confusion

K

KidNano

New Member
OK.... so I've been thinking a little bit lately about what I would do to save my tank if there was a power outage or something like that. Living in So Cal that's gotta be on all reefers minds out here.

So I'm confused about one thing.

Why is it that a tank will crash and you'll lose so much after a power outage that maybe lasts a day, but coral and fish can survive in little plastic baggies for days at a time?

I'm sure there is a reason, but I can't think of it.
 
T

Trogdor

New Member
Stagnant water is the issue. There is no oxygen transfer when there is no water movement. When they are in bags and being transported, they are almost always in a state of constant motion. This oxygenates the water with the air that is in the bags. If you left a bag unmoved long enough, the specimens will die. That's why it is recommended that they be started on acclimation as soon as they arrive. This way the water doesn't have a chance to become stagnant and stop exchanging oxygen.

A tank can theoretically go a few hours without water movement but beyond that I wouldn't make any guarantees. If you do loose power, the most important item in your tank is a pump that can circulate the water. Temperatures can drop temporarily without much effect but the lack water circulation is the killer.
 
T

The Kapenta Kid

New Member
There are fairly inexpensive battery operated air pumps that may make the difference between life and death in a power outage that lasts several hours. Just make sure you always have a stock of working batteries.
 
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