Power Outages

sparkyjoe

Ok, so I don't want to be posting this question, but what are the chances my bettas will survive a power outage of 5 to 7 DAYS??

All but one are in 5 gallon tanks, with live plants, but only one is in a brightly lit room.

Sigh.
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Tazman

Provided you dont ovefeed, change the water regularly, then chances are high.

You might have to perform more tests on the water but it should be fine, if you run a filter then make sure you keep the filter material moist with tank water, allowing it to completely dry will kill all the good bacteria and send the tank into a cycle once the power comes back on.

In this day and age though, it would take a fairly major event to keep the power off for that long, or you would have to be in an extremely remote location.

Tazman

It would be beneficial to move the fish that is the brighter room to the darker room. It will keep the temperature lower, slowing the metabolism of the fish more, meaning it will eat less and be less active.

It also acts as a way to keep stress lower.

sparkyjoe

You could say fairly major, yes. A storm blew through with 80+ MPH winds knocking out power to most of Central Ohio. Major damage to power lines and circuits with over 500,000 without power.
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sparkyjoe

Oh, and no, I actually live in Columbus Ohio not far outside the outerbelt, just minutes from the city proper. Not at all rural.
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Tazman

I am a Weather Observer and CANWARN spotter for the Weather Network Canada and Environment Canada in my spare time, I saw that on the weather reports about the storms. That was some crazy weather.

I suspect being in a city like that, it will not be long before the power comes back on. The fact that is summer also helps a great deal, obviously the warmer weather keeps the tanks warmer longer. It would then be best to move the fish tank away from any direct light, keep it as dark as possible but check the temperature. You will need to perform at least a daily partial water change to remove waste and uneaten food the filter is no longer able to take out.
If you notice the temperature in the tank going too high then perform a water change with slightly cooler water. Try and keep it as close to your "running" temperature as you can.

Hope everything works out for you and really feel for you guys after the events there.

thekoimaiden

I was wondering if you were in the path of that massive storm that blew through the eastern US today. I'm in VA and we had our power turn off, too. Based on the size and severity of that storm, it's entirely probable that your power will be out for a few days. In your situation I wouldn't feed the fish at all. If the tanks are cycled, move the media into the main tank. If your tap water is clean, do a few water changes. The plants should be able to survive a few days without bright light.

sparkyjoe

We had something similar happen a few years ago who the remains of Hurricane Ike blew through.

They're saying this is as bad as that was, and "most" residents had power restored within a week. With humid, 90°F weather predicted it's not going to be pretty.

I'm currently on medical leave, and on a special diet, so I also have concerns for my own health and being able to eat. I may have to have a friend drive me 3 hours from home so I can stay with my parents. I might be able to take one betta with me, but not all 4 of them.

I'm praying power is restored soon.
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Tazman

This is the storm system that swept through Ohio, the numbers are reported wind gusts. The red colors are intense Severe Thunderstorms.

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thekoimaiden

I feel for you, Joe. I hope that your power is restored soon, for your health and your fishes'. That storm was still a bad one when it got to me in southern Virginia. Wind gusts around 40 mph, but very little rain and lightning.