Last Minute Hurricane Prep

[Zakary2003]

I'm in the path of hurricane nine. I am also a college student. I am being forced to evacuate, and my fish tank will need to be left behind at my dorm. The tank is 20 gallons.

Flooding is not a major concern. While my college is right on the bay and has flooded, my building is elevated and we would need 15ft+ storm surges to even worry about flooding my building.

I have a battery powered airstone that will last about 2 days. The college has lost power for extended periods of time during previous hurricanes and tropical storms. Sometimes the backup generators kick in for my dorm building, but they are usually left off when there are no students present on campus.

I have no way to power the light (ai hydra 32hd) or the pumps/powerhead (AI Nero 3, AI Axis 40, and DC hygger mini wave maker). I also have no way to power the skimmer or the heater, but I don't view either as a necessity with the bubbler and the fact that overheating is far more of an issue during a hurricane power outage.

Please give me any suggestions to prepare you might have. A personal generator is not an option because it is a dorm building. Anything I'd need to buy would need to be available for me to go get tomorrow because I need to leave Wednesday by 2:00pm.

I was considering a large power bank or uninterrupted power supply. Does anyone have suggestions for one that will last a few days? Even if it is expensive, I can return it after the storm if there's a good return policy.

Should I try to power all the pumps or prioritize just the return or just the powerheads? Should I even bother trying to power the light while I'm gone?

Finally, is there any chance that the airstone alone will be enough?

 

[danreef55]

First and foremost, stay safe. Battery operated air stone is the best you can do. Dont worry about the light. Best of luck

 

[CHSUB]

Invertor with auto transfer switch, 12 volt battery charger, 100 ah battery. $300 will keep one pump going 5-7 day if small dc. Auto transfer will switch to battery automatically when power going out.

 

[Spare time]

Maybe get a larger battery for the air stone.

 

[Zakary2003]

Invertor with auto transfer switch, 12 volt battery charger, 100 ah battery. $300 will keep one pump going 5-7 day if small dc. Auto transfer will switch to battery automatically when power going out.

Can I get all that tomorrow? I'm not even sure where to find an auto transfer switch or 100ah battery.

 

[CHSUB]

Can I get all that tomorrow? I'm not even sure where to find an auto transfer switch or 100ah battery.

Battery and charger at autozone, maybe smaller than 100 ah but something. Invertor with switch Harborfight or tractor supply some have instock, Home Depot if you’re lucky. Got my Amazon not sure if you would get it in time.

 

[Hemmbone20]

Are you in Tampa? I’m here and my house has a built in generator.
If you want to bring the tank here I can watch it for a few days…

 

[CHSUB]

Battery and charger at autozone, maybe smaller than 100 ah but something. Invertor with switch Harborfight or tractor supply some have instock, Home Depot if you’re lucky. Got my Amazon not sure if you would get it in time.

Sorry, did search Amazon warned because of storm would not get it in time.

 

[Zakary2003]

Are you in Tampa? I’m here and my house has a built in generator.
If you want to bring the tank here I can watch it for a few days…

I'm in St. Pete. I appreciate the offer, but I don't think I'll be able to move the tank with much success.

 

[Zakary2003]

Battery and charger at autozone, maybe smaller than 100 ah but something. Invertor with switch Harborfight or tractor supply some have instock, Home Depot if you’re lucky. Got my Amazon not sure if you would get it in time.

Noted. I'll try to pick that stuff up tomorrow. Thank you!

 

[CHSUB]

It will be easier to get an inverter without a transfer switch. Hook battery to inverter and trickle charger and power your smallest pump only, on battery power only. You should get several days if dc pump.

 

[dolfandds]

Bait shops sell battery operated air pumps that I have had run for 72 hours on two d batteries. I am in so fl and own four just in case of a hurricane. Also it’s not about the bubbles deep
It’s about surface agitating to oxygenate the wate. Good luck

 

[smacrophylia]

I'm in St. Pete. I appreciate the offer, but I don't think I'll be able to move the tank with much success.

If ur in usf dorms you tank should be safe and I’ll bet they let u back in there by Friday night

 

[smacrophylia]

if ur not able to get extra batteries I’ll drop u some after the storm is gone

 

[wjm6449]

They’re saying 20 foot storm surges…

 

[Australian_Reef]

Good luck man. The air stones will go along way to swing you through. Look after yourself.

 

[smacrophylia]

I’m still holding out hope it goes south of the skyway and sucks water out of the bay but we shall see

 

[smacrophylia]

If it does go a hair south, St pete dorms in a solid building is as good of a place as any to store your tank until you can get back

 

[Zakary2003]

if ur not able to get extra batteries I’ll drop u some after the storm is gone

I really appreciate the offer. But it won't do me any good. They've kicked us off campus since Helene. I haven't been back since my original post right before the hurricane Helene hit. They have a professor going to check on the aquarium once a week but I'm totally helpless here. Plus with 10-15 or even 20 ft storm surges, my tank inhabitants could be swimming free in the Tampa Bay by the time you can come help.

 

[Australian_Reef]

Oh Helene.. didn’t see the dates!