What to Do if a Fish Tank Pump Fails

The environment in an aquarium will fluctuate unless equipment such as a water heater, filter, protein skimmer and pump maintain oxygen, temperature and water levels within the acceptable range for marine life. In the event of equipment malfunctions or a power failure, you need to employ backup equipment and monitor the aquarium conditions to maintain safe marine conditions, reduce stress and preserve fish.

  1. Preparation

    • Aquarium shops and fish hobbyists suggest installing two independent water pumps so that one serves as a backup in case of pump failure. PetEducation.com assures hobbyists that fish can survive for a few hours without a water pump aerating and filtering the water. A power outage for up to three hours won't significantly change the oxygen levels or water temperature. If a water pump fails due to a power outage, activate emergency backup equipment. If a pump fails, get a replacement unit immediately. Remember that if a tank pump fails, the water filter doesn't work, so don't feed fish until you can reestablish the pump system.

      Recommended backup equipment includes a power source (e.g., battery or generator, depending on the size of the aquarium and frequency of power outages in the area), air pump, airstones, tubing, spare aquarium heater and large bucket. Connect and install the air pump to aerate the water and position the airstones near the top of the water surface to aerate the water, with minimal disruption to dissolved wastes lower in the water column.

    Water Levels

    • Monitor the water temperature regularly during a power outage, and cover the tank with a thick blanket in the winter to prevent heat loss or place ice packs around the outside walls during the hot summer. Even though you stopped feeding fish during the power outage, normal biological processes and stress will build up to produce ammonia and increase pH levels. Regularly test the ammonia levels and pH several times a day (e.g., morning, late afternoon and before retiring) and add supplemental agents such as dechlorinator/ammonia remover or buffer to keep levels within safe limits.

      Prepare a bucket of treated water (such as for water changes) and immerse an aquarium heater to provide fresh water to the tank if needed.

    Emergency

    • If the water temperature falls below safe levels and the power outage has been extended, you need to find an alternate location to preserve your precious livestock. You can transport fish safely in sealed plastic bags by transferring each fish to a bag containing one-third tank water and two-thirds air. The College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University notes that sparsely packed fish of 5 inches in size in 1 gallon of water should survive for at least 36 hours if the external temperature is adequate (if buckets, tubs and jars are used in addition to sealed bags).