The Power's Out

[Brent]

It's been out almost all day today and isn't supposed to be back up until some time tomorrow. I'm not at home, so there's nothing I can do... My question is- will my DPs survive without their heater for that long?

[bigfatfish]

Maybe you could wrap the tank in bubble wrap or something? Or, would it be safe to fill watertight containers with hot water (if you can get hot water with your power cut) & put them in the tank. I guess you would have to stir the water regularly to disperse the heat & oxygenate.
We only ever get a power cut for an hour at a time.
Fingers crossed he will be fine - they are pretty tough - think about the conditions during shipping etc.

[J-P]

find a rent-all and get a generator. not so much the temp but the ammonia spike. I lost some serious fish the last time we had a power out.

or canadian tire . You might have to travel out of town cause I guarentee all the in town shops are sold out

[bastallard]

Keep an eye on them if the water gets too cold it will stress them and they may get sick.

[Flutter]

He's 13.

[J-P]

he has parents probably with credit cards

[Brent]

All of those suggestions would work fine IF I was home. I'm three hours away and have no way to get home tonight. So really there's no help for them there.

What I'd like to know is if they'll be able to tolerate the low winter temperatures (it's -1 degrees C outside).

[J-P]

depends on the insulation of your house.

that ambiant temp will drop.

What are you using to heat your home?

[Brent]

We use electricity to heat our home. Insulation upstairs is fine (which is where my bedroom, thus the tank, resides) but downstairs it's paper thin and cold even with the heat on. Not sure how relevant that is.

[J-P]

the less insulation the quicker the temp will drop.

If you were on gas you could get some ambiant heat. Oil you are SOL. Wood and you could get a neighbour to fuel the fire every few hours. Electric ... I have a bad feeling about that, but we're rooting for you

[Brent]

Hm. :/

Thanks guys- I'm rooting for my DPs (and my algae eaters too, I guess).

[Pufferpunk]

Have someone throw a heavy blanket over the tank. also, you need to worry about no water movement in there. Someone needs to scoop some water out with a cup & pour it in every hour or so, to make some bubbles.

[Brent]

The water movement isn't going to happen.... But I can get someone to throw a blanket over the tank and I can get them to put the filter cartridges in the tank water. That's about the best that's going to happen, I'm afraid.

e:// Or at least I thought I could. >.>

[J-P]

when will you be returning home? are you on your Toronto tour?

[Brent]

Of course. Mom: "I'm not calling someone at 9:30 at night to go and do that! They won't even know how to! Blah blah blah..." I've pestered her and she just denies everything I say! "No they won't die; Your tank won't crash; The bacteria can survive a day, etc.,"

e:// Not in Toronto. In St. John's (where the airport is) until tomorrow evening.