a sobering experience...

johnpeezy · 07-16-2008, 11:59 AM

So I woke up this morning started to feed all my fish, and my two cats and went to check my E-mail.

My computer was off,I didn't remember turning it off last night. Hmm...

I looked to see what time it was because usually I get a call from my girlfriend from work. The clock on the stove was blinking on and off. I had a power outage and it came back on before I was even awake.

that means all 9 of my fishtanks lost power and the filters (possibly) dry started on there own.

It really scared the bejeezes out of me. How bad for the HOB filters is that?
The last thing I need is for all of them to burn out at once. I have spaers for about half of my tanks but thats all.

anyone have any input

zippo · 07-16-2008, 12:37 PM

Happens all the time. Most filters will restart unless they lose their siphon. Seems not to be harmful to them.

Rallysman · 07-16-2008, 01:04 PM

you run into a problem when they have no water and the impeller starts running. Typically, that wont happen during a power outage.

johnpeezy · 07-16-2008, 02:15 PM

Man it sure was scary when I realized my power went out

joephys · 07-16-2008, 03:59 PM

HOB's are designed to stay self primed when the power goes out. As long as they were all running properly moving water through them, it should be fine. As far as the power going on and off, its no different than you just unplugging them.

TwoTankAmin · 07-16-2008, 06:29 PM

I would not bet on that. Emperors will drain if the power goes out and will not restart when it goes back on. I know this is true because I have seen it with mine. I would note I have had my Emp. 400 for 8 years and the newest models may have addressed this issue, but I don't know since I never bought another Emperor.

Trixie · 07-16-2008, 09:03 PM

I think that if the water level stays the same, it should be fine. During the summer we often have power outages because of tree branches falling on power lines during storms. All of my Emperors have always started right back up. However, after water changes I always have to prime them.

DirtyDawg10 · 07-17-2008, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trixie

I think that if the water level stays the same, it should be fine. During the summer we often have power outages because of tree branches falling on power lines during storms. All of my Emperors have always started right back up. However, after water changes I always have to prime them.

I have found the same thing with mine. If the water level gets too low they may not self prime.

sploke · 07-17-2008, 09:01 AM

I haven't had any problems with mine. I have a newer Emperor 400 and also the smaller model thats probably 10 years old. I unplug them when I do water changes and just plug them in when I fill the tank again. They make a lot of noise but generally are able to start on their own again as long as the tank is full.

joephys · 07-17-2008, 09:16 AM

If the water tries to self level, so if the water level in the tank falls below the water level of the lowest part of the intake tube, then the siphon will break, on any filter.

Riverfishgirl · 07-19-2008, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwoTankAmin

I would not bet on that. Emperors will drain if the power goes out and will not restart when it goes back on. I know this is true because I have seen it with mine. I would note I have had my Emp. 400 for 8 years and the newest models may have addressed this issue, but I don't know since I never bought another Emperor.

I usually don't have any issues unless the water level in the tank is too low, but every once in awhile they don't wanna restart after an outage.

It's best to check every single filter after an outage and make sure they're running no matter what.

wesleydnunder · 07-22-2008, 08:32 AM

I have a couple of old Aqua Clears that don't re-start after an outtage. I know I need to replace the powerheads on them to fix the problem, but I never think about it until the power goes out. Duh...

Mark

TwoTankAmin · 07-22-2008, 09:01 AM

My only knock on AquaClears, and I run 23 of them, is they tend to run fine even as they build up stuff on the impellor and in the well. However, once they get dirty to a point, if they are turned off and on, they do not restart.

The only way to know if one is in need of cleaning is to turn it off and then back on to insure it will restart. Of course you can simply use a regular cleaning regimin to prevent the build up of ook in the impellor area.

wesleydnunder · 07-22-2008, 01:44 PM

The problem with these isn't from being dirty, TTA, it's age. I bought them back in '89, I think. The impellers and sockets have worn to the point where they really need to be replaced. I just keep forgetting to order the parts whenever I place an order at Big Al's.

Mark

johnpeezy · 07-23-2008, 10:16 AM

My bigger aquaclear its a 50 does this, I plug it in and it dosen't start. I have to take a pen and poke the impeller down to "kick start" it but I don't use it anymore I replaced it with a canister filter.

07-16-2008, 11:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
johnpeezy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 343	a sobering experience... So I woke up this morning started to feed all my fish, and my two cats and went to check my E-mail. My computer was off,I didn't remember turning it off last night. Hmm... I looked to see what time it was because usually I get a call from my girlfriend from work. The clock on the stove was blinking on and off. I had a power outage and it came back on before I was even awake. that means all 9 of my fishtanks lost power and the filters (possibly) dry started on there own. It really scared the bejeezes out of me. How bad for the HOB filters is that? The last thing I need is for all of them to burn out at once. I have spaers for about half of my tanks but thats all. anyone have any input

07-16-2008, 12:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
zippo Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 285	Happens all the time. Most filters will restart unless they lose their siphon. Seems not to be harmful to them. __________________ We have enough youth, how about a fountain of smart.

07-16-2008, 06:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
TwoTankAmin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Westchester Co., NY Posts: 716	I would not bet on that. Emperors will drain if the power goes out and will not restart when it goes back on. I know this is true because I have seen it with mine. I would note I have had my Emp. 400 for 8 years and the newest models may have addressed this issue, but I don't know since I never bought another Emperor. __________________ Te audire non possum. Musa sapientum fixa est in aure.

07-16-2008, 09:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
Trixie Meow. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Northern VA Posts: 1,360	I think that if the water level stays the same, it should be fine. During the summer we often have power outages because of tree branches falling on power lines during storms. All of my Emperors have always started right back up. However, after water changes I always have to prime them. __________________

07-17-2008, 09:01 AM	#9 (permalink)
sploke ladies love country boys Join Date: May 2006 Location: Eastern CT Posts: 390	I haven't had any problems with mine. I have a newer Emperor 400 and also the smaller model thats probably 10 years old. I unplug them when I do water changes and just plug them in when I fill the tank again. They make a lot of noise but generally are able to start on their own again as long as the tank is full. __________________ Current project "So long, and thanks for all the fish."

07-16-2008, 01:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rallysman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 469	you run into a problem when they have no water and the impeller starts running. Typically, that wont happen during a power outage.

07-16-2008, 02:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnpeezy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 343	Man it sure was scary when I realized my power went out

07-16-2008, 03:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
joephys Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: auburn, wa Posts: 4,376	HOB's are designed to stay self primed when the power goes out. As long as they were all running properly moving water through them, it should be fine. As far as the power going on and off, its no different than you just unplugging them.

07-17-2008, 09:16 AM	#10 (permalink)
joephys Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: auburn, wa Posts: 4,376	If the water tries to self level, so if the water level in the tank falls below the water level of the lowest part of the intake tube, then the siphon will break, on any filter.

07-22-2008, 08:32 AM	#12 (permalink)
wesleydnunder Resident Cannibal Join Date: May 2006 Location: La Marque, Tx. Posts: 2,275	I have a couple of old Aqua Clears that don't re-start after an outtage. I know I need to replace the powerheads on them to fix the problem, but I never think about it until the power goes out. Duh... Mark __________________ If it can't be fixxed with a hammer, then you've got an electrical problem.

07-22-2008, 09:01 AM	#13 (permalink)
TwoTankAmin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Westchester Co., NY Posts: 716	My only knock on AquaClears, and I run 23 of them, is they tend to run fine even as they build up stuff on the impellor and in the well. However, once they get dirty to a point, if they are turned off and on, they do not restart. The only way to know if one is in need of cleaning is to turn it off and then back on to insure it will restart. Of course you can simply use a regular cleaning regimin to prevent the build up of ook in the impellor area. __________________ Te audire non possum. Musa sapientum fixa est in aure.

07-22-2008, 01:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
wesleydnunder Resident Cannibal Join Date: May 2006 Location: La Marque, Tx. Posts: 2,275	The problem with these isn't from being dirty, TTA, it's age. I bought them back in '89, I think. The impellers and sockets have worn to the point where they really need to be replaced. I just keep forgetting to order the parts whenever I place an order at Big Al's. Mark __________________ If it can't be fixxed with a hammer, then you've got an electrical problem.

07-23-2008, 10:16 AM	#15 (permalink)
johnpeezy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 343	My bigger aquaclear its a 50 does this, I plug it in and it dosen't start. I have to take a pen and poke the impeller down to "kick start" it but I don't use it anymore I replaced it with a canister filter.

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