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Our power went out overnight, and stayed out for about 12 hours. I covered the tanks with blankets, but the temp still dropped by 3 degrees in my 55-gallon tank, 5 degrees in my 30-gallon, and 7 degrees in my 10-gallon.

Before it went back on, I dumped the old water in the boxes of the biowheel filters, and when it went back on, I did a small water change in each tank (all of them were due for one) being careful to match the water temps. I also dosed New Improved Cycle.

In short, I did just about everything I could, but I'm not sure what to expect next. How big a cycle am I likely to get? Could some of the bacteria have survived 12 hours without power?

Also, all fish seem fine at the moment -- but if I'm going to have problems (ich, etc.) how long before that's likely to occur? Or, put another way, how long before I'm out of the woods? Is this likely to be as bad as cycling a brand-new (and fully stocked) tank?

Thanks!

You did the best you could. Most people wouldn't have dumped the water out of the filters. You probably won't have much trouble, to be honest. As long as the temperature comes back up gradually, you should be alright. Just to be safe, i'd keep a good eye on the fish and test the water a few times to make sure nothing goes awry. You may want to feed a little less just to have less waste around if it made you feel better

If you know the power is out, you can go a step further and put your bio-wheels or other media into the tank itself, and manually agitate/circulate the water to keep some gas exchange going.

I am in awe of how diligent you were with the blankies. But if the power was out overnight the temperature would drop if you are in the Nthn Hemisphere where it is cold at the moment.

At one stage due to renovations I had to put my tank in the unlined garage and there was some wild fluctuations in temperature throughout the day. The filter was on so it is a bit different to your situation but all the fish survived fine. Hope yours do too.

Hope all your tanks are okay and nothing too drastic happens.

Let us know...

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~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

LMuha

Well done it looks very much like you thought twice and acted once or had a plan ready just in case.
Sounds like a lesson in planing for many to copy.
Keith

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