If You Know Ahead of Time Take Precautions
If you know that the power will be going out for any length of time stop feeding your fish. When fish are shipped by wholesalers and retailers they are not fed for two or three days ahead of bagging. This reduces fish waste in the water which creates deadly ammonia. Reducing the bioload in the aquarium will help successfully make it through a power outage. Fish can go more than a week without eating and remain healthy in emergency situations.
Short term power outages are not a major concern if they only last for several hours. Should filters and pumps quit running most likely the fish will remain safe. Oxygen is constantly being absorbed in the surface of the water in the aquarium. Pumps and filters serve the purpose of agitating the water’s surface in order to make the oxygen absorption. Unless the tank is overstocked it should be fine.
In the event of a lengthy power outage, a portable air pump will be useful. Battery operated portable air pumps are used for fishing to keep bait alive in a small bucket. In the aquarium, they are just as effective at keeping your fish alive. Most of them run off AA sized batteries which are easy to find in any store or market.
Portable air pumps function the same way that plugin air pumps work. Turn them on and place the airstone in the bottom of the tank. The air movement of the bubbles creates a current and moves the water’s surface where it absorbs oxygen.
Prepare Water Ahead of Time
Bagging fish in plastic bags can also be a versatile way to evacuate. Make sure you have plenty of time to make it out safely ahead of a natural disaster. Bag the fish and secure them with rubber bands so they can be reopened and closed. You will need to open them to make water changes every day or two. Place as few fish as comfortable in each bag. Fill each bag only one-third full in order to provide plenty of air for the fish’s water to absorb. Air in the bags should last for several days and will be replenished when making water changes. 5-gallon buckets with a sealed lid will be a good portable solution to having enough water for water changes. Use it sparingly though in case you can’t get more water in a timely manner.
Handy Items in the Event if a Power Outage
5 Gallon Bucket
Plastic Fish Bags
Rubber Bands
Portable Air Pump
Fish Net
Sharpie to Mark Bags (Species/Date/Times)
Aquarium Tubing for Siphoning
Turkey Baster or Pipette
When the power is back on and it’s time to move the fish back into the aquarium make sure to acclimate them to the tank. Start the filters and pumps as soon as it is okay to do so. Wait briefly to make sure everything is back to normal. Testing the water parameters with a good water testing kit is advisable to make sure everything is within proper parameters. Float your fish for 15 minutes to adjust to temperature differences and put them into the aquarium.