Mother Nature operates in mysterious ways, and for aquarium hobbyists in Tornado Alley, bad weather introduces its own set of challenges beyond the health and safety of one’s family. Your underwater ecosystem is no exception; it will need extra attention when a tornado is imminent, because what was once your slice of Earth could become a raging mess with little warning. 

Whether you're running a fish-only aquarium or an elaborate coral reef setup, knowing how to protect your aquatic life when the weather turns extreme can make all the difference between an inconvenience and a full-blown aquarium disaster.

How Tornadoes Affect Your Tank

Tornadoes present several dangers to aquarium systems that most hobbyists don't consider until after. The No. 1 worry is electricity loss, which can shut down crucial life support systems such as filtration, aeration, and heating. Without these essential systems, water quality can quickly go downhill, causing spikes in ammonia, drops in oxygen, and temperature changes severe enough to increase stress to your fish and corals within hours.

The second major risk is structural damage. Debris in the air can break aquarium glass and cause tanks to move, crack, or fall over. If your aquarium does survive the first storm, other problems, such as flooding from busted pipes or damage to the roof, could ruin all the work you put in getting that water chemistry just right. We shouldn’t discount the psychological stress that fish experience, either. The vibrations, pressure changes, and general turbulence of severe weather can enhance fish and coral stress, making them more susceptible to disease and reducing their ability to withstand other challenges.

Pre-Storm Prep: Your Tornado Survival Wish List

Preparation is your friend! Begin by putting together an emergency kit tailored just to your aquarium. You should be prepared with battery air pumps, which aerate the water and are essential during a power outage. A decent battery backup can save your fish for 24 to 48 hours, which might be enough time to resolve other issues.

You should also consider storing treated bottled water or having dechlorinated tap water on hand already. This is key for making emergency water changes if your regular source of water becomes contaminated during the storm. Additionally, keep water testing kits on hand, as you will have to monitor ammonia, nitrite, pH, and temperature levels more closely during and after the storm.

For more complex systems, you could purchase a backup battery system like Ecotech’s VorTech Marine Battery Backup, so your tank’s flow can continue unaltered for up to 60 hours after the power goes out (30 hours for two pumps). 

For reef tanks, the priority after an emergency kit is lighting and temperature. It is important to keep the temperature up, particularly with tropical species and sensitive corals such as Acropora corals. If you can’t get the electricity back up and running, you can wrap your aquarium in blankets or sleeping bags to insulate and slow the temperature changes. If a tornado hits during the fall or winter, when temperatures can plummet without heating systems, maintaining a stable temperature becomes even more crucial.

The Storm: What to Do, Safety, and Quick Action

While the safety of humans should be your first consideration when tornado warnings are in effect, there are a few simple steps you can take to improve survival rates for your aquarium. 

We suggest shutting down all electric equipment except for essential life support systems to protect against power surges until electricity is restored. Unplug UV sterilizers, protein skimmers (unless it’s your only form of surface agitation), and lighting. Once the tornado has passed and all power is restored, return to your normal lighting schedule. 

If you have that warning, and time allows it safe to do so, perform a partial water change to ensure your aquarium has the best water quality levels possible before the storm hits. This will protect against and retain as much water quality as possible for any potential treatment challenges that could occur during any power outages.

If you have a portable tank or tank that can be moved easily, temporarily relocating the aquarium to a basement is best for tornadoes; just watch out for flooding. If you have to store tanks close to exterior walls, cover them with heavy blankets or plywood sheets to protect against flying debris.

For bigger systems or wall aquariums that cannot be transported, turn off protein skimmers and other equipment that could cause trouble if they were to run dry or overflow during power interruptions. But continue to keep vital pumps and heaters hooked up to your backup power supplies.

After The Storm Recovery: Returning Your Tank To Normal

As soon as the immediate threat subsides, avoid making attempts to restart everything all at once. Start by giving your aquarium equipment and tank a good look over. Inspect the glass for cracks, look at stands and canopies carefully to be sure they have not been damaged, and look for any signs of shifts or instability in the tank.

Check your water right away for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and temperature. Ammonia spikes are common when stocked aquariums lose power, as the healthy bacteria quickly die without appropriate water movement and aeration. Be ready to do emergency water changes if the levels are unsafe.

When reinstating power to equipment, do so gradually. Begin with critical life-support devices like pumps and heaters, then gradually bring other gear out of a power-down state over the course of several hours. It also will not flood your system and allows you to check for any damage that may have occurred as a result of the storm.

Look for signs of water damage at all connections and replace any equipment that got wet. Electric equipment that has flooded should not be used again under any circumstances, because it presents very serious safety hazards for both you and your aquatic life.

Building Community Support Networks

Join local aquarium clubs and internet forums in your region. Other aquarists can supply emergency equipment like fish bags and other recovery necessities. There are loads of knowledgeable hobbyists out there who may be able to help in an emergency.

Conclusion

When it comes to tornado readiness for aquarium owners, you must think outside the typical disaster planning box. Preparation is not just advisable, but necessary, so be ready! Keeping emergency supplies, knowing the weaknesses of your equipment, and being well-prepared are some steps you can take to help give your aquarium a good chance at fighting off severe weather.

Please keep in mind that the cost and hassle of replacing equipment is nothing compared to losing the living beings who rely on your care. With a little bit of preparation and fast action in an emergency, you can save both your investment and the life that brings you so much joy. What you do today may save your entire aquarium tomorrow.

If you need help preparing emergency equipment or would like to learn more about what to do during a bad storm like a tornado, feel free to reach out to the Reefco Aquariums team today.