aquarium and pond answers, information, articles, resources

AQUARIUM ANSWERS (AND POND);
This is a great resource for answers, help, and advice to aquarium and pond questions not found elsewhere; With regular posts and article updates.


In our research, we also use aquaculture, horticulture, medical, and university research papers to compile many of our articles, not relying on only aquarium hobby articles that are often anecdotal in assumptions

Some Aquarium Answers (and Pond) articles/posts are more basic such as: *Aquarium Heaters, others are more in depth such as *Carbon or * Pond Veggie Filters;
Other popular articles include: *Aquarium Water Conditioners, *Aquarium Test Kits, *Fish with Dropsy, *How do Fish Drink? PROPER OSMOTIC FUNCTION- Electrolytes, Reverse Osmosis, *Freshwater Velvet, *Aquarium Repair, silicone, DIY & glass and many more (please see the right column for MANY more articles)!

OR see our AQUARIUM ANSWERS DIRECTORY page for topics.

Other Recommended Reference Sites
-A useful source for current Aquarium Information and Resources (Pond too). Basic and in depth articles from Aquarium Lighting, filtration, proper nutrition, UV Sterilization, Ich, Pond Maintenance, Nitrogen Cycle, and much more. Well researched and up to date aquarium and pond articles, answers, help, and links. Based on 30 years Professional experience & research in Los Angeles and now in Oregon. This Aquarium and Pond Information resource is a must read for any aquarist serious about current aquatic information and articles
For a friendly, Knowledgeable, aquarium forum with in a family atmosphere, Aquarium Forum; Everything Aquatic & Board is an excellent place to go for information, help or simply to share your love of the aquarium and pond hobby and help others. A superior place for information over such places as Yahoo Answers
FISH AS PETS; Articles and commentary of Interest to the Aquarium Hobby; Such as Parasite Retailers,
Planaria & Detritus Worms in Aquarium, Melafix Dangers, & Celestial Pearl Danio, Galaxy Rasboras

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Aquarium Moving, Power Failure


Aquarium Moving (Part 1) & Dealing with Power Failures (Part 2)

Updated 1/11/12

Aquarium Moving

There are many different methods for moving that work well, I will give you information on the moving method that has worked best for me when I moved aquariums (small and large) for my aquarium maintenance clients (some short distance, a couple as far as 800 miles)
Aquarium Moving*Purchase some sterile Rubbermaid containers or Coleman or similar style ice chests (not cheep "styro" ice chests) as well as buckets for ornaments, gravel, etc.
If Rubbermaid containers are used, I prefer as large as possible such as 32 gallons for tanks over 40 gallons.

*Drain water from the display tank into one of these containers. Do not fill more than you can move or will spill. Then add your fish to this water.

*Add Methylene Blue , this will aid in the oxygen capacity of the blood, ease stress, ease ammonia/nitrite poisoning and help prevent disease. I also added Wonder Shells as these would increase the bio load capacity of the water and add very important electrolytes and aid in water parameter stability.
Keep this container as dark as possible.

Bag BuddiesAnother alternative (not what I generally do, but many prefer) is to bag all your fish adding oxygen or the newer breathing bags. You can also add Bag Buddies by Jungle to these bags. These will add oxygen and Methylene blue for stress and disease prevention. This is a perfectly good method, I just prefer to be able to monitor and even aerate my fish, I also have arrived with less stressed fish this way (including with the breathable bags), as in my opinion the fish feel more comfortable in a larger container with less ammonia buildup and more cover.

automobile inverter
*For trips over 4 hours, a battery air pump or AC air pump plugged into an inverter that runs off the vehicles cigarette lighter.
My recommendation here is to use the LifeTech Non Stop Air pump (pictured) or similar as this VERY powerful pump (more powerful than many standard AC pumps) can run up to 20 hours and can also be used as an automatic emergency air pump during power failures or simply as your aquariums main air supply pump.
The other alternative are the very simple batter pumps that run on ‘D’ cell batteries. These pumps are not all that powerful, however these pumps such as the Via Aqua Million Air Pump (pictured to the left) often provide ample air down to at least 18 inches of water and can last up to 8 hours when using fresh alkaline batteries.

*Do not over rinse any gravel or bio filter media such as sponges; place these in an open container/bucket

*Place safe (not heavy) decorations in with fish to provide cover. For live plants keep them separately as you will deplete oxygen in the darker moving environment. The same for rocks and heavy decoration as these can injure the fish

*Discard any unused water. For marine tanks I try and save as much water as possible.

*For small tanks (usually under 40 gallons), I will generally leave some gravel and other equipment in the tank for quick moving. For larger tanks I remove everything.

*Once at the destination, I begin to re set up the aquarium. For marine tanks I immediately start up a container with an air stone, water (preferably RO) and salt mix so as to have mixed saltwater ready for use. I will also note that I prefer 24 hours of agitation of newly mixed saltwater before using, however this time is usually not an option when moving.

*Once the tank is set up and running, I start SLOWLY mixing water back and forth between the tank and fish container to prevent osmotic shock, and adjust temperature.
I will usually add Stress Coat or similar to the container holding the fish and Prime to the display tank just before addition of the fish (and other aquatic creatures)

Moving Summary;

This is not the one and only method to move aquariums (and the inhabitants), but this way and variation of this method have worked very well for me with almost no losses over dozens of moves for my clients. I also still use the Methylene Blue Wonder Shell method in transporting fish from LA to Oregon a few times a year (counting stopping time this is a 36 hour plus journey for the fish without a loss yet!)

For a much more in depth Aquarium Answers article that deals specifically with shipping of fish (as compared to this article that is aimed more at transport of fish and aquariums, please see this article: “Fish Shipping”

Power Failures;

Sponge Filter with Battery Air PumpDealing with power failures is very similar to tank moving in that many of the same methods can be employed, so I will not repeat the same material, other than I will list methods of maintaining your fish while power is out.
It is also noteworthy that most healthy aquariums (with normal bio loads) can last up to 4 hours with absolutely no action taken!

Here are several suggestions:
• Stirring the aquarium with a small clean paddle. This can be done gently enough to not cause too much stress to fish while providing water moving and oxygen/CO2 exchange (depending on paddle size and aquarium size; obviously a smaller paddle for a smaller tank).
• Keeping a Battery automatic air pump connected at all times to the aquarium. The best way is via a small Sponge Filter as pictured to the left, although for better yet effectiveness in removing ammonia/nitrites, I suggest that a separate sponge filter be connected to a continuous running pump then this Sponge filter be reconnected to the battery pump during the power failure.
• This same idea as above can be used except a Non-Stop Battery pump is employed so that the Sponge filter is always biologically seasoned or does not require reconnection to the battery air pump during power failures.
• The use of a generator or DC to AC inverter (which is then connected to an Deep cycle RV Battery. I have found that a deep cycle battery can run the average aquarium for days without re-charging.
• The use of Prime or Amquel Plus is also suggested if ammonia or nitrite levels rise during power failures.
• Water changes (if you are on city water, not a well that needs AC power) can also be used to provide fresh water, electrolytes, & oxygen. As well products such as Wonder Shells also add essential electrolytes and even some oxygen.

Labels: , , , , , ,






<< Home

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?





AQUARIUM ANSWERS;
ARTICLES:

  1. Head Pressure in Aquarium and Pond Water Pumps
  2. Betta Fin Rot
  3. Angelfish Virus/Aids
  4. Activated Carbon
  5. Fish Baths/Dips as an aid to treatment
  6. Streptococcus gram positive bacterium in aquariums, Eye Infections
  7. Hydrogen Sulfide
    production in anaerobic De-Nitrification for Aquarium/Ponds
  8. Fish Shipping
  9. Aquarium Size, Fish Stunting
  10. Aquarium Algae,
    BBA & Brown Algae in particular
  11. Aquarium Salt (Sodium chloride) in Freshwater Aquariums
  12. Betta Habitat; Wild Bettas to Domestic Betta environment parameters
  13. HITH; Hole in the Head Disease
  14. Aquarium Protein Skimmers, Ozonizers
  15. Power Head/ Water Pump Review
  16. Molly Disease/ Mollies in an Aquarium
  17. Basic Fish Anatomy, Fin Identification
  18. Aquarium Moving/ Power Failures
  19. Octopus as Aquarium Pets
  20. Aquarium Nitrates
  21. Ichthyophonus protists, fungus in fish
  22. Aquarium and Pond Filter Media
    ; types (Mechanical, bio, chemical, etc.)
  23. Aquarium Water Conditioners (also Pond)
  24. Fish Parasites; Trematodes & Monogeneans; Annelids and Nematodes;
    Flukes, internal worms, Detritus Worms (often confused with Planaria), Micro Worms
  25. Aquarium Silicone Application;
    DIY Aquarium Repair & Glass thickness
  26. Pond Veggie Filters; DIY Bog Filter
  27. The difference between Plaster of Paris and Aquarium Products such a Wonder Shells:
  28. NEON TETRA DISEASE
    Identification, prevention & Treatment
  29. AQUARIUM TEST KITS; Use & Importance
  30. SEXING FISH; Basics
  31. Chocolate Chip, Knobby and Fromia Starfish
  32. Freshwater Velvet/ Costia
  33. Usnic Acid as a Fish Remedy
  34. Aquarium Heaters; Types, information
  35. The Lateral Line in Fish, Lateral Line Disease
    or Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE)
  36. Tap Water use in Aquarium; Chloramines, Chlorine
  37. Can Black Ghost Knife fish give an electric shock?
  38. Bio Wheel Review; Do Bio-Wheels really work?
  39. How do Fish Drink?
    PROPER OSMOTIC FUNCTION-
    Use of RO Water
  40. Aqua Clear
    Hang on the back power filters (HOB)
  41. Cyclops, and Predatory Damselfly larvae
  42. Betta with Dropsy;
    Treatment and Prevention of DROPSY in all fish
  43. pH and KH problems in African Cichlid Aquarium
  44. Aquarium Gravel, which size?
  45. Blue green algae, Cyanobacteria in Ponds/Aquariums
  46. AQUARIUM ANSWERS DIRECTORY


Recommended Related Sites & Products:
For the very best in RO Filters:
Reverse Osmosis Aquarium Water Filters
TMC V2 RO Filter systems; the very best you can buy with TDS meter
Also the popular Wonder Shells to provide minerals for RO water

For unique aquatic products (most professionally tested) and information; American Aquarium
Including the best in Glass and Titanium Submersible Aquarium Heaters as well as Undergravel Heaters
Also the latest technology in LED Aquarium Lights and the best in Aquarium Power Filters

Aquarium LED Lights, Lighting; Reef Planted

G23 & G11 UV Replacement Bulbs (PLL & PLS) Compact UVC as well as link to standard straight tube UV lamps as well
Or for a UV Bulbs directory

Patented Lustar Hydro Sponge Aquarium Filters



The Best in Value UV Sterilizers such as:
COMPACT UV STERILIZERS, Via Aqua Terminator 5 watt to 36 watt
OR the best at any price Pond UV Sterilizers; TMC Pond (or Aquarium) UV Sterilizer


A CLEAR POND;
-Proper Pond Filtration, Cleaning, care, chemistry & Basics for maintaining a beautiful garden pond

PROPER FISH NUTRITION

Aquarium Cleaning Machine –Power Siphon
- Not just a filter, but a monthly maintenance miracle or better “A useful too for good aquarium husbandry".

Rena Filstar High Performance Canister Filters

Decorative Coral, Aquarium Decorations such as
SeaGarden FancyPlants Aquarium Decor
& Aquarium Driftwood

Aquarium & Pond UV Sterilizer articles unique articles such as unique UV ideas as well as dispelling myths

Directions/ Instructions/Downloads; Aquarium Pond Products

AquaBeam 1500XG and Other Aquarium LED Information

Pocket Purifier Only $14.99
The unique hand held germ eliminating device; kills Flu, Staph & more without harmful chemicals such as bleach Great Gift



For Website Building/Hosting and who Aquarium Answers recommends (& uses for sister websites):

Make a Website on siterightnow.com


If you have found this site helpful (or the sister site Aquarium and Pond Information),
please consider a donation to help with the 100s of hours of research and updates that go into these articles:


Your Ad Here

All articles are the copyrighted material of Carl Strohmeyer, these can be used ONLY in part and only with proper hyper link.
Use with Google Adwords/Adsense is STRICTLY prohibited without revenue sharing




Add to My Yahoo!

Ocean Decor

Great Links
Carl Strohmeyer; About Me

Links
Archives