Max time without power?

[reeferj]

What is a safe amount of time that a medium bioload, 130-140 gallon system could survive without power? The more I invest in my system, the more I realize I should have a generator on standby... not in an emergency at the moment, just letting the "winter storm 2010 action alive, up to the min coverage" get to me a little more than usual I guess. Thanks

 

[jonathan]

Depends on temp drop time frame and current o2 saturation levels. I have gone 14 hours before with my 120 without problems.

Jonathan

 

[ralph atl]

get at least an inexpensive generator, and a backup battery for at least one or two low wattage power heads.

3-12 hours? depends on many factors.

 

[brianjfinn]

If you can power just a single power head and a heater strong enough to keep the temp from dropping too far, you can actually go a few days and be OK. NOT RECOMMENDED!!! But it is possible with only the more temperamental corals being affected.

 

[dakota9]

Bare bottom tanks can go much, much longer than a tank with a DSB as the micro life in the sand depletes oxygen levels at a much greater rate.

Being that I have a small system that's lightly stocked, my fall back position is to drain a third of my tank into a styrofoam cooler and move livestock into it. I have the cooler on hand, the kind LFSs receive livestock in. I figure this way, the DSB won't affect the oxygen levels and the cooler would assist in keeping the water warmer, longer. I would lose a little heat in the initial water transfer, but would still be better off in the long run.

This would only be if I anticipated being w/o power for a day or two, as I've gone as long as 4 or 5 hours with no power before, even with the DSB.

That's my plan anyway....

 

[hackman72]

Buy bread and milk!!! Save yourselves!!!

 

[dakota9]

Oh, and wondering if some of those heat packs would come in handy in a situation like this. Maybe drop them in the water to keep the temp from dropping too low.

 

[lifestudent]

Dakota9;442758 wrote: Oh, and wondering if some of those heat packs would come in handy in a situation like this. Maybe drop them in the water to keep the temp from dropping too low.

Most heat packs require that they be kept dry. :unsure:

 

[dakota9]

I'm looking for one particular heat pack that is reusable, is in a thick plastic bag, activated by cracking or breaking the contents, which causes an amazing amount of heat to be released, and then reactivated by boiling the bag in water for 15mins, which makes the contents solid again...... Obviously they can be submerged in water

I was given serveral of these long ago. They have since dissapeared, but trying to find them again.

 

[dakota9]

found it......

http://www.amazon.com/Prism-Technologies-Proheat-Reusable-Warmer/dp/B000C9DCG8/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1262877686&sr=8-15">http://www.amazon.com/Prism-Technologies-Proheat-Reusable-Warmer/dp/B000C9DCG8/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1262877686&sr=8-15</a>


These are great. Instantly heats up to 130 degrees and stays hot for a long time. Recharges in boiling water, fully sealed and should be water safe.

This isn't the exact brand I had, but very simarlar to it.....

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Oxygen will be far more time critical and sensitive than temp. Trust me. Stocking will play a HUGE role in how long it will last.

 

[smoothie]

Yep
Battery operated airstone and some blankets around the tank will get you by for a few hours. Stir the water around every chance you get.

 

[keithb]

My tank is near the fireplace.....