I don't post much anymore, nor have I had much interest in the hobby for the past couple of years. That said, my system was automated enough that I was able to ignore it almost completely for 2-3 years with little consequence other than a thriving hair algae problem. In particular I had many RBTAs that all originated from one that I acquired in 2002, and a pair of true Perculas that I have had since 2003. Also a forest of Sinularia that seemed to thrive regardless of any stressor.
So after last week and 3 days without power or heat I learned;
-Vortex back up doesn't work at all (I hadn't tested it in years)
-B11 battery pumps DO fail even when you do keep a giant pack of spare batteries
-Cheap generators (at least the one I was relying on) can stall out when you are not there to monitor them
So yea, basically a total loss. Fish are definitely dead, not a sign of even a single RBTA (I had around 20), Sinularia forest is melting little by little and I'm not sure if any will survive. I do have a serpent star that seems to have survived but is looking sluggish.
Don't get complacent with this hobby. Murphy's law never goes away, It just bides it's time.
Now I'm left contemplating, start over or move on. Either option seems unthinkable at this point.
So after last week and 3 days without power or heat I learned;
-Vortex back up doesn't work at all (I hadn't tested it in years)
-B11 battery pumps DO fail even when you do keep a giant pack of spare batteries
-Cheap generators (at least the one I was relying on) can stall out when you are not there to monitor them
So yea, basically a total loss. Fish are definitely dead, not a sign of even a single RBTA (I had around 20), Sinularia forest is melting little by little and I'm not sure if any will survive. I do have a serpent star that seems to have survived but is looking sluggish.
Don't get complacent with this hobby. Murphy's law never goes away, It just bides it's time.
Now I'm left contemplating, start over or move on. Either option seems unthinkable at this point.
