how long can a fowlr tank sit after power dies?

jeffgnz · 02/08/2008, 07:48 PM

Just curious how long my 50gal + 30 gal refugium could handle a power outage? It's a fowlr setup at this stage. Temps in my region are mild. I have a battery backup that can run my circulating pumps for about 4hrs. Just curious in a worst case scenario what is the danger zone? thanks!

bertoni · 02/08/2008, 07:50 PM

That varies a lot depending on how many fish are in the tank. Some fish could easily suffocate in an hour or less in many setups.

BLKTANG · 02/08/2008, 07:51 PM

after 8 or so hours with no water flow to oxygenate the water i would seek alternate mythods of getting some type of exchange going.

BLKTANG · 02/08/2008, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bertoni
That varies a lot depending on how many fish are in the tank. Some fish could easily suffocate in an hour or less in many setups.

Yes a big factor is how many fish?

My statement was based upon 2 or 3 fish.

jeffgnz · 02/08/2008, 07:53 PM

I ask because power failures are common in my area especially in winter (southern hemisphere). I plan to get an LPG generator wired into my house that can keep power going for days if required. Until then I should be ok.

NewFish3 · 02/08/2008, 08:02 PM

jeffgnz

Iam new to all of this, However I have friends that have been this hobby for a few years. I have a generator backup but they have said to get a battery powered pump or a car battery & a power converter..... Just a thought.

NewFish3

jsr · 02/08/2008, 08:05 PM

I have friends who use standard computer UPS units. They are cheap and can run a small water pump or air pump for a few hours. I hear that using an airstone is a little better then a pump because your putting oxygen into the water.

NewFish3 · 02/08/2008, 08:10 PM

ah YES...jsr

You have a good point there...... as my wife tells me all the time You also have a hole in your head...buts thats beside the point ( hehehe ) Just kidding

REEFKEEPA · 02/08/2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jsr
I have friends who use standard computer UPS units. They are cheap and can run a small water pump or air pump for a few hours. I hear that using an airstone is a little better then a pump because your putting oxygen into the water.

Wrong.
Airstones don't put anything in the water.
Get a big UPS and it can run a small Power head @ 7watts for a long time.
Point that powerhead at the surface of the tank and you should get OK gas exchange for more than just a couple of hours.

02/08/2008, 07:48 PM	#1
jeffgnz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 206	how long can a fowlr tank sit after power dies? Just curious how long my 50gal + 30 gal refugium could handle a power outage? It's a fowlr setup at this stage. Temps in my region are mild. I have a battery backup that can run my circulating pumps for about 4hrs. Just curious in a worst case scenario what is the danger zone? thanks!

02/08/2008, 07:50 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	That varies a lot depending on how many fish are in the tank. Some fish could easily suffocate in an hour or less in many setups. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/08/2008, 07:51 PM	#3
BLKTANG Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Never,Never Land Posts: 7,061	after 8 or so hours with no water flow to oxygenate the water i would seek alternate mythods of getting some type of exchange going. __________________ We the few have done so much,for so long,for so little.That we are now qualified to do anything with nothing. ____________________________________________________________________________ Current Tank Info: RR 90 Maganvore sump,250w Hamilton fixture,VorTec's ASM skimmer.

02/08/2008, 08:02 PM	#6
NewFish3 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,096	jeffgnz Iam new to all of this, However I have friends that have been this hobby for a few years. I have a generator backup but they have said to get a battery powered pump or a car battery & a power converter..... Just a thought. NewFish3 __________________ On a scuba dive in the Cayman Islands, I kept thinking.........Why is that Fish getting bigger.........Then it hit me Current Tank Info: 7 years saltwater.. Setting up a 120 gal reef. Office BioCube 14...1 perc clown, 1 royal gramma, 1 six line wrasse, fire shrimp, cleaner shrimp, green stripe, brown shrooms, coco worm, purple leather, Misc CUC

02/08/2008, 08:05 PM	#7
jsr Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Cedar Park, TX Posts: 409	I have friends who use standard computer UPS units. They are cheap and can run a small water pump or air pump for a few hours. I hear that using an airstone is a little better then a pump because your putting oxygen into the water. __________________ Just my grain of salt... Current Tank Info: 135G Oceanic Mixed, 4 x 140W VHO, Octopus NW200, 3 x Koralia 4's, 30G Sump, 140# Live Rock, 120# Live Sand, ATO

02/08/2008, 07:53 PM	#5
jeffgnz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 206	I ask because power failures are common in my area especially in winter (southern hemisphere). I plan to get an LPG generator wired into my house that can keep power going for days if required. Until then I should be ok.

02/08/2008, 08:10 PM	#8
NewFish3 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,096	ah YES...jsr You have a good point there...... as my wife tells me all the time You also have a hole in your head...buts thats beside the point ( hehehe ) Just kidding __________________ On a scuba dive in the Cayman Islands, I kept thinking.........Why is that Fish getting bigger.........Then it hit me Current Tank Info: 7 years saltwater.. Setting up a 120 gal reef. Office BioCube 14...1 perc clown, 1 royal gramma, 1 six line wrasse, fire shrimp, cleaner shrimp, green stripe, brown shrooms, coco worm, purple leather, Misc CUC