How long can a tank live without power?

[clutchcargo]

I assume that without circulation the O2 levels drop and everything in the tank eventually suffocates.
I realize that this depends on bioload, but I was looking for some kind of general time limit in case of power outages this winter.
Any ideas?
C

 

[Eboman]

A couple of years ago, during a hurricane, my power went out in the afternoon.

I "stirred" the water ever hour or so during the day, hoping that would oxygenate the water a little.

The next morning, a yellow tang and a racoon butterfly had died. The smaller fish were distressed, but still alive. I'm assuming the problems were from lack of oxygen. Loss of power is definately not a good thing for more than a few hours.

Therefore, it doesn't take long (my power came on within 24 hours, but I still lost fish). I now have my powerheads on a battery backup (like the ones used for computers). I also have a couple of battery powered air pumps.

Hope that helps,
Eboman

 

[24Tom]

My 30 and 10 gallon lasted 9 hours with one battery operated hagen air pump each. A battery pump is pretty cheap insurance but it is only good if you are home.

 

[suckair]

I havce lost power on my 120 for 12 hours with no bad affects. No loss of live or corals. My big thing was keeping the water warm!

I have no bilballs to keep alive ect. and the tank is a covered system.

Randall

PS I do have a power backup on heaters and pumps now!

 

[Anonymous]

Interesting question since I just lost power last week for 24 hours. Lost a sixline wrasse and royal gramma. Three other fish, two shrimps and multiple crabs and snails were fine. All the corals survived. My 4 inch Derasea clam died 3 days later. I'm still trying to make sense of who lived and who died.

mitch

 

[DKKA]

It really does depend on bioload. I've heard of people losing stuff within hours. OTOH, I've lost power many times, the last time was 24+ hours, and didn't lose a thing. Of course, I keep really low stocking levels (my 55 is my most heavily stocked tank and only has two fish and one hermit - lots of corals though)
Dan

 

[Chucker]

Survival rates also will depend on temperature, for two reasons-
1. More dissolved oxygen can be present at low temps.
2. Low temps can be stressful to critters, but raising them back to your desired level can be even more stressful.

 

[24Tom]

Nathan:

How did you wire the battery pump to come on when the power goes off?

 

[Nathan1]

After an 8 hour blackout I lost a coral beauty.

After that I bought a Penn Plax battery operated air pump. It kicks on when the power goes out.

2 weeks ago I lost power again for almost 12 hours and lost nothing due to the airstone keeping O2 levels up.

Definately buy a backup airstone. It only cost me ~$30 which is cheaper than replacing lost fish or other livestock.

-Nathan