To head off any "I lost everything, there was nothing I could do!" threads, lets talk about being prepared.
Easiest path is a generator, either whole-house ($$$) or enough to run your fridge ($) for the fam and your powerheads/heater, maybe even alternate them.
Some vehicles can power a system for a while, gas is better in this instance since you can keep filling up the vehicle and idle it for an hour every 4 hours to run the tank and necessities. I once ran my tank during a hurricane for 3 days using a buddies Tacoma.
Can do the battery backup method. Telegram has been talking lots about an option there for like $120 you can get a pretty stout backup.
They also make the battery powered airpumps which are cheap.
We have the advantage that most of our hurricanes happen in summer so the tank wont get cold super fast (not like the winter storms). So just keeping water moving and oxygenated is key.
Also, be careful about areas that go anoxic, especially sulfur denitrators. DO NOT let those sit for a few days and then just turn them back on circulating. It will kill the tank.
Any other hot tips from the old salts? Questions from the new folks?
There is no excuse to lose your pets unless you have to abandon your house or lose power for weeks. Mitigations go from cheap to expensive, but we other reefers can help you out too. Holding livestock or lending a generator. So don't be shy to ask. I'd rather lend my generator than see your fish/coral die.
Easiest path is a generator, either whole-house ($$$) or enough to run your fridge ($) for the fam and your powerheads/heater, maybe even alternate them.
Some vehicles can power a system for a while, gas is better in this instance since you can keep filling up the vehicle and idle it for an hour every 4 hours to run the tank and necessities. I once ran my tank during a hurricane for 3 days using a buddies Tacoma.
Can do the battery backup method. Telegram has been talking lots about an option there for like $120 you can get a pretty stout backup.
They also make the battery powered airpumps which are cheap.
We have the advantage that most of our hurricanes happen in summer so the tank wont get cold super fast (not like the winter storms). So just keeping water moving and oxygenated is key.
Also, be careful about areas that go anoxic, especially sulfur denitrators. DO NOT let those sit for a few days and then just turn them back on circulating. It will kill the tank.
Any other hot tips from the old salts? Questions from the new folks?
There is no excuse to lose your pets unless you have to abandon your house or lose power for weeks. Mitigations go from cheap to expensive, but we other reefers can help you out too. Holding livestock or lending a generator. So don't be shy to ask. I'd rather lend my generator than see your fish/coral die.
