Guppie, it's cold outside!

S

SidTheSquid

AC Members
Jan 20, 2009
15
0
0
Ireland
Hi, Everyone! :help2:

I live in Ireland (pretty cold for most of the time) and the area where I live is prone to 8-hour long power cuts (three so far this year) and it has put me off trying to set up an aquarium of any type. :cry:

I've read that you can try and maintain water temperature with bottles filled with hot water but that the filter bacteria will start to die within 30 minutes if the water-flow stops.

Does anyone know if it is possible to freeze a filter sponge (water, et al) and just swap it for the ruined sponge when the power resumes or will the freezing process defeat the intended purpose?

Any other solutions would be greatly appreciated. :thumbsup:
 
One Idea. Your power requirements are not too high, a filter and heater. You could purchase a battery and inverter. When the power goes out plug your filter and heater into the inverter and attach the inverter to the battery and you will have several hours of use, depending on the battery sized and power requirements of the filter and heater.

I have an RV and have an all in one unit for emergencies. It has a small wet cell battery, an inverter, and a battery charger. It is all in a plastic case with a carry handle.

Mark
 
Thanks for your help, Mark.

I'm not familiar with the term "inverter" but I guess it is an ac/dc adapter of some sort?

Do you have a brand name I could use to find one of these emergency units on the Web? I searched for battery operated filters but just got references to air-pumps.

Steve.
 
Well if you just want to keep the bacteria alive why not just move the sponge to the tank when/if the power goes out. After all isn't the same bacteria all over the gravel, tank walls, and decor?

Someone should confirm that this works as I am not 100% sure.
 
13enzene said:
Well if you just want to keep the bacteria alive why not just move the sponge to the tank when/if the power goes out. After all isn't the same bacteria all over the gravel, tank walls, and decor?

Someone should confirm that this works as I am not 100% sure.
Click to expand...

Yep...as long as the filter media stays wet it should be OK. A battery powered air pump would be a good idea. <reminds self to get some>

Sid...why not get coldwater fish or cold-tolerant tropical fish? MANY fish can tolerate water in the 60's (15-20C) for short periods. Many folks keep coldwater fish, shrimp and snails that don't even need a heater.
 
Thanks very much for the reassuring replies.

Mark, your link was very helpful and I am reassured, now, that it should be possible to set up a medium size tank.

I'm thinking White Cloud Mountain Minnows...
 
Get a larger tank and it'll maintain temperature for longer periods of time... obviously depends on room temperature but a larger tank can go hours without dropping too much temperature- and most fish can survive below their suggested temperature for a while. Water is a great insulator- more of it you have the more stable the temperature... get an acrylic tank- it'll also help conserve temperature.


Someone correct me if I'm wrong- but - fairly sure that bacteria won't die out in 30 minutes if it's kept wet. Bacteria on the filter I think I've read can last up to 48 hours without water flow.




Personally, I don't think 8hrs without power will kill your fish- even tropicals- but it does depend on tank size and room temperature.

I've read accounts of people in Chicago or other cold parts of the country going without power for a few days without casualty.
 
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