How to prepare for power outages

Actually, the cheap API pH test kit is pretty accurate IMO. I compare it to my Reef Angel pH probe weekly and it is within .1 of the RA. Even without light, there is no reason for the pH to drop that much, that fast. Where is your alk? I am betting you have an issue with water chemistry. The air pumps will also keep the tank oxygenated, which will keep pH up. Keep windows open during an outage if possible, to let fresh air in.

Your temp issue does not really make sense and confuses me as well. If anything, the tank temp should move towards ambient temp slowly. I can't think of any reason a tank with no power would cool down when the ambient temp was 78+.

And yes, no heater on a UPS. Heaters use 150-300 watts depending on size, vs. 4-6 watts for your average powerhead. Heater would deplete the battery in no time.

 

All Power America 2-Stroke Portable Generator — 1200 Surge Watts, 1000 Rated Watts, Model# APG-3004D | 1,000 - 4,999 Watts| Northern Tool + Equipment if that's all you want to power something like this may work and is inexpensive.

 

In order to prevent hijacking this thread, I have posted my levels in the following thread:
http://www.3reef.com/forums/asap/ph-very-very-low-138835.html#post1396870

However, I think that pH is relevant to this to this thread, as pH is an important factor when discussing power outages in general.

My alk is 8.75. I do not believe I have any water chemistry issues, as I indicated in the referenced thread. The fact of the matter is that my pH did drop that low - that fast. When power was restored to the tank, the pH returned to an acceptable value (7.88) in only 30 minutes.

Though I may be wrong, here is what I can imagine is influencing this. Yes, keeping the water oxygenated with pumps will help keep the pH up. However, the other source of oxygen in the water is produced via photosynthesis, which cannot occur without a light source. Thus, it seems possible that, even with an air pump, the dissolved O2 is decreased to some extent during a power outage (w/o light). A second factor to consider is dissolved CO2 in the water. Dissolved CO2 is consumed by photosynthesis (which again cannot occur during a power outage w/o light). This results in increased levels of CO2. CO2 is an intermediate in the carbonate buffer system that we use to buffer the pH in our tank. Altering the CO2 levels will shift equilibrium in this system, thus altering pH.

From this logic, and from my pH issue when the fuse blew, I must advocate that pH is an issue when considering power outages. It is at least a matter for discussion. The simplest solution to this is providing a light source during a power outage. It is possible that a strong flashlight would suffice?

 

This generator is more in my price range. Do you use this generator? If so, is it safe to run indoors? Is it loud?

 

Number 1 rule never run generators too close to a house or in a house. You can run it under an open car port or you can open a garage and run it at the edge so the carbon monoxide will ventilate out of the garage. If you live in an apartment make sure you have a balcony or small yard to run it in/on. If you run a generator in your house you will kill yourself and your aquarium.

It should be a good generator. Norton tools is the best place to buy generators and All Power America is good for it's price. Also if you get a generator expect them to be very loud probably one that small shouldn't be too bad though.

 

So I'm sure many of you have heard about hurricane sandy..


I am in Philadelphia, and we are probably going to get hit. They are calling it frankenstorm.. They are also saying it could turn into a blizzard.

Time to start preparing. I purchased 3 of the azoo battery powered air pumps a few weeks ago. I have to go out and grab some batteries for them today. I will do a water change this weekend, and make plenty of extra fresh saltwater for wc's throughout the week.

We have backup gas baseboard heaters that will heat the apartment if it gets cold. We also have access to a neighbors grill, so we could heat the water if need be...

We are going to suck it up and buy a generator today. The only problem is that we live in an apartment. We have a balcony to put the generator on, but I am not sure how we will get the cord inside. We don't have any windows that actually open. Just sliding glass doors with a window above it. I suppose we could leave the door cracked open. But since this is a hurricane, rain would clearly become a problem. An additional problem with leaving the door open is that the fumes from the generator could come inside... Any suggestions?

 

Get some pipe insulation from HD. It's basically foam tubes that come in various sizes. You can run the cord in and then place the foam tubes up along the door jamb and close the glass door on it (or tape them to the edge of the door. You may have to prop a broom handle on the other side to keep tension on it so it'll stay closed though. Good luck!!!!

 

Don't worry too much about that Frankenstorm stuff, I don't want to offend anyone but, the East coast has very little experience with hurricanes and they freak out and make a Pandemonium every time one looks like it will hit God's country(New England). In Philly you will be fine with flooding, the only thing you may have to worry about is trees(make sure you have your car in a good place). May have to board your windows if it hits as a One or above. Have plenty off flashlights, Canned food, water, batteries, and Gas. Like really make sure you have a lot of Gas,(you won't need this much, but we keep around 300 gallons for hurricanes, I'd say you should at least have 50 gallons) if you want to keep your aquarium it will be your biggest asset. If it comes in as a low One or below don't worry too much, it may look like the end of the world when you look out the window, but it's not. Now 2's can make quite a bit of damage.

 

Multiple areas of New England have lost power for 1+ week over the past few years due to storms. No reason not to be prepared for a power outage.

On that note, time to fuel up the generator

 

I agree. The lack of preparation on a local level makes it even more important for you to be prepared on a personal level. In our area, the infrastructure is made it handle huge amounts of rainwater and wind levels. A small hurricane is a much bigger deal in the northeast due to the infrastructure just not being designed for named storms.