We are due to have a huge windstorm starting tomorrow and through Saturday, and there is a high possibility that the power will go out.

I have not had a power outage since I got my fish, so I am just wondering if I need to worry and if there is anything I can do to help preserve my good bacteria and keep the fish as healthy as possible. And yes, I know I am probably overreacting...

I have two in-tank Whisper filters and a bubble wall going in the tank. I know they'll be fine for awhile without the bubbles, but does the good bacteria remain in the filters even if they aren't running? They would still be wet, so I am thinking yes but I am not sure...

I am going to do a large water change in the morning so they start out with the best possible water, but since I am so overstocked I am always worried that something will go awry, the fish will get sick and because I am overstocked they won't get better. I am a little paranoid, if you haven't already noticed this in one of my many other obsessive worrying posts.

I can always do water changes if the power stays off too long, I just might have to leave the water out if the hot water is gone, so I can temp match. But any advice for this paranoid fish mama is greatly appreciated!

Plus, our local football franchise is in the Superbowl for the first time (Go Seahawks!), so I am more hopeful than usual about power getting turned back on ASAP so people can watch the game! Amazing what a little football can do to light a fire under the butts of city employees!

I remember reading daryl's reply that the good bacteria will even live for a few days out of water, or is it a few hours? I kinda forgot

Be careful about performing too much of a water change if you are overstocked because you don't want to end up with loosing good bacteria and getting an amonia problem from the waste, happened to me after a 12 hour power outage and I had replaced 60% of the water.

Your best bet would be to hoof it down to the store and find yourself a battery powered air pump. They used to be about 10 bucks at PetSmart. These will keep the water turning over and mostly aerated during times of power outage. Make sure your filter media is kept wet - if you really need to, you can drop it right into the tank if the power stays off for days. As you say, though, with the Super Bowl, they are going to push to get it back on!

Do not be afraid of water changes as needed - the cycle is in the media, not the water. Leave the media alone - do not rinse it or mess with it, but change the water out as needed. You might want to lay in a supply of Prime or Amquel that might help you past a small bump in the cycle after the outage.

Preparation is 90% of the game. You are SOOOO smart to plan ahead!

Good luck - on the storm being benign and the Super Bowl going the Seahawks way.

Thanks everybody! I think the one good thing about having in-tank filters is that the media is always wet since it is in the tank anyway, so that part will be easy. I will get a battery powered airpump just in case, it is probably good to have around anyway! And I already have some Prime, I hadn't thought of that! Hopefully, I won't need any of it!

hmm... has anybody actually tried getting one of those surge protectors that is also a "battery reserve" thing?

i know they have them at best buy, and i think they're normally used for computers, but i just thought.. wouldn't they work for aquariums too?

i purchased one of the battery operated air pumps, and although it DOES work great, i can't imagine it doing very well on a large tank over 40 gal. maybe you'll need 2.