Things Go Wrong at the Worst Possible Time
Heater failures, pump deaths on Christmas Eve, power cuts during storms — emergencies happen. Having the right gear on hand makes the difference between a stressful evening and a genuine disaster.
The Essentials
Battery-Powered Air Pump
During a power cut, the tank loses circulation and gas exchange. Oxygen drops, CO2 builds, and within hours fish can start dying. A cheap battery-powered air pump with an airstone keeps water moving and oxygenated. £8-15 from Amazon. Buy it, test it, put it in the cupboard.
Spare Heater
Heaters fail — sometimes stuck on (cooking the tank), sometimes off (freezing it in winter). A spare means an immediate swap instead of a frantic late-night search.
Tip: Two smaller heaters are safer than one big one. If one sticks "on", the other can't overheat the tank alone.
Ammonia Neutraliser
Seachem Prime or similar. Detoxifies ammonia, nitrite, and chlorine. If something dies and spikes ammonia, Prime buys time. Keep a full bottle at all times.
Pre-Mixed Salt Water
A 25L container of pre-mixed salt water — heated, aerated, at the right salinity — ready for emergency water changes. Rotate every week or two.
Basic Test Kit
Ammonia, nitrite, salinity. During an emergency, these three readings indicate whether things are critical or just concerning.
Common Emergency Scenarios
Power Cut
Deploy the battery air pump immediately. In winter, wrap blankets around the tank to insulate. Don't feed. Don't open the lid more than necessary.
Heater Stuck On
Temperature climbing past 28°C? Unplug immediately. Float sealed bags of ice in the sump. Fan at the water surface. Partial water change with cooler (not cold) water.
Livestock Death
Remove the body, dose Seachem Prime, do a partial water change, and monitor ammonia for 48 hours.
Leak
Turn off the return pump to stop water flowing. Assess whether it's a cracked tank (catastrophic) or a loose fitting (fixable).
Build the Kit This Weekend
A basic emergency kit for under £50:
- Battery air pump + airstone: £12
- Spare heater: £15-20
- Seachem Prime: £8
- Basic test kit (backup): £10-15
Stash it near the tank and forget about it until needed.
What's the scariest reef tank emergency out there, and what saved the day? These stories help other reefers prepare.
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