Power failure backup question??

Angelus · 02-28-2008, 12:13 PM

Besides a generator, which Is not possible for me, what do you guys recomend as far as backups for power failure. I have been doing a little research, and so far I am looking at the Azoo battery backup pump for air. And mabey a UPS unit for the power head. So far I have been reading that mabey the heater would drain too much power from the UPS unit.

Any advice??, also anyone use the Azoo Battery backup.. I dont have experiance with any real airstone driven pump, as I just normally rely on my powerhead for water movement.???

prow · 02-28-2008, 12:19 PM

tagging along, i too am looking to get something in the next couple months, before summer anyway.

BigAl07 · 02-28-2008, 12:29 PM

I am planning a small generator soon (after Winter they go DOWN in price until next Hurricane Season) but for now I have large capacity "UPS" like used for PCs. I have several on my PC's (computer nerd here) so if it came down to it I could use the ones from the PC's on heaters and power heads. Long term though there is no replacement for a generator.

IF you have a power outtage in cold weather you need to immediately "wrap" the tank with a blanket/quilt in order to maintain as much heat as you can. This will help save the BATTERY for longer runs.

Good luck!!

vdituri · 02-28-2008, 12:32 PM

Good call on the blanket!

BEELZEBOB · 02-28-2008, 12:51 PM

ThinkGeek :: 400 Watt Power Dome Mini Generator

BigAl07 · 02-28-2008, 01:16 PM

Good idea Bob

Reefwerks · 02-28-2008, 01:34 PM

I'm a fan of bilge and livewell pumps they will run for 6+ hours on one deep cycle battery. Mine is set to turn on by itself when the power fails and gives me plenty of time to get home and fire up the generator. Heat is a concern that is tough to deal with, since the inverter really chews up batteries with heaters.

Don

BigAl07 · 02-28-2008, 01:36 PM

Sort of OFF topic but not really...

I'm looking at two generator options...

2,000 Watt Portable Generators
Standard
or
Inverter

Which do I need and why?

Reefwerks · 02-28-2008, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAl07

Sort of OFF topic but not really...

I'm looking at two generator options...

2,000 Watt Portable Generators
Standard
or
Inverter

Which do I need and why?

Inverters dont really give you the option to run heaters if you have a larger tank. The batteries just dont hold up to that much work. The generator will let you have heat and a return pump with ease along with keeping the coffee brewed and the beer cold. I use a 6K with a manual transfer switch. It sure is nice to have my entire little house all lit up and warm while the rest of the neighborhood is black.

Don

BigAl07 · 02-28-2008, 01:56 PM

I like that idea Don. I'm going to install a "Whole House" system when I build the next house (blue prints are on my desk right now being worked on) but for now I'll probably stick with a smaller unit. We live "In Town" and it's rare our power is out more than a few minutes unless there is a pole or lines involved. Even then it's only a matter of a couple of hours. This is the one we sell here through our company (not this website but this model of generator)
Guardian QuietSource 16 kW Emergency Power System w/ Steel Enclosure 05243 @ Electric Generators Direct.com - Your Online Portable Power and Home Standby Generator Superstore

and here is one I might get for the time being
Winco 2500 Watt Generator w/ Honda Engine WT3000H @ Electric Generators Direct.com - Your Online Portable Power and Home Standby Generator
Superstore

mps9506 · 02-28-2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAl07

I like that idea Don. I'm going to install a "Whole House" system when I build the next house (blue prints are on my desk right now being worked on) but for now I'll probably stick with a smaller unit. We live "In Town" and it's rare our power is out more than a few minutes unless there is a pole or lines involved. Even then it's only a matter of a couple of hours.

Must be nice. Three times in the last ten years I've gone a day or more without power in Wilmington from hurricanes or tropical storms. I have always had smaller tanks, so I just used a deep cycle battery we used for our electric trolling motors when fishing. Deep cycle battery fully charged, with a power inverter with a few powerheads plugged in would get me by. Keeping the tank cool was actually more of an issue here than keeping it warm since it's usually still 80-90 degrees outside when we get slammed.

And to the OP:
what size tank do you have. It might help with giving you a proper recommendation on what kind of power failure supplies you should keep on hand.

amc78cj7 · 02-28-2008, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAl07

I am planning a small generator soon (after Winter they go DOWN in price until next Hurricane Season) but for now I have large capacity "UPS" like used for PCs. I have several on my PC's (computer nerd here) so if it came down to it I could use the ones from the PC's on heaters and power heads. Long term though there is no replacement for a generator.

IF you have a power outtage in cold weather you need to immediately "wrap" the tank with a blanket/quilt in order to maintain as much heat as you can. This will help save the BATTERY for longer runs.

Good luck!!

Day 1 purchase as the water was mixing with the salt I went out an bought a PC battery backup for about $100 and a battery operated pump. With that setup then I guess the best approach would be to 1)put the battery pump in; 2) wrap the tank in blanket and 3) plug the heater into the battery backup. I guess I'd forget about the lights and hope that the power comes back on in a day or two.

What about if the power goes out in July/August when the temp. is 110 in St. Louis. Just float bags of ice in the water?

AQTCJAK · 02-28-2008, 09:33 PM

Well prior to taking my tanks @ home dopwn I would you a UPS from APC based on the load to keep the essentials only running

Runtime Chart for Smart-UPS

heels92 · 02-28-2008, 09:41 PM

I live in Charleston, SC and a couple of years ago (after I got became a reefer) I thought about how much money I had spent on my tank and inhabitants, we went out and bought a whole house generator. I did that because if/when the big one hits here, I am going to be up where Al lives and would not be here to start up a generator if the power goes out.

My generator comes on automatically after 30 second power loss. Wouldn't you know it...since then it has never came one once except to self test. We used to loose power here in my neighborhood once or twice a year for at least 30 or 40 minutes...now nothing...lol.

Darrell

zy112 · 02-28-2008, 09:47 PM

I like your style reefwerks.

02-28-2008, 12:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
Angelus Midas Blenny Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Queens, NYC Posts: 91 View Gallery Karma Komment	Power failure backup question?? Besides a generator, which Is not possible for me, what do you guys recomend as far as backups for power failure. I have been doing a little research, and so far I am looking at the Azoo battery backup pump for air. And mabey a UPS unit for the power head. So far I have been reading that mabey the heater would drain too much power from the UPS unit. Any advice??, also anyone use the Azoo Battery backup.. I dont have experiance with any real airstone driven pump, as I just normally rely on my powerhead for water movement.???

02-28-2008, 12:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
prow Tridacna maxima Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 4,728 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Power failure backup question?? tagging along, i too am looking to get something in the next couple months, before summer anyway. __________________ "He who sees things grow from their beginnings shall have the finest view of them" ........Aristotle........ "The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad." - Salvador Dali my chronicle........ http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...al-system.html my clamicle..........http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...my-tank-d.html

02-28-2008, 12:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
BigAl07 Do I look as lost as I am Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 21,549 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Power failure backup question?? I am planning a small generator soon (after Winter they go DOWN in price until next Hurricane Season) but for now I have large capacity "UPS" like used for PCs. I have several on my PC's (computer nerd here) so if it came down to it I could use the ones from the PC's on heaters and power heads. Long term though there is no replacement for a generator. IF you have a power outtage in cold weather you need to immediately "wrap" the tank with a blanket/quilt in order to maintain as much heat as you can. This will help save the BATTERY for longer runs. Good luck!! __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Live Rock Rubble will do the SAME thing as Bio-Balls and is NOT a suitable replacement for BIO-BALLS in a Reef System! It's ALL gotta go!!* Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Allen's home-made formula...currentNO3-((%WC.01)currentNO3)=finalNO3 (thanks Luukosian) This means if you change 50% of your total water volume (That's EVERYTHING) you'll get a net reduction of (NO3) somewhere around 50%. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Gone but not forgotten BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef

02-28-2008, 12:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 6,244 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Power failure backup question?? Good call on the blanket! __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

02-28-2008, 12:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
BEELZEBOB -CHAUVINIST PIG- Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Boulder Colorado Posts: 4,851 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Power failure backup question?? ThinkGeek :: 400 Watt Power Dome Mini Generator __________________ 18Gal Mantis Tank 28lbs LR 22lbs Black Sand D&D Typhoone Skimmer96W CL PC (10K + AC) 2 Rio 90 P.H., 1 Nano Korilla Bane the Mantis Shrimp (G.Smithii) LIFE LESSON 8/8/08: Dont Poke Squirrells... LIFE LESSON 8/12/08: Chicks dont dig comic books... LIFE LESSON 8/26/2008: Pain is relative... LIFE LESSON 9/13/2008: Sometimes you just gotta pee in the sink... LIFE LESSON 10/1/2008: Her eyes say more than her mouth... LIFE LESSON 10/1 B: In retrospect, the shooting range was a bad first date idea... LIFE LESSON 10/19/2008: Bleach doesn't work well with out DETERGENT... But with it, WOW! LIFE LESSON 10/25/2008: "You're Such a Man," isnt necessarily a compliment... LIFE LESSON 10/28/2008: RC Helicopters are not Bob Proof... LIFE LESSON 10/29/2008: Dont ** where you eat, UNLESS, you are the company pooper scooper... BARB FREGGIN RULES**

02-28-2008, 01:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
BigAl07 Do I look as lost as I am Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 21,549 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Power failure backup question?? Good idea Bob __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Live Rock Rubble will do the SAME thing as Bio-Balls and is NOT a suitable replacement for BIO-BALLS in a Reef System! It's ALL gotta go!!* Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Allen's home-made formula...currentNO3-((%WC.01)currentNO3)=finalNO3 (thanks Luukosian) This means if you change 50% of your total water volume (That's EVERYTHING) you'll get a net reduction of (NO3) somewhere around 50%. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Gone but not forgotten BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef

02-28-2008, 01:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
Reefwerks Midas Blenny Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 112 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Power failure backup question?? I'm a fan of bilge and livewell pumps they will run for 6+ hours on one deep cycle battery. Mine is set to turn on by itself when the power fails and gives me plenty of time to get home and fire up the generator. Heat is a concern that is tough to deal with, since the inverter really chews up batteries with heaters. Don

02-28-2008, 01:36 PM	#8 (permalink)
BigAl07 Do I look as lost as I am Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 21,549 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Power failure backup question?? Sort of OFF topic but not really... I'm looking at two generator options... 2,000 Watt Portable Generators Standard or Inverter Which do I need and why? __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Live Rock Rubble will do the SAME thing as Bio-Balls and is NOT a suitable replacement for BIO-BALLS in a Reef System! It's ALL gotta go!!* Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Allen's home-made formula...currentNO3-((%WC.01)currentNO3)=finalNO3 (thanks Luukosian) This means if you change 50% of your total water volume (That's EVERYTHING) you'll get a net reduction of (NO3) somewhere around 50%. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Gone but not forgotten BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef

02-28-2008, 01:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
BigAl07 Do I look as lost as I am Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 21,549 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Power failure backup question?? I like that idea Don. I'm going to install a "Whole House" system when I build the next house (blue prints are on my desk right now being worked on) but for now I'll probably stick with a smaller unit. We live "In Town" and it's rare our power is out more than a few minutes unless there is a pole or lines involved. Even then it's only a matter of a couple of hours. This is the one we sell here through our company (not this website but this model of generator) Guardian QuietSource 16 kW Emergency Power System w/ Steel Enclosure 05243 @ Electric Generators Direct.com - Your Online Portable Power and Home Standby Generator Superstore and here is one I might get for the time being Winco 2500 Watt Generator w/ Honda Engine WT3000H @ Electric Generators Direct.com - Your Online Portable Power and Home Standby Generator Superstore __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Live Rock Rubble will do the SAME thing as Bio-Balls and is NOT a suitable replacement for BIO-BALLS in a Reef System! It's ALL gotta go!!* Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Allen's home-made formula...currentNO3-((%WC.01)currentNO3)=finalNO3 (thanks Luukosian) This means if you change 50% of your total water volume (That's EVERYTHING) you'll get a net reduction of (NO3) somewhere around 50%. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Gone but not forgotten BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef

02-28-2008, 09:33 PM	#13 (permalink)
AQTCJAK Tiger Shark Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,267 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Power failure backup question?? Well prior to taking my tanks @ home dopwn I would you a UPS from APC based on the load to keep the essentials only running Runtime Chart for Smart-UPS __________________ A Wiseman once said build a stage add a pole & they will dance - Jack 2007 www.aquaticaggression.com

02-28-2008, 09:41 PM	#14 (permalink)
heels92 Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mount Pleasant, SC Posts: 250 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Power failure backup question?? I live in Charleston, SC and a couple of years ago (after I got became a reefer) I thought about how much money I had spent on my tank and inhabitants, we went out and bought a whole house generator. I did that because if/when the big one hits here, I am going to be up where Al lives and would not be here to start up a generator if the power goes out. My generator comes on automatically after 30 second power loss. Wouldn't you know it...since then it has never came one once except to self test. We used to loose power here in my neighborhood once or twice a year for at least 30 or 40 minutes...now nothing...lol. Darrell __________________ 65 gal reef with fish. 250 14k mh, 2 2x96in actinic pc, berlin protein skimmer, 10 gal sump, uv sterilizer, phoban reactor. soft, lps, and some sps corals. 2 gobies, 2 clownfish, coral beauty, fridmani, 2 blenny's, mandarin, brittle starfish.

02-28-2008, 09:47 PM	#15 (permalink)
zy112 Elegance coral Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,225 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Power failure backup question?? I like your style reefwerks. __________________ Zach

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