Help with disater revocery after ice storm

[PCB]

I was one of the unfortunate people to go without power in Charlotte, NC for 5 days after the ice storm 2 weeks ago. I was able to keep things alive in my 90 gallon reef tank for 2 of the 5 days. Once the temp in the house reached 55 degrees, most everything in the tank was dead. Apart from buying a $1000 generator, has anyone found something lesss expensive to keep things running on the tank during a power outage?

 

[easygoer2]

We had a bad Ice storm in AR about 2Yrs. ago. I told my insureance guy about my tank and he said that they would pay to rent a gen. If I needed one to keep my tank going. That might be something to check in to.
easygoer2

 

[Bill2]

don't think you need to spend $2000. Just enough to run a heater and a powerhead.

 

[clutchcargo]

You could have run a power inverter in your car with a long extension cord to run heaters and PHs.
Just a thought
C

 

[whiirly]

you can buy a small generator that would more than
run your thank for under $500 its an envestment
well worth it look at Sams Club or even Ace hardware
for a portable Coleman gen

best of luck
whiirly

 

[spsfreak1]

I agree with clutchcargo and that's exactly what I did the first 3 days except I only ran 2 punps per tank and no heaters. I ran a Kerosene heater for heat while I had no power and it kept both tanks at around 78 degrees. I did however purchase a generator, after 4 days with no light it started to effect my corals, so days 5+6 the generator ran everything on both tanks plus the TV and Saty. I only lost one coral and that was a giant shroom, really not sure why it died.

BTW I paid around $700.00 for my generator it is a Generac and it 5500w, I'll be prepared for next time.

HTH Matt