Aquarium Maintenance Archives - Page 3 of 14

From the lighting to the filter, your fish tank relies on various pieces of technology in order to keep your fish safe. If the power goes out, it can disturb your fish as much as the humans and other pets in your household. Being prepared by knowing what fish tank owners should do during a power outage can help protect your livestock from uncomfortable or even dangerous conditions.

How Fish Tank Owners can Protect Livestock During a Power Outage

If the power outage only lasts for a few minutes, there’s no need for concern. If the outage lasts for more than three hours, you may want to consider taking action to protect your livestock. Without power, oxygen in the tank will become depleted, the temperature will drop or rise, and ammonia will build up.

Following are a few ways fish tank owners can protect livestock before and during a power outage.

1. Invest in a backup generator.

Purchase an uninterruptible power system that you can use during the outage. You can buy one at the pet store, a general hardware store, or through power company suppliers.

2. Buy a battery-operated air pump.

If the outage is expected to last less than three hours, a battery-operated air pump may do the trick. Make sure you have spare batteries available at all times.

3. Have extra RODI water on hand.

If the filters are not working, it means the water will get dirtier. If you have our RODI water delivered to your home, make sure you order an extra jug to have on hand. You can use the backup for an extra water change if needed or to create a temporary fish tank if the main fish tank is unusable or unsafe.

4. Include natural filters and bottom feeders in the tank at all times.

If the manmade filter goes out during a power outage, the rocks, gravel, plants, and bottom feeders will help keep the fish tank safer for a little longer. It’s not a permanent solution for a long-term power outage, but it can help temporarily.

5. Maintain the appropriate temperature of the water.

When you live in Arizona and the power goes out, the water may become too warm for the fish to handle. Float a bag of ice cubes on the top of the water occasionally to bring the temperature down if necessary. Be careful not to shock the fish with the ice, and use a temperature gauge to avoid bringing the temperature of the water down too much.

Remember that in addition to the filters, the lights and heaters are likely out as well, so the water may become too cool. If it does, you can wrap a blanket around the outside of the tank. Don’t cover the top.

6. You don’t have to feed them as much as usual.

You don’t want to starve your fish, but you can reduce how much you feed them during the power outage. The less they eat, the less waste they’ll produce, which can help minimize the increase of ammonia levels in the water.

Emergency Services

Seatech Aquariums offers 24/7 emergency services for its customers. If you have a power outage and are concerned about the welfare of your livestock, contact us. We can answer your questions and assist you as needed.

Once you’ve decided that you’re going to have a fish tank installed, the next choice is this: freshwater aquarium or saltwater aquarium.

“How do I possibly decide?” you wonder. “I want all the fish!”

It’s a tough decision, we know. We love them all too. Knowing the pros and cons regarding both freshwater and saltwater tanks, however, may help you make that important decision.

Installing a Freshwater Aquarium: The Good Side

Celestial Pearl Danio

Freshwater aquariums can be easier for beginning hobbyists to maintain.
Freshwater fish are often less expensive and easier to find.
Generally speaking, freshwater fish are often tougher than saltwater fish, so they might live longer.
The tank doesn’t have to be massive in size. Even something as small as a 13-gallon tank might do, depending on how many inhabitants it will house.
Freshwater itself is generally cleaner.

Installing a Freshwater Aquarium: The Bad Side

Live plants in freshwater tanks can get out of control easier. You can choose artificial plants to eliminate this possibility.
If you truly want live plants, you will need to include special equipment, fertilizers, and carbon dioxide, which are added expenses.
Freshwater fish aren’t always as glamorous in appearance, although they are beautiful in their own right.

Installing a Saltwater Aquarium: The Good Side

Powder Blue Tang

The fish can be more colorful.
It’s easier to create an environment that mimics nature when you add live rock and other forms of livestock.
Saltwater tanks and their inhabitants may have more of a story to tell, especially when you can obtain unusual species of fish.
Watching a saltwater tank over time can be more delightful because its appearance changes on a regular basis.

Installing a Saltwater Aquarium: The Bad Side

Salt for the water is an added expense, and mixing the salt into the water can be time consuming. You can eliminate this step as well by ordering a RODI saltwater mix from us for delivery to your home.
The fish can be more expensive.
Maintenance can be more challenging. (Again, helping to maintain your aquarium is what we’re here for.)
The fish tank may need to be bigger because saltwater does not hold as much oxygen as freshwater.

Fair disclosure: Many of the above are generalizations. With good decision making and proper fish tank maintenance, you can reap all of these benefits with either a freshwater aquarium or saltwater aquarium. So truly, it’s all about preference and available space in your home or business.

Good luck in making your choice! Let us know if you need help deciding. And remember: there’s little reason why you can’t have two tanks. And there you have it: the best of it all.

Category Archives: Aquarium Maintenance

What Fish Tank Owners Should Do During a Power Outage