Surviving a Post-Apocalyptic World with Your Saltwater Aquarium

In times of chaos, it can be easy to neglect your beloved saltwater aquarium, assuming that the fish are doomed to perish in a post-apocalyptic world. While keeping alive a saltwater tank during an apocalypse is indeed challenging, proper planning can increase the chances of surviving and maintaining your marine ecosystem. Let's explore the scenarios and potential solutions to keep your saltwater aquarium thriving, should the worst happen.

Understanding the Apocalypse Scenarios

Firstly, it's important to distinguish between different types of apocalyptic scenarios:

Zombie Apocalypse: In this scenario, the primary threat to human survival overshadows any considerations for your aquarium. Once the zombies take over, your fish are unlikely to fare well, as they will be preoccupied with more immediate threats. There's no need to worry about maintaining your aquarium under these circumstances. Biblical Armageddon: If we're dealing with a more spiritual or cosmic event like a biblical Armageddon, it's worth noting that it's a metaphysical rather than a physical apocalypse. The fate of the fish would be left to divine intervention, and they may be along for the ride with you on whichever side of the afterlife you end up. Asteroid Strike: A widespread asteroid impact causing a global disaster would lead to widespread destruction and chaos. In such a scenario, water quality and your aquarium would likely be the least of your concerns as waterborne lifeforms would likely be among the first casualties. Alien Invasions: An alien invasion might offer a silver lining. Assuming the invaders are civically minded and not bent on a genocidal rampage, they might treat aquatic life with the respect it deserves. They may even provide better conditions for your Plecos, as they are likely to be regarded as valued pets in a new interspecies world.

Ensuring Your Aquarium Survives a Human-Affected Apocalypse

Given that the apocalypse might only affect human life and not marine life, there are actionable steps you can take to ensure your saltwater aquarium survives.

Power Supply and Maintenance

The key to maintaining your aquarium during an extended apocalypse is to ensure that all the necessary components—lighting, pumps, skimmers, chillers, and heaters—have a reliable power source.

Electricity: To keep your aquarium running, electricity is a must. You'll need to provide enough electricity to maintain these components. Here are some short- and long-term solutions: Short-term Solution: In the immediate aftermath, a gas-powered generator can be the easiest way to get power back up and running, especially if the power grid is down. Long-term Solution: For the mid-to-long term, the most sustainable approach is to install solar panels (photovoltaic cells) to generate electricity and at least one large battery to store the produced energy for later use. This setup not only ensures a steady supply of electricity but also makes your aquarium more self-sufficient and resilient.

Water Quality and Resources

Ensuring the water quality of your saltwater aquarium is vital, but in an apocalyptic scenario, access to unpolluted natural seawater or the ability to use sea salt and RO (reverse osmosis) or distilled water becomes crucial.

Ensure that your freshwater sources are clean and free from contaminants. If you can access unpolluted seawater, you're in a better position to maintain your aquarium. Alternatively, investing in a reverse osmosis system or obtaining pure distilled water can help you maintain the necessary water quality even when freshwater sources are compromised.

Long-Term Challenges and Solutions

While maintaining an aquarium during an apocalypse is challenging, the long-term outlook can be dire. In a scenario where the Earth is uninhabitable, the efforts to keep your fish alive become increasingly futile. Here's what to consider:

Wiping Disease: If the post-apocalyptic scenario involves a widespread disease, the likelihood of your fish surviving is slim. Your efforts to maintain the aquarium might just hasten their demise as they are exposed to a hostile environment. Biodiversity Collapse: If the apocalypse leads to a significant loss of biodiversity and ecosystem balance, your saltwater aquarium might not survive unless it's isolated from the outside world. Regional or Global Catastrophes: If a catastrophe affects a large region or the entire planet, the chances of your aquarium surviving are minimal. We may be more concerned with survival than maintaining a pet aquarium.

Conclusion

While it's easy to dismiss the idea of keeping your saltwater aquarium alive during an apocalypse, proper planning and foresight can increase the chances of survival for both you and your fish. However, it's important to recognize that the long-term viability of your aquarium depends on the specific circumstances of the apocalypse. In a truly catastrophic event, the best bet may be to focus on your own survival rather than your aquarium.

To sum up:

Power Supply: Ensure a steady power supply with either a gas-powered generator or a combination of solar panels and batteries. Water Quality: Maintain high water quality by securing unpolluted seawater or investing in a reverse osmosis system. Death or Resilience: In a human-focused apocalypse, your efforts to maintain your aquarium may be futile, but in a more environmental scenario, your fish might have a fighting chance.