Let's talk about back-up power!

[jeffmperez]

Due to this lovely storm I thought it would be a good idea to talk about what everyone is using in the case of back-up power?

Besides a really small generator that I have in the garage, that is the only thing that I have "in case of emergency". But what if I am not at home?

I hear people talk about battery back-ups but I have never seen one or know where to get one?

What do you guys have and how are they set up?

And for us newbie reefers, please try to use a few less acronyms when describing what you have! Much appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[Marko9]

Many of us use UPC battery backups. This is the one I have
http://www.officedepot.com/a/product...roadband-Watt/

[jeffmperez]

How long does that last w/o power? Everything I have read about battery back-ups usually only last about 25min at full power?

[beerguy]

The key is deciding what needs power.

I have just a single Tunze Stream plugged into my UPS. Because they're such lower power devices, I get hours of circulation from a 1000kva UPS.

[Marko9]

I get over 6 hours. I have never left it off any longer than that.

[C4SxM5]

so current is the first thing that should be backed up?

[beerguy]

Temperature is a concern but lack of oxygen will kill the tank faster than anything else. Keeping the water circulating helps keep oxygen levels tolerable.

[funman1]

I'm ready to go with my Generator


Bring on the storm!!!

[beerguy]

My area has been out for a few hours. My wife has instructions to call me when the UPS shuts off so I can go home and fire up my generator.

[JeffReef]

No back-up plan here. So all I can do is manually stir the water for circulation and create some "surge effect" by pouring tank water for oxygenation.

Everywhere else around me is out of power at the moment. I won't be surprised if we lose power anytime soon. I just hope I don't lose gas as that would be my only heating source for tonight in case I lose power.

[TeeLapia]

a good back up plan is to get the battery operated air bubble stuff. stick lining in the aquaria and have it turn on once power is out. This will help aleviate some issues. It's a cheap fix, but for extended power loss you will have to look into generators. I would love to ref. a link but cannot locate it at this time.

[RasBobre]

I live in Tahoe and have gone through a few 4-6 day power outages and have learned that part of my reef keeping pieces of equipment requirements is a back up generator.

Yes, I do run a business out of my home, so it is a bit more of a necessary than most of you. But a back up power source should be considered a necessity for all reefkeepers. Plus, it is a home improvement that will easily pay for itself when I sell.

This is the model of my back up generator, http://norwall.com/qs_16.htm , about $3800 plus $600 for the install.

Here is a link to my decision making blackout.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=741147

I have heard from too many electricians that the state of California has grown way too large for the electrical supply available and it will only be a matter of time before there are major power outages with no regard to weather.

[JeffReef]

"This is the model of my back up generator, http://norwall.com/qs_16.htm , about $3800 plus $600 for the install."

• 24/7 BLACKOUT PROTECTION
• HANDS-FREE OPERATION
• PERMANENTLY INSTALLED
• FUELED BY NATURAL GAS OR LP GAS

Good idea. Thanks for sharing the link.

[jeffmperez]

Originally posted by RasBobre
I live in Tahoe and have gone through a few 4-6 day power outages and have learned that part of my reef keeping pieces of equipment requirements is a back up generator.

Yes, I do run a business out of my home, so it is a bit more of a necessary than most of you. But a back up power source should be considered a necessity for all reefkeepers. Plus, it is a home improvement that will easily pay for itself when I sell.

This is the model of my back up generator, http://norwall.com/qs_16.htm , about $3800 plus $600 for the install.

Here is a link to my decision making blackout.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=741147

I have heard from too many electricians that the state of California has grown way too large for the electrical supply available and it will only be a matter of time before there are major power outages with no regard to weather.

Wow! Sorry About the loss! That is one heck of a nice piece of equipment and I am sure a necisity for where you are living!

[jeffmperez]

Originally posted by beerguy
Temperature is a concern but lack of oxygen will kill the tank faster than anything else. Keeping the water circulating helps keep oxygen levels tolerable.

Doug - Are you saying that keeping just one powerhead to keep the water circulating should be efficiient to keep a moderatly stocked tank going over an extended time? That is of course with the temperature staying within the range.

[D&KSac]

LOL Steve's gonna have everyone backfeeding there panel haha. I love this weather sucks the day it happens but keeps me working fixing what would be electricians screw up. lol

[beerguy]

Originally posted by jeffmperez
Doug - Are you saying that keeping just one powerhead to keep the water circulating should be efficiient to keep a moderatly stocked tank going over an extended time? That is of course with the temperature staying within the range.

That depends on the size of the tank and the size of the powerhead. The beauty of the Streams (mine is a 6100 ~3000gph) is that it provides a lot of flow at a lower power cost.

In a smaller tank, a smaller powerhead might suffice.

[airinhere]

I run one of these for each of my main tanks.
http://www.officedepot.com/a/product...up-BE350R-Watt


3 plugs with battery backup that covers my return pump and koralias,
3 plugs that are just surge protection for my lights and calcium reactors.

I got about an hour of use out of the batteries before they died on me.
Although the beeping from three different units was driving me crazy long before then.

As a last ditch defense, I also have this

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-7...9486892&sr=8-5


With a powr strip, I was able to power up two of my three UPS units.
I probably could have hooked the third up,
but I didnt have an extra power cord that would reach.

I hooked the inverter up to my truck, disconnected all the non-essential stuff
like lights from the UPS and let the pumps run.

I have read that it is imortant to use a UPS between your inverter and pumps
since the type of electricity an inverter generates is not good for pumps.
Makes a great short term solution anyways.

[RasBobre]

As a last ditch defense, I also have this

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-7...9486892&sr=8-5


I hooked the inverter up to my truck, disconnected all the non-essential stuff
like lights from the UPS and let the pumps run. [/B]

Just don't let your truck over heat by leaving it running for too long!

A cracked head could be pricey!

[airinhere]

Allright Jinx!

It should be okay.

I only had to run it for about 2 hours.

Just have to make sure you dont run the inverter without starting the truck.

Then you might end up without power and stranded at home with a dead battery in your truck.

[plankton]

I agree with prior posts. I use a APC Smart UPS (true sine wave output) 1400 to drive a single Koralia 1 in my tiny 24G nano.

FYI The Koralia-1 uses a 3.5W pump, so it would last hours on said UPS with new batteries.

PS I had trouble running little aquarium pumps on modified sinewave inverters. Sometimes the pump would not start or would shudder. However, I've had NO problems using true sinewave inverters like you'd find in SmartUPS.

Scott

[matttaylor]

I use the inverter method if i need it. I had a small 150 watt inverter that was able to run all my pumps last time the power went out, but have upgraded to a 400 that will run my actinic lights and pumps if needed. I actually tested it a few weeks ago and was able to run all of my christmas lights with no problems!

[xia]

Just bought a 1200 peak 850 watt generator at Kragen for $99. Get them while supplies last.