A power outage can happen without warning at any time and place. Some only last for a few minutes while others can last for hours, days, and even weeks. For most people, it usually means a short break from their laptop, TV, or smartphone. If you own an aquarium, however, a power outage can be […]
A power outage can happen without warning at any time and place. Some only last for a few minutes while others can last for hours, days, and even weeks. For most people, it usually means a short break from their laptop, TV, or smartphone.
If you own an aquarium, however, a power outage can be a huge obstacle. It can be difficult for your fish and other sea life to thrive without an ongoing filtration system and heater.
Here are 5 things you can do to ensure you aquarium is protected during a power outage:
It may seem silly to unplug your equipment during a power outage. After all, the power is out; what would be the point, right? We recommend that you do so for the following reason: the power may come back on.
While the power is out, the filter in your aquarium is still, as in the wastes and debris in your water do not move within the filter media. As time goes on, these wastes become very toxic. Once the power comes back on, these toxins may flow back into your tank and stress out your fish. Stress and aquatic life do not mesh well together and it could lead to loss.
When the power goes out, your heater will more than likely stopped working its magic. This can lead to a drop in temperature within your aquarium, especially in winter months. As cold-blooded animals, fish do not live very long in cold temperature so it’s essential to have a backup plan.
One method you can try is covering your tank with blankets—this helps trap in heat. If you try this, make sure to unplug your lighting system to avoid fire hazards when the power is back on. You can also try filling up plastic bags or jugs with warm water and letting them float in your tank. Just avoid warming up the water too much as hot water can be life-threatening to your fish.
No filtration system means no water movement. And a lack of water movement leads to little or no oxygen for your aquatic critters! We recommend purchasing a battery-powered air pump to provide some water movement to your tank.
If you aren’t able to buy an air pump, you can try providing water movement yourself. Just fill a cup with tank water and dump it back—this will create water movement and bubbles!
When the power goes out, it’s a good idea to hold back on feeding your fish. For one, your fish will produce lots of waste and may leave uneaten food that can lower your water quality. Most aquarium fish can also survive around 3 to 5 days without food so there’s no need to worry.
If you know there’s a storm coming, you should perform a large water change of at least 40% to 50% of your tank’s volume. This will help lower the impact caused by loss of filtration.
A power outage isn’t anyone’s cup of tea, especially for your aquarium. By following our tips, you can ensure your aquarium is in tip-top shape once the power returns. Of course, your fish will certainly appreciate having oxygen and a stress-free existence during a power failure.
