Power cut strategies

[Negseven]

if we get any power cuts due to shortages or whatever, I’m assuming my fish will be ok temp wise as the tank should retain the heat for a while (2-3 hours or more) most fish should be ok going down temp wise for a while, what about the filter and water agitation? Will that be ok for the same amount of time or will a safeguard have to be put in place? thanks

 

[Naughts]

I guess the answer is 'it depends' as everyone has different tank sizes, stocking levels, water quality, cycle stability. But I don't see 2-3 hours being a problem generally. Heat and medications deplete oxygen so if if the power cut coincided with these it may be an issue. I have not needed it (fingers crossed) but have a cheap back up in the form of a battery operated air pump for peace of mind. I make sure I have a few of the right batteries too.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0749L87CD/?tag=

If tanks are likely to get cold you can cover them with insulators - polystyrene, bubble wrap, blankets, towels... whatever you have on hand.

 

[Negseven]

I guess the answer is 'it depends' as everyone has different tank sizes, stocking levels, water quality, cycle stability. But I don't see 2-3 hours being a problem generally. Heat and medications deplete oxygen so if if the power cut coincided with these it may be an issue. I have not needed it (fingers crossed) but have a cheap back up in the form of a battery operated air pump for peace of mind. I make sure I have a few of the right batteries too.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0749L87CD/?tag=

If tanks are likely to get cold you can cover them with insulators - polystyrene, bubble wrap, blankets, towels... whatever you have on hand.

Thanks for the info and link

 

[Glenn407]

Funny I have been wondering the same thing lately and as I type this we are having a severe thunderstorm with high winds. While I have a portable generator I have only fired it up a couple times during the rare day long outages. Been thinking about one of those backup systems I use for the computers for about $150.00 off and on. Temp I am not concerned about but would like to keep one of the filters running and an air pump at least.

 

[CarissaT]

If it’s a long time, you can also manually agitate the water every so often. Not ideal but in a pinch it would help oxygenation.

The battery backup UPS that we usually install for our IT clients only lasts about 10 minutes or so. I have seen some air pumps that run on 5v (usb connection) and I would say there would be a battery power supply available that would go for a fair bit longer than that for 5v. A heater will suck a lot more power. If temperature is dropping gradually I would think the fish would be fine for at least a day or so, if it’s a normal room temperature.