Survived our first power outage....

[pinkorchid]

Well we got hit with our first winter storm of the season....a little later than usual. Guessing about 8 inches of snow with some freezing rain in the mix. The power went out at around 6am, was out for about 3hrs. I was in a bit of a panic as the tank temp was dropping. It's usually right around 78...went down to 73-74. It didn't appear to stress them out (just me...LOL :D)....hoping there won't be any ill effects.

We normally don't have too many power outages but I have realized I'm not prepared. Will be ordering some battery operated air pumps....not that it would have helped the temps  :-\

[Bergy]

one air pump should be ok...  the tank really doesnt need that much o2


You might want to look at a upc device to give your power head some juice to keep going for a bit... water circulation is equally important.. .if you can keep at least one powerhead running, that will also help.


I use water bottle to keep temperature also... so in the summer i have fozen water bottles, in the winter you might want to have some HOT water bottles ...

they work amazingly well...  the will keep the temp pretty stable while the ambient temperature changes...

good luck, and enjoy the cool lookiin hard white stuff will ya???

[Learner]

OOh you poor thing, you must have been so stressed!!  :(
Was going to suggest the hot water bottle thing too, assuming you have a camping stove or the like in order to boil up the water.
So lucky in my part of the world, winters are getting weirder weatherwise,more wet and warm than cold and snowy  ???, but nothing like yours; it must be beautiful though, especially for Christmas, I'm sure your little one loved it, snow angels and all that eh? 8)
Fingers crossed for you, and the tank  ;D
Tania.

[pinkorchid]

Thanks Bill...was wondering if I'd need more than one. I'll look into getting something so I can keep a power head going.
We don't currently have any equipment to get us hot water when the power is out....will have to check around. Love the water bottle idea...bet the ice ones will come in handy in the summer too. Thanks for the tip :)

Yes...we actually just got in from playing in the snow, hehe. Mick loved it, Piper not so much...this is her first "real" winter. Last year she wasn't walking yet so this is all new to her. She better get used to it... :D

Crazy how the weather is changing around the world though, eh? Our winters are also different. Used to be bitter cold alot...too cold to go out and enjoy. But seems to stay on the warmer side of cold now. Lots of snow though....

[Bergy]

yea, you will have to figure out how to heat the water, i have gas stove so, power isnt too much of an issue with that, but then again, when it gets cold here, it drops below 50, hehehehe  and tha is severe...  usuall ambient in winter is around 65-75 at night


and the office store power back up things are usually good enough for a power head for hours...

it will also work on your pc.. so bonus...

hehehe

[cruzincaril]

u must have warmer temps down where u are bill..its already been in the 30s up here..yes that is a dilemma..how to heat up the water in an outage

[Bergy]

you can get those chemical heat pads that they use for hand warmers and for shipping..

and just double zip lock them and plop them into the sump or hang them in the tnak


gotta think creativly when it comes down to things like this


It all depends on how far do you want to go for protection..

[pinkorchid]

^^^I would have NEVER thought of those heat packs!!! Thanks :)
I ordered a battery operated pump earlier this week but was still unsure about the heat issue.

On my mind since we're in for alot of snow this week....

[Learner]

Hope the tank copes, with the back up you've prepared you should be fine.

Good luck  ;D