HOW TO: Survive A Power Outage - Aquariums

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The updated version of this video: • How to heat your aquar...
A video on how to survive a power outage with your aquarium. While this will not be a common occurrence for most hobbyists, it can be devastating when it happens. So this video will serve as a rule of thumb for being prepared for what could wipe out the entire contents of your fish tank. Be proactive and prepared. you will regret it if you are not.

[@thekingofdiy]

The updated version of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/opixfqKhbMunZ7c

[@Ttoeknee01]

Thanks for the advise. My power company is going to cut the power for a couple of hours and your video has so much great ideas to help me deal with the outage. Keep up the good work.

[@johndom4451]

"kidding, I don't live in an igloo"..... that made me LOL!

[@ranjitjagtap625]

Very informative. Thanks for uploading 👍

[@jaydendsin7350]

Thank you for the information. I'm about to start fish keeping and was wondering what the answer to this question was. I've added a battery powered air pump to my list of equipment I need because we often experience power outages during storms and it's hurricane season. Thank you.

[@anthonyklein9980]

great advice glad you are still posting your great videos for all of us hope to see more in the future

[@shanesilverio5904]

Really cool and nice tips you gave us joey , thanks for the tips

[@NickClarkDrums]

It's so great seeing how far you've come. I just watched your interview with Racheal and I'm glad that you're doing videos that are easier on you and you're happy and being yourself in your videos Also this is just kind of funny hahahaha

[@bigsky445]

Perfect video! Your knowledge NEVER fails! Thank you!

[@xlWillyWonkalx]

I've always loved fish but never had lots of money to put into it...so I've had a 5gallon for a while. Now I will be upgrading to an 100 gal aquarium and I need lots of things to know and be prepared....especially when theres a power outage. I live in a cold state and storms cause power outages a lot so this was real informational thanks man!

[@tmeran5000]

Great advice! Thank you!

[@Rahne_Aeon]

Thanks Joey. I just had an evening blackout, me bad, no battery back up for aeration, so I used prime for ammonia, opened up the window and manually aerated water ( swirling water around ) lucky I was home. Glad I am not in Canada! Still Aus winters are cold. Used bacterial agent when power came back on. Blackout was 1.5 hours - nothing really. Have learned my lesson. Watched a marine aquariast with a lot of stock, full on blackout and no back up anything! Thanks again Joey, love your work and inspiration))))

[@TheKojak76]

Great tips. One thing that I have on hand is a 12v marine battery and ab 850 gph bilge pump. I have a 240 gallon and I figure the bilge pump will run my sump for quite some time. Just figured I would share. I love your videos and have learned alot. Keep up the good work.

[@Tstorms]

I have a fairly decent amount of warm water fish, but we have been getting of lightning storms here lately so I was constantly worrying about these power outages. Thanks for this video!

[@dankfrank3262]

Thanks for the help, I have power outages coming up this week because of electrical work in my area. I was kinda freaking out but after watching this I think I’ll be fine haha

[@Reefahholic]

Great info man!

[@freshlove7926]

Very engaging . Like your videos !

[@declancargill9864]

Simple but genius, love it.

[@jebakureiJedi]

I m signing up to your facebook, I love your vidz man they all very informative and I always learn something thanx a lot man keep it up :D

[@F0RUM155]

I'm in Dartmouth and have been keeping fish since I was like 8 haha. Like you I've recently bought a house so now it's time to start that huge tank I've always wanted. Hard to find people around here with the same interest in the hobby... I wanted to start a high tech planted tank but found myself ordering everything online because we simply do not have the demand for it.. I'm a journeyman carpenter and I'm stoked to start some projects I picked up from your vids bro!!

[@michelletoni3067]

great video, thank you 🙏

[@pjvenner]

Useful tips, certainly should help for smaller tanks. I would suggest testing the plastic bottle before putting it in the tank though as like others have said, some types will deform with the risk of boiling water leaking into the tank. It might also be good to place the filter media in a narrow tube (like the outlet pipe of an undergravel filter) with the air bubbling through it.

[@gtirlad08]

Top tips.........top man,great video mate keep um coming

[@CharlosPuyol89]

You're awesome man! 👍

[@julieknight3059]

Thanks for the video!

[@scprepper2672]

if we have one of your diy internal filters, will the bacteria survive since theyd stay submerged?

[@toanao1]

Wow you’ve changed a lot over the years!

[@BOOTClan13]

hey joey how do u feel or if you have any knowledge on to using a U.P.S battery system? uninterrupted power supply. I'm preparing to buy a house that I'm going to dedicate a tank room too and looking for insite on battery back ups save the generator for the refrigerator

[@djsplash2728]

Hey Joe thanks men u always helping out great vid.

[@tonytone7975]

joey very good vid! thanks for the info

[@BeanFart]

thank you for the help. i live in south Florida and we get a lot of hurricans and loose power for a few weeks. this will definitly help

[@F0RUM155]

Great vid, loved the Canada bit.

[@MrRvbrown]

Great Job!!

[@IvIustangsvt2003]

i messaged you a few months ago about making a video like this. thanks for the info. a lot of great tips.

[@manoslykos]

Thank you very much for this video.All the tips are very useful!!!!!!

[@dfoster6162]

Great information, always thought of this happening, will take steps in the video to help. We that 17 tanks, lots to go bad, THANK YOU!

[@natelogston]

great video topic joey! a lot of good information here. hi randy. my opinion is that carbon is ok for brief (< month) durations at a time but not all the time. it captures good and bad bacteria and aquariums tend to be more healthy if the good bacteria is free to accumulate and help the nitrification process. i use it occasionally to polish water or remove meds. you're right, if you have a lot of money in your aquarium you should probably have a generator of some sort, but good tips here.

[@Relemdeen]

that was a pretty good video, i live in canada too so i know im going to have to use these for myself a great number of times. im still new to fish keeping (only been at it for a year) but i was wondering what the negative aspects of carbon is. if anyone can tell me why it should not be used.

[@oscarqp]

thanks for your tips

[@juanfruhlingdecastro8909]

Its about time you made a video message me saying whens the next

[@CaptainSavageAquatics]

Another great video Joey! Keep'em coming!

[@codylee2593]

Do you have a video on a diy back up battery setup

[@AquaStudent]

Great information in this video. A $15 battery powered airpump can save your tank! I also like the temperature regulation ideas. I was wondering how you recommended heating the tank. Good call. Careful with pouring hot water into the plastic bottle though...that could be sketchy.

[@nyinfamous2k2]

Great vid. ive done the ice cubes in a bag to cool the water down before but dammmnnn I wish I had thought of the boiling water in a bottle to warm it up for my last large long power outtage.

[@htfofinesssdisd.6448]

Hey joey I have a hurricane coming next week I’m in ft Pierce Florida RIGHT where the damn thing is supposed to be coming so I’m tripping. I have two tanks on my screened in porch one almost 100 gal with a sump that you showed me how to build. Thanks for that. And a 20 long filled with a batch of fry and sectioned off for my African leaf baby. Any way I watched the video, ordered bat powered air pumps and making sponge filters tomorrow. Now the only question I have is can I turn the air pump on and off to save batteries? Or do I need to leave it on 24/7?

[@DDogOfCascadia]

"... the temperature of my igloo drops fairly quickly. (no pause) Kidding, I don't live in an igloo."

[@AquaPorn]

Some good tips! Love your vids! But, I am having no luck working with acrylic....can't keep it from getting warped and waved. I just suck at it.lol

[@Yoav76]

Thanks for the video! Do you recommend hooking up the filter, air pump and heater to a computer UPS? If yes, which would you choose?

[@whiskeyinthejar24]

+Yoav Traeger Yes to the filter and air, no to the heater. A heater will suck a ups dry very quick.

[@dudzjr4343]

im building the plywood aquarium. which one do you think is better to use. glass or acrylic for the viewing window and what thinkness

[@kiki-drawer2669]

I have a 5 gallon that I can just move to another room with power, but I need something for my 30 gallon cause I finally want to stock the tank with more then 5 small fish. These are precautions no one talks about durring fish keeping so thank you!

[@dyldavis123]

Really great tips. really appreciate this and all the ideas you give to the community man. lol that was hilarious: "I'm kidding i don't live in an igloo".

[@DylanLasich04]

Awesome tips Joey. Whats funny is just this morning, I was actually browsing the net trying to find ways to keep your aquarium safe during a power outtage, and then the odds of you making a video about it the very same day is pretty crazy! So thanks for the guide, I will be sure to go purchase a butane stove top and battery pump. Did not even think about those.

[@joshua7508]

Question ... if it is important for essential bacteria to stay alive on filter media what do I do when the media needs to be renewed on a monthly basis ?

[@Gladiator333166]

Where you been joey mate ? Missed your videos fella ;-)

[@LeatherfaceNL]

great tips!! i do wanna know how you cool the tank with boiling water tho :-P . @7:50 -8:08

[@AlanSurgeoner]

Now everyone knows why stockings smell of fish ,lol.

[@BOOTClan13]

thanks so much my power just went out and immediately looked you up....luckly my car has a power inverter and surprisingly powers my canister filter and air pump.

[@AquaStudent]

That's rough. It was in the negatives Fahrenheit here this morning (approximately -20 C) It's way too cold for me... Stay warm

[@MrSuperbigun77]

where can i get the wall powered one that comes on with powet cut

[@kzev]

I'd definitely go for a good UPS, for whomever has invested a considerable amount of money on their fish it should be the way to go. Loved the video anyway, great tips!

[@Nemisari]

Have you thought of using hand warmers to heat the tank? They last for around 7 hours at a pretty decent temperature. You can get them for about $10 for a pack of 10 in Canadian Tire. Might be an easier option than boiling water

[@kiki-drawer2669]

Sounds smart! I wanted if putting one in a plastic bag and letting it sink would help?

[@deeptruth2012]

hi great video...i have a question please help.. I have a 240g reeftank you can check it out to see what i have in it, if it helps explain what i need to do. My tank is 240g 96x24x24 what size battery pump would i need to keep my tank oxygenated during a power ottage? If the tank is heavily stocked? Please let me no which pump to get and if i need any bubbler what type and material i will need... Thanks!!

[@MaudePoison]

I'm from the Bahamas and power can be out for weeks sometimes. If I run it on generator for a time (night) can I save them? And if I do that would feeding them once a week work?

[@Left_coast_bullies]

Every 3 hours at least in dayttime And feed after 4 days

[@KevinsCaninesAndAquatics]

Two things. One you could also use this if something stops working/breaks. Second, My question is could you put the link to the battery powered air pump, cord/battery powered and battery powered air pumps. Could you put the link to the air pump that plugs into the wall and automatically uses the battery if there is no electricity?

[@rayechatellier6133]

Hi I'm in New Orleans, La we have no electricity I have a cyclid 2inchs my neighbor 5 houses away has a generator can I carry "Fred" in a small cooler everyday till we get electricity to get him some oxygen? I will see if my neighbor will take "Fred" to his house till we get electricity anywhere from a few days to a month. Should he say yes should I move my 20 gallon tank or would he be alright in something else? Any suggestions? Thanks for any help you can give us! Help Save Fred!! Please and thank you 🤗

[@ARTIS1410]

Hey Joey can you do a video about keeping your tank cool in a hot summer.. had this as my main problem last year..

[@crowsong8097]

I enjoy the fact that he had to make a disclaimer about not living in an igloo, lol.

[@Just_your_plant_dad]

im so gad i found this video! where i live in canada right now we might have the power shut down because of the falling ice i was scared that my betta might not live trew it sence my aquariums are in the absement where my room is and whiout power it gets very cold thank you for making this video

[@apolloswan6113]

I've had tanks for a long time but I've never thought about this. I think I'm going to end up getting a standby generator.

[@danielgeckos]

whats the reason for puting the hot water in the water bottle besides burning the fish and raising temps to fast? keep the vids coming there just great!

[@catboybubs]

Can I use a fishing air pump

[@suzannecormier7373]

How long does it take for the bacteria to die in your tank/filter?

[@TheReefBros]

can you tell me where you get the air pumps that auto turn on when the power goes out. thanks!!

[@SportyChicChick]

How much of a water change?

[@chrisjefferson264]

This pump saved my tank during Hurricane Ike, my tank was heavily stocked and I only had 2 fish die with the power out for 3 days. I think if It would have lasted 1 more day they all would have passed.

[@Rahne_Aeon]

3 days...how did you cope, for you!

[@dudzjr4343]

is it bad to use? because i use it on all of my tanks. should i stop useing it?

[@oscarlover131]

I was dying at the igloo comment!

[@davidc4179]

Hi hot/boiling water anf plastic bottles don't get along well. To heat the aquarium shouldn't we be using glass bottles?

[@djsplash2728]

Hey joe. Was wondering why havent done a cideo with your ray in the knew aquaroum u biild the 540 , I know people would like to see how they look . Thanks pal.

[@mikeyb5612]

Life saver!

[@teaforthree1]

How about a battery backup, like cyber power etc, for your filter? My filter has built in heater so I think it would do the whole job

[@liam50m]

Quick question how comes you suggest you shouldn't be using carbon, as I'm new to the hobby and I'm currently using carbon in my filtration system?

[@MrDoberman101]

update on the flowerhorn, RTG and the new monster tank please....

[@Chilinoploopy]

If you have a sponge filter can't you just hook the battery operated air pump straight to it?

[@bezeebee]

I'm fairly new to this whole indoor aquarium thing. As i am trying to move some of my fish indoor, I've been watching alot of videos lately and over and over I've been hearing of air stone for surface agitation for gaseous exchange, filters, ammonia buildup etc and now after this video; i'm no better off than before. I live in the Caribbean and own some fish that are stored in an 'old sugar copper cistern' covered with galvanize sheet (with space for a little sunlight) that has been their home for well over 20 years. There,s no filter, or air stone in the "aquarium", just the fresh water, fish and a few rocks for them to swim through and my fish are alive! So how would you explain that? oh... I hardly do water changes, properly every two years or longer, their waste typically sinks to the bottom and the water is clear.

[@turkeyburglarjones6148]

+ZadyB What kind of fish? Different fish can handle things differently.

[@Starbux45]

Joey, surprised you didn't suggest putting some of the media into one of your DIY plastic bottle fluidized bed filters with the battery powered air pump. Kill two birds with one stone with that set up. Thanks for the great tips and keep the videos coming!

[@meisterjtv7097]

How long till the bacteria dies?

[@timothystewart1732]

you need to also use a check valve to keep your aquarium from draining.

[@Donotlikebadpeople]

When u say igloo I was shocked for a moment lol but anyways cool vid

[@GabriaTregarde]

Man, I could have used this info before Hurricane Sandy hit. :( Still, thank you for sharing this. Least I'll be prepared for next time.

[@astrobot7]

How much time untill possible loss of fish?

[@Left_coast_bullies]

After 3 hours it's an emergency

[@AmericanAquariumInformation]

The good ol days 😁

[@conster175]

hey i have an idead can u show us a diy solar panel backup energy source for a aquarium so we dont have t o pay for batteries

[@naturalaquatics3382]

i heard that you should do like a water change a day or something

[@mitju7]

Just a thought, It's a bit more expensive but if you have a real expensive fish it may be worth it. I've seen computer UPS (uninterruptible power supply) been used on other things asides from computer systems I dont see why you couldn't just plug one of these in and save alot of the headache it engages automatically and it also solves the heating/cooling problem if you are away :/

[@IvIustangsvt2003]

you never replied back lol. its all good tho. no need for sorry on the time. you are doing viewers a favor and sharing. thanks again =D

[@carolinekimani7535]

,, how to comment I love this thing how do you even make this ever

[@citlalliir]

THIS WAS MADE 5 YEARS AGO OML!!!!

[@-jol2don-793]

Another quick tip that worked for me when the power in my house stopped working. I borrowed power from my neighbour via long extension cable until the electrician came and fixed the problem.

[@Hekates_Realm]

+The king of DIY Hahaha.. You made a funny.. :p Igloo man.. :p