"2pods" wrote in message
...

"HairyMcLeary" wrote in message
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"Dick" wrote in message
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On Mon, 20 Jun 2005 22:41:58 +0100, "2pods" wrote:

Also posted to the UK group. Apologies for anyone reading twice.

After two power outages of about 3/4 and 1 hour, of my three tanks the
smallest (Juwel Rekord 60 with plants and 12 Platys) reads perfect
water
quality.

The Juwel Rio 300 (plants, Platys, 4 Clown Loach, 6 Angels, 6 Danios,
and
4
Corys) is fine except for the pH.
It's dropped to 6.0-6.5

My Rio 400 (Plants, Comets, Shubunkins, SAE, Tench, Orfe) readings were
dire
!
Ammonia was high (4.0), pH had fallen to 6.0, Nitrite was 0.0, and
Nitrate
was 40.
After a 40% water change pH was still 6.0, Nitrite 0.0, Nitrate dropped
to
10, Ammonia 2.0.
I've now double dosed with Prime, so will have to wait 24 hours to read
it
again.
Is the worst over, or are my fish doomed ?

As for the Rio 300, does it need a waterchange ?
The 2 smaller tanks have a 25% waterchange weekly (last Wednesday), and
the
big one fortnightly (also last wednesday)

Peter


I am curious Peter. I have power outages some lasting an hour or 2.
I have never looked for tank changes and nothing has ever happened to
give me caution. What caused you to measure tank parameters after the
power came back on? Were the fish acting strangely? I never measure
chemical parameters unless I see fish behavior that needs
explaination.

I change 20% twice weekly in all of my tanks.

If it ain't broke don't fix it is my moto.

dick


I once lost all inhabitants of my tank several years ago after a power
outage (nearly 12 hours as I remember)
The contents of my canister filter went toxic during this time and
pumped
this toxic waste into my tank when the power was restored. I have been
told that if the power is out for more than a couple of hours to remove
the filter media and keep it in clean water till the power is restored,
apparently it is the lack of oxygen in the canister that causes most of
the problem. Never had to try it, hope I never will.
I have had many outages of about an hour and have no problems, though it
never occurred to me to test the water.

Tony
I'm beginning to suspect it may have been off longer/during the night as
the
cooker clock was slow.

In the Rio 400, the fish were down in the corner at the other end of the
filter.
So I tested.
I usually only test once every couple of months if everything has been OK.
It's double filtered with it's own internal and a Rena XP3 and a 15w UV.

I thought I'd check the Rio 300 to be on the safe side.
Checked GH in both 40 KH in both tanks was below 10
Both tanks are planted.

Peter



The only way that I am aware of to deal with power outages completely is to
use a backup power generator, way too expensive for me right now so I will
make do. One recommendation is to get one with a sine wave output but this
recommendation is really only especially important if you plan on using
sensitive devices with it such as a computer. UPSs simply only help as much
as one drop in the bucket as far as long term duration of power outages go.
The sine wave output means the ac output is only "on" for part of the time
and so doesn't overheat sensitive devices, very basically put. Good luck and
later!