Recommended emergency kit

[Sk8r]

1. Polyfilter---will remove many contaminants from tank fast, incl. copper, aluminum, etc. Your nephew sinks your tv remote in your reef? Polyfilter and carbon.
2. enough carbon to run a bag on short notice: biologic contaminants including coral spit. When in doubt run both carbon and Polyfilter.
3. if you can take it safely, an anti-allergic med. For you, if you get stung. Topical spray also exists. If you can't take it safely, talk to your doc about what to do if you get a bad sting.
4. a Penn-Plax battery powered airpump. Keep replacing the batteries, and this baby can keep your tank alive. It won't drive the sump, but placed in an out of the way corner of your dt, it can keep your fish breathing if a power-out goes over 8 hours (most tanks can go 8 unless too crowded or too hot).
5. a leakproof plastic container that can hold ice cubes: float it, if the AC also went out: keep tank temp under 85: hot water loses oxygen. If it's winter, keep the temperature above 62.8. Low temperatures are not a problem for most things: it lowers oxygen demand and actually helps your tank stay alive.
6. gloves. lotsa exam gloves. First time you have to scoop up demised anemone or clam, you will thank me. The smell takes a week to leave your skin...and days longer to leave your imagination.
7. a set of buckets or containers sufficient to hold everything alive except your rock. With more bubblers. If a tank crash is imminent, get everything out and give the tank time to recover so you won't have to re-cycle. Put everything very likely to live in the best buckets, next the maybes, and then things you think are a lost cause in the other.
8. enough salt on hand to completely redo your tank...because---emergencies. Usually on the days the lfs is closed.
9. if you are a VERY good customer, ask your lfs for the phone number that can reach them on their 'working' day, when they're closed to the public. This can save you. And never use it except if you are at risk of losing your tank.
10. backup pumps. Mixing pumps (used to hasten salt mixing) can serve this purpose.
11. towels. Thirsty ones. Never throw away an old beach or bath towel. Water happens.
12. a high-decibel water alarm, under 20.00, from Amazon. Sits on the floor of stand or near stand and screams if there's a leak.
13. remember that if you are life-and-death desperate for salt water, conditioned tap is ok; and if you are in a hurry, putting a killer pump into a barrel for a mixing pump can speed up the mixing. Salt water should be clear before use, because undissolved minerals are not kind to gills. Neither is toxin, so sometime in your career you may have to make a judgement call.
14. membership in your local reef club: these are the guys who will lend you a pump or a barrel of salt on New Year's Eve, because---friendship. And show up to help. Don't be shy. This isn't a society club: it's a face-to-face users' group. Just go to meetings, learn names, offer your help, as they offer theirs.

[rona74]

thank you for that
ill be sure use some of those recommendation

[CindyK]

Thanks Sk8r! Adding the items I don't already have to the "need" column of my growing spreadsheet.

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[Capsle]

Thank Sk8r! I love your posts minus the continued deficit I am incurring. Lol.


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[Tanthaitrung]

Thanks for your post Sk8r

It must be sticked

Best regards
Khanh

[Ron Reefman]

Having just gone through a 30 gph leak in the base of my 180g tank a week ago, most of the items you listed were pretty important to have around. The only thing I borrowed from a nearby club member was a big rubbermaid tub for the corals and inverts I couldn't fit in 3 other tanks.

Your local club can be a HUGE help in emergencies and even just as a place to buy and sell stuff local or get advise and see other people's tanks in person and ask questions.

[CStrickland]

Good advice. I've also found myself needing 2 things on short notice:
- a breeder box type of isolation unit for sick or bullied fish until I could figure out what was going on.
- a couple of meds, I've had to treat bacterial infections on the fly, but I would imagine there's others like maybe for velvet. Not experienced enough to be specific re: which ones, but it can be stressful to try and find that stuff after the fish is sick.

Stuff I haven't needed but keep around:
Clove oil for humane euthanasia
This product that claims to help with stress, something about the slime coat. No idea if it would actually help.

[Volcmreefer]

This needs to be a sticky thread at the top of the page. Great information as always SK8R!

[johnike]

You forgot alcohol.
A good stiff drink before tackling an emergency can bring calming effects.

[Sk8r]

It'll also make you feel better if you had an accident starting a siphon.