How Long Without POWER???

[Fishie Nut]

I had a power outage this afternoon from 12:00 to 8:00 pm. Fortunately I have a generator and I got my return and my CL working, so the tank had lots of flow even with the power out.

How long will the tank survive without any flow; e.g. a power outage when I'm away? Is there any rule of thumb for this?

I was hoping I would nothave to leave the generator on all night. Among other things, it's NOISY!

Thanks for the help,

Fishie

[ShootMe]

I've been told 8 hours is the limit at which point things start to die.

[vanmo92]

If worse comes to worse you can 'make' water flow. I have some battery powered air pumps that would probrobly help. You could use a peice of acrilic and wave it back and forth under water, although this is not very efficiant. That might work if it is out for more than your tank can handle.

[tkeracer619]

run the generator. It's not worth your neighbors sleep loosing livestock.

[Fishie Nut]

Yeah, I have a battery operated air pump and airstone. It doesn't do much in a 225.

[nattydread]

Two hrs and I lost a firefish.

[reefkeeper135]

wonder how long a battery back-up like those used on computers would last. I see some models can last up to 20min at a 250watt load so curious how long a small power head for circulation would last?

[ihopss]

How many fish, what kind ,size that will help.

[Fishie Nut]

I've got a lot of fish. I like fish.
I've got inverts, corals, mostly SPS, assorted reef creatures. Lots of life, LOTS of flow when I have power.
I don't usually lose power. This was unusual, but now I know I'm going away for a week on Wednesday. Even if the power came back on, I don't know if my controller would come back on and keep everything copasetic.
Best choice -- tank sitter or looker-inner while I"m gone.

[TKByrnes]

I would get a tank sitter!! also explain to them how to hook up and run the generator. better safe than sorry!!

[Fishie Nut]

Yeah. There is no easy way.

Although, the batter backup generator with, say, an MJ1200 that would go on if there was a power outage would probably keep everything okay for a much longer while.

[netboy]

I dont understand how some people's fish or corals die in 20 min or 8 hrs when they had to of have been shipped from somewhere and were in a bag for much longer. Can someone explain this to me?

[reefkeeper135]

I would think its do to the fact that when shipped the bags are filled with oxygen, not compressed air. With no water movement the water in the tank is not being oxygenated and the available oxygen in the water is used up quickly from all inhabitants, fish, corals etc....