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Originally Posted by Chocaholic
Wow…appreciate the candid info. A filter draining a tank on to the floor? How is that even possible? I’d have hoped that by 2023 there would be technology to prevent that! Yes, I can imagine a certain disaster potential but assume very low risk. Had never had such an event in my younger days FWIW.
Because we’re in a coastal area we do have a large propane powered generator. After a life of relentless travel, that’s not a retirement priority for us, so the occasional 1 week vacation would be about it. Euthanize fish? Isn’t that what the toilet is for (kidding…couldn’t resist)? Lastly, we have a useless garden tub about 20 feet away that is earmarked for water change duty.
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Look, if you’re in it for the right reasons it’s great. If you just want ambience, use YouTube nature videos or Apple TVs screensavers. This hobby can be very stressful because you’re responsible for keeping these animals healthy. The level of suffering for both the fish and human can be high. Eventually everything runs smooth. But then stuff happens….even if my electricity flutters for a fraction of a second in a wind storm, the majority of my filters stop and do not restart even thought they should. The motor runs but the impeller is stuck, they get very hot,,,,,I have to clear them. Etc on and on…
How can a filter drain your tank? Simple. Biggest culprit is hang on back filters. If there should develop a blockage so that water stops flowing over the lip into the tank and instead flows over the back of the filter onto floor missing the tank….the filter doesn’t know. It’s just keeps pumping. If the intake pipe is low, the water will continue to leave the aquarium until it reaches that level. If on your main floor, even a few gallons can be very bad and very expensive.
Canister filters can spring a leak and just keep pumping. Had a really nice Hydor do that 2 years ago but was home and caught it but only after there was 10 gallons of water on the floor. Luckily I had moved this hobby to the basement by then.
I would encourage you to avoiding stones as substrate. Use aquarium sand. Think ahead. Have rules and follow them consistently. Have back ups. Feed once a day, no more. Fast once per week. Them, not you.