few days.

__________________
SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!!
220 Tank build
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

A moderately stocked tank that is not on CO2 and not too heavily planted can last without power for months. They are called ponds. The fish can get along just fine. A battery operated air pump will help to turn the water over to move the surface against the air to respirate the tank, so it would be a good idea. Sporting goods stores and even WalMart are a good source of these things. I have 4 of them from Bass ProShops.

The worst part of losing power in a running tank is that the bacteria in the filter dies within hours. Your most important task is to get the filter out and clean it the best you can. Replace the filter media with clean stuff. Start your filter from the bacteria in the tank water column. It's not a problem.

Here in St Louis we have had 4 ice storms which took the power out for days. Those fish rooms which had their filters cleaned at once lost 10% of those which left the dirty/dead filters to start up again. We have had 3 wind storms that have taken out power for 5 or more days since 1978 when I set up my first fish room here. it is always good to be prepared with batteries, flash lights, battery operated air pumps and a battery back up for the air pump that keeps the newly hatched Brine Shrimp alive.

Believe me, Clean those filters!! The voice of experience.
Charles H

__________________
27 to 35 tanks from 5 to 55 gallon fresh water tanks. 300 to 350 gal in all.
Spawning mostly Killies, Live bearers, American & west African Cichlids, Pencil fish. 4 species of spawning Corydoras, & some Bristle nose Plecos. Other less than 6 inch species from time to time.

In St. Louis
Change As Much Water As Often As You Can

Charles - what about heavily planted tanks, and what about tanks with fish in them that prefer temps in the 70's-80's, in a cold winter environment when the power goes out?

I scored a GIANT 1KWh backup power supply from the analog circuit lab stockroom at my university for $100. The thing weighs a metric ton, but my dad and I have it just in case s*** hits the fan during some of the bigger storms we get here in Utah. Previously, I've used the power supply in conjunction with heating buckets of water at our natural gas fireplaces to keep the temp up (I worry about my shrimp and dwarf rasboras).

__________________
Officially fishless until after the move....tune in later for details!

There are big problems ahead if one is not prepared. I installed a 4000 watt marine battery powered system in 2007. My new fish room is triply insulated with 1 inch Styrofoam, 3" fiber glass insulation and 5 mil plastic barrier when the time came to upgrade. I close the door and the tanks will hold the temperatures for 2 weeks up or down.

An aquarists in a house full of aquariums is only good if there is some source of power available. A generator, we have an 8KW 12KW starting, in our garage. We have used it twice since 2005, it helps. I wouldn't live in a house without natural gas in addition to electrical connection.

Take a look at:
Articles by Members

There is no alternative for being prepared. One has to plan ahead. S**t happens.
Charles H

__________________
27 to 35 tanks from 5 to 55 gallon fresh water tanks. 300 to 350 gal in all.
Spawning mostly Killies, Live bearers, American & west African Cichlids, Pencil fish. 4 species of spawning Corydoras, & some Bristle nose Plecos. Other less than 6 inch species from time to time.

In St. Louis
Change As Much Water As Often As You Can