Going on vacation... filtration?

Liz

Liz

AC Members
Mar 25, 2005
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Okay so my family is making me go on a trip for a week and here in Florida we have frequent power outtages, especially this time of the year, so I am wondering whether I should just turn off my filters so they don't get damaged if the power goes off and comes back on. Would my fish be okay without filtration for a week? You can see my stock in my specs.
 
NO! don't turn your filtration off. Just leave it on. I don't know what damage outtages would do to the filters you have, maybe get a grounded power strip.

Unless there is something about your tank that can keep it filtered that you didn't tell about, you'll kill your biofilter and have to recycle. Plus you'll get a bunch of ammonia. I messed with taking a filter off a tank for a little bit once, and it wasn't fun.
 
PS get a neighbor to come over and do something that you would have done if the power goes out. what puts the power out, storms or energy conservation?
 
The filters should restart when the power comes back on. If the power is out for a limited time, the tank will be fine. If it's normally off for days, you'll need to have someone who can take some steps to preserve the biomedia and fish. Turning the filter completely off, unless the tank is heavily planted, will result in serious nitrogen problems.
 
Storms cause the power outtages, and they usually last a few minutes to a few hours. Can filters restart themselves? Every time that the power has gone out, when it comes back on they get noisy and grindy sounding so I fill them with water and they're fine. If I don't do that, couldnt the motor get damaged or something?
 
What kind of filter are you using? The media compartment and siphon should NOT drain if the power goes out--yours might be setup improperly.
 
Mine's also drain when I unplug it, and I have to pour in some water so that the water level is above the propellor thing. Otherwise, the filter won't work and it will make an annoying gurgling sound, and it will probably ruin the filter if water is not in there. But it's a cheap Profile filter, so I guess that's why it happens. I see your concern. I would just leave it on, and maybe have someone check on it once in the middle of the week or you can buy a new filter that doesn't drain the the power goes out, and transfer the filter media.
 
I have an aquaclear, which I think redid itself after the last power outtage, and a crappy Cascade 100 (temporary).
 
What's the water level like? I have AC's on several aquariums, and the only time they drain when the power goes off is when the water level is way too low--like below where the tubes join. If this is covered, the water should just stop being pushed out, with very little draining back into the tank, leaving the siphon intact. Can't speak on the Cascade, but very few HOB filters should drain if the power goes out if setup correctly.
 
I'll make sure to fill the tanks up nicely, then.

The water level on my 25 gallon (with the cascade) was quite low last time the power outted.
 
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