Re: [GSAS-Member] Storm Power Outages

[Matt Staroscik <matt@wrongcrowd.com>]

I was going to come ask the same thing. I got power back this morning 
after about 2.5 days of outage. My house got as low as 47F in the rooms 
without fireplaces. With the fireplace I had periods as high as 60F, but 
55F was more typical.

My 90 gal fw community tank got as low as 64F but I was able to keep it 
around 67F most of the time. To keep it warm, I removed some water, 
brought it to a near boil, and added it back to the tank.I'd do that 
repeatedly until the temperature got up near 70F, which would buy me a 
few hours... then I started again. (Not the best idea maybe, but it was 
all I could think of; putting in bags of hot water just didn't make a 
difference in 90 gal.) So far, my only casualties have been the green 
texas cichlid fry and a Singapore shrimp.

My 24 gal reef tank was hit hard too. I floated ziploc bags of hot water 
in it to bring up the temp, but it still lingered in the low 70s most of 
the time. (Normally it is 80F.) I used a DC-AC inverter to power the 
tank's pumps off my car, but I could only do that for a few hours a day. 
The low temp, poor circulation, and lack of light was pretty hard on my 
corals. I think my nice big xenia isn't going to make it but I am 
hopeful that it will be the only loss. My anemones and brain coral are 
looking sad but I think they will pull through. One of the fish was 
half-dead this morning, but perked up when the juice came back on.

With both tanks the next few days will probably tell the tale, I 
wouldn't be surprised to have more losses in the reef tank at least.

I also have a 20 gal fw tank at work in Bellevue which as far as I know 
is still without power. I have a couple of ropefish in there and I fear 
I will find the worst when I go in tomorrow, the temp is probably in the 
50's by now.

I hope everyone is doing OK. If you need a place to plug in a tank or 
heated bucket let me know.

- Matt S. in Kirkland
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