Power outage

lethal · 02-09-2010, 07:42 PM

Well, my worst nightmare has happened. I received a letter from the power company today which states that they are upgrading the powerlines in our street and there will be power outages of 6-7 hours. I don't have a generator and not sure I can afford one at the moment. It is summer here so my tank may stay warm enough but there obviously won't be any water movement. How long do you think I can go before I see a crash?

Reefmack · 02-09-2010, 07:59 PM

If you can, freeze several bottles of water and hang one of them in the tank with a cord or heavy string, when the tank starts to get too warm, and replace if/as needed with a new one. If you can get one of the emergency battery powered air pumps, run that it the tank (not in the back section) and it will create a little current and aeration. I got by on a long outage of several hours by doing that, and didn't lose anything. Can you rent a small generator?

Anyone - other than a battery backup powered Vortech, does anyone make a small battery powered powerhead? If not somebody should!

offshore357 · 02-09-2010, 08:23 PM

I would think the tank would find its way to ambient temperature with nothing running. A common pc UPS should run a Power Head for quite some time. If u don’t have one maybe u could at least borrow one.

Hope this helps, -JOHN

Dweezil · 02-09-2010, 08:31 PM

I don't have any words of wisdom for you Leigh but I think with Terry's advise you should be okay. That sounds like a good plan to me.

marine281 · 02-09-2010, 11:34 PM

Run a powerhead sucking air the day they are due to turn the power off so there is plenty of oxygen in the water- see the red sea micro bubble problem posts and do the fix for it in reverse

Don't suppose you know any scuba divers? could run a line from a tank & it would last days..

How about a 12 volt camp shower? those are only $30 or so, you could just use the pump part & hook it up to a car battery- can buy the adapters to connect a cigarette lighter to a battery OR a cheap jump pack that has one bulk into it from supercheap.

Nowellsy SNR · 02-10-2010, 12:08 AM

Ah sorry to hear that Leigh i know when i had a little accident i felt all my pumps off for 12hrs and the fish where fine

But you have some sound advise above

lethal · 02-10-2010, 01:29 AM

Thanks for all of the advice everyone. I did a bit of research today and can get a cheapish 800w generator for $370AUD. I think it would be enough to power the chiller and vortech. I'm not concerned with the skimmer or lights. It's probably not great quality but hopefully I won't need to use it much.

hallie · 02-10-2010, 04:14 AM

Hey Leigh,

I wouldnt stress. Saturdays going to to be 25C. Bendigo may be a bit warmer. Considering none of the red sea pumps will be running dontworry about temp. Id use the chiller to slowly drop the tank temp to 23-24C before the power drops out. Goto your LFS and get a battery powered airpump or two to provide a bit of circulation/gas exchange. If you cant find bat. powered airpumps just agitate the water every 20 minutes or so.

Too be safe freeze as many 2Lt water bottles as you can in case the temp spikes.

Reefmack · 02-10-2010, 05:49 AM

Leigh - have you thought about the battery backup made for the Vortech? I'm not sure if you could get one in time though. I have the Vortech battery backup and it should keep my MP20 running for 72 hours (36 for an MP40).

I have one of these to keep a heater going for 6-8 hours, but something similar would keep the Vortech going much longer (less watts than a heater):

The generator would of course be the best to keep the chiller, chiller pump & Vortech running

nanoreefing4fun · 02-10-2010, 02:04 PM

You can pick these up most everywhere... $11 Battery Operated Air Pump

Hagen Battery Operated Air Pump

FCatCH76 · 02-10-2010, 02:35 PM

or $6.29 here:Hagen Battery Operated Air Pump - Air Pumps & Accessories - Fish - PetSmart

I'm interested in the Duracell power pack, heard that some can be defective out of box. Have you tried it on the tank and what do you run and for how long?

Reefmack · 02-10-2010, 03:16 PM

Fcatch - I guess I need to test mine! I'll plug a lamp in.

BigAl07 · 02-10-2010, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanoreefing4fun

You can pick these up most everywhere... $11 Battery Operated Air Pump

Hagen Battery Operated Air Pump

I just now ordered 2 of these (the less expensive one actually) but they wont be here before the next "Storm" hits... I may take a new generator home with me tonight...

tnwillia · 02-10-2010, 06:16 PM

Leigh... a posibility that is cheaper than a generator. See if you can find a AC/DC power inverter that will take your car 12Vdc and change it to 110/220 which ever you are. It will run off your battery for a while then you can run your car for a while. back & forth. If it's summer there, between Terry's ice bottles for cooling this could run a power head for circulation. Not the best solution but may help some. Good luck!

redsea reefer · 02-10-2010, 06:23 PM

You got some great advice Leigh, I would of done what Terry said. I hope everything goes smooth.

02-09-2010, 07:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
lethal Elegance coral Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,241 View Gallery Karma Komment	Power outage Well, my worst nightmare has happened. I received a letter from the power company today which states that they are upgrading the powerlines in our street and there will be power outages of 6-7 hours. I don't have a generator and not sure I can afford one at the moment. It is summer here so my tank may stay warm enough but there obviously won't be any water movement. How long do you think I can go before I see a crash? __________________ Leigh RSM 250 (November 09) 32Kg Live Rock, 30Kg Coral Sand, Hailea 300A 1/4HP Chiller, Internal Eheim 2000 Chiller Pump, Vortech MP40W, Sicce 3.0 Skimmer Pump, 200W Jager Heater, Pinpoint Ph Monitor, Tunze Osmolator ATO, Chemi-Pure Elite. CUC-5 Trochus snails,2 Peppermint shrimps,2 Collector Urchins,4 Hermits. FISH-2 Ocellaris Clownfish,1 Foxface,1 Scooter Blenny,1 Orange Spotted Sleeper Goby,1 Purple Firefish CORALS-1 Torch,1 Duncan,2 Red Leathers,1 Toadstool Leather,1 Swollen Brain Coral,1 Finger Leather,1 Toadstool Mushroom,1 Elegance,1 Sinularia,1 Plate coral,1 Sun coral,1 Trachyphyllia. Lethals RSM250 Tank Thread

02-09-2010, 07:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
Reefmack NaClH2O Addicted Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC, USA Posts: 15,117 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Power outage If you can, freeze several bottles of water and hang one of them in the tank with a cord or heavy string, when the tank starts to get too warm, and replace if/as needed with a new one. If you can get one of the emergency battery powered air pumps, run that it the tank (not in the back section) and it will create a little current and aeration. I got by on a long outage of several hours by doing that, and didn't lose anything. Can you rent a small generator? Anyone - other than a battery backup powered Vortech, does anyone make a small battery powered powerhead? If not somebody should! __________________ aka Terry Excellence in reefkeeping is achieved by mastering the fundamentals, and learning from mistakes. No such thing as an evil crab. Only humans have the ability to be evil. 34g Red Sea Max 130 (April 07), ~50-60 lbs. live rock, Aragonite substrate. Lighting: Current USA Outer Orbit Pro - 150W 20K Ushio HQI, 2 x 24 Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI, 2 x 24W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent by UVL, Vortech MP20, Vortech battery backup, LifeReef RSM Siphon, EShopps RS-75 Sump, SWC Extreme 120 cone skimmer, TLF Phosban reactor, Tunze Osmolator ATO, ReefKeeper Lite L3 controller Reefmack's RSM 130 and...Red Sea Max Owners Club and My JBJ 6G

02-09-2010, 08:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
offshore357 Limpet Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 135 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Power outage I would think the tank would find its way to ambient temperature with nothing running. A common pc UPS should run a Power Head for quite some time. If u don’t have one maybe u could at least borrow one. Hope this helps, -JOHN __________________ RSM 250 - ER Nano Skimmer, 2 - Eheim compact 3000+, Oceanic 1/6 hp Chiller 60lb Dry Rock, 22 ponds R.S. reef base, 60Lbs Fiji pink live sand. 2 BigJay pod houses Diamond Goby , Yellow Tang, 2 B/W Ocellaris, Green Mandarin, BSJF,Yellow Belly Regal Tang, GBTA, Cleaner shrimp, Crocea clam, 2 Emerald crabs, 30 Hermits, Snails everywhere!

02-09-2010, 08:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dweezil Manta Ray Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 3,375 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Power outage I don't have any words of wisdom for you Leigh but I think with Terry's advise you should be okay. That sounds like a good plan to me. __________________ ~Tammy "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt" ~ Abraham Lincoln WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA...Please remember only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you...JESUS CHRIST and the AMERICAN SOLIDER. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom My Tank Thread

02-09-2010, 11:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
marine281 Cabbage Leather Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 371 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Power outage Run a powerhead sucking air the day they are due to turn the power off so there is plenty of oxygen in the water- see the red sea micro bubble problem posts and do the fix for it in reverse Don't suppose you know any scuba divers? could run a line from a tank & it would last days.. How about a 12 volt camp shower? those are only $30 or so, you could just use the pump part & hook it up to a car battery- can buy the adapters to connect a cigarette lighter to a battery OR a cheap jump pack that has one bulk into it from supercheap. __________________ Andrew My RSM Red sea max 130D seahorse & mandarin tank. 120 Gal 4x2x2 display, 50 Gal sump, ATI Sunpower T5 lighting 6x54w, reef octopus Classic 1500l OTP skimmer, Aqua Technique auto top up, 2x Vortech MP40w ES, Vortech battery backup.

02-10-2010, 12:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
Nowellsy SNR Manta Ray Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Preston UK Posts: 3,942 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Power outage Ah sorry to hear that Leigh i know when i had a little accident i felt all my pumps off for 12hrs and the fish where fine But you have some sound advise above __________________ Anthony Red Sea Max 250 Started 9/5/09 24kg Indonesian Live Rock, 10kg Figi Live Rock (EQUIPMENT) RSM250 Euro Reef Nano Skimmer, D-D DC300 Chiller with external NewJet NJ2300 Multi Pump.....2 Vortech MP-40w's with upgraded EcoSmart Drivers, Rena SmartHeater 300w, 4 ATI Aquablue T5's, 2 ATI Specialblue T5's My Tank threadTake a look have a Nosey

02-10-2010, 01:29 AM	#7 (permalink)
lethal Elegance coral Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,241 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Power outage Thanks for all of the advice everyone. I did a bit of research today and can get a cheapish 800w generator for $370AUD. I think it would be enough to power the chiller and vortech. I'm not concerned with the skimmer or lights. It's probably not great quality but hopefully I won't need to use it much. __________________ Leigh RSM 250 (November 09) 32Kg Live Rock, 30Kg Coral Sand, Hailea 300A 1/4HP Chiller, Internal Eheim 2000 Chiller Pump, Vortech MP40W, Sicce 3.0 Skimmer Pump, 200W Jager Heater, Pinpoint Ph Monitor, Tunze Osmolator ATO, Chemi-Pure Elite. CUC-5 Trochus snails,2 Peppermint shrimps,2 Collector Urchins,4 Hermits. FISH-2 Ocellaris Clownfish,1 Foxface,1 Scooter Blenny,1 Orange Spotted Sleeper Goby,1 Purple Firefish CORALS-1 Torch,1 Duncan,2 Red Leathers,1 Toadstool Leather,1 Swollen Brain Coral,1 Finger Leather,1 Toadstool Mushroom,1 Elegance,1 Sinularia,1 Plate coral,1 Sun coral,1 Trachyphyllia. Lethals RSM250 Tank Thread

02-10-2010, 04:14 AM	#8 (permalink)
hallie Midas Blenny Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Melbourne, AUS Posts: 106 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Power outage Hey Leigh, I wouldnt stress. Saturdays going to to be 25C. Bendigo may be a bit warmer. Considering none of the red sea pumps will be running dontworry about temp. Id use the chiller to slowly drop the tank temp to 23-24C before the power drops out. Goto your LFS and get a battery powered airpump or two to provide a bit of circulation/gas exchange. If you cant find bat. powered airpumps just agitate the water every 20 minutes or so. Too be safe freeze as many 2Lt water bottles as you can in case the temp spikes.

02-10-2010, 05:49 AM	#9 (permalink)
Reefmack NaClH2O Addicted Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC, USA Posts: 15,117 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Power outage Leigh - have you thought about the battery backup made for the Vortech? I'm not sure if you could get one in time though. I have the Vortech battery backup and it should keep my MP20 running for 72 hours (36 for an MP40). I have one of these to keep a heater going for 6-8 hours, but something similar would keep the Vortech going much longer (less watts than a heater): The generator would of course be the best to keep the chiller, chiller pump & Vortech running __________________ aka Terry Excellence in reefkeeping is achieved by mastering the fundamentals, and learning from mistakes. No such thing as an evil crab. Only humans have the ability to be evil. 34g Red Sea Max 130 (April 07), ~50-60 lbs. live rock, Aragonite substrate. Lighting: Current USA Outer Orbit Pro - 150W 20K Ushio HQI, 2 x 24 Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI, 2 x 24W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent by UVL, Vortech MP20, Vortech battery backup, LifeReef RSM Siphon, EShopps RS-75 Sump, SWC Extreme 120 cone skimmer, TLF Phosban reactor, Tunze Osmolator ATO, ReefKeeper Lite L3 controller Reefmack's RSM 130 and...Red Sea Max Owners Club and My JBJ 6G

02-10-2010, 02:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
nanoreefing4fun Sailfin Marlin Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central Arkansas, USA Posts: 9,786 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Power outage You can pick these up most everywhere... $11 Battery Operated Air Pump Hagen Battery Operated Air Pump __________________ ~ Red Sea Max 130D ~ Glenn's Reef ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>

02-10-2010, 02:35 PM	#11 (permalink)
FCatCH76 Star Polyps Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 154 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Power outage or $6.29 here:Hagen Battery Operated Air Pump - Air Pumps & Accessories - Fish - PetSmart I'm interested in the Duracell power pack, heard that some can be defective out of box. Have you tried it on the tank and what do you run and for how long?

02-10-2010, 03:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
Reefmack NaClH2O Addicted Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC, USA Posts: 15,117 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Power outage Fcatch - I guess I need to test mine! I'll plug a lamp in. __________________ aka Terry Excellence in reefkeeping is achieved by mastering the fundamentals, and learning from mistakes. No such thing as an evil crab. Only humans have the ability to be evil. 34g Red Sea Max 130 (April 07), ~50-60 lbs. live rock, Aragonite substrate. Lighting: Current USA Outer Orbit Pro - 150W 20K Ushio HQI, 2 x 24 Blue Plus T5 HO Fluorescent by ATI, 2 x 24W Super Actinic T5 HO Fluorescent by UVL, Vortech MP20, Vortech battery backup, LifeReef RSM Siphon, EShopps RS-75 Sump, SWC Extreme 120 cone skimmer, TLF Phosban reactor, Tunze Osmolator ATO, ReefKeeper Lite L3 controller Reefmack's RSM 130 and...Red Sea Max Owners Club and My JBJ 6G

02-10-2010, 06:16 PM	#14 (permalink)
tnwillia Tridacna maxima Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Irmo, South Carolina Posts: 4,158 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Power outage Leigh... a posibility that is cheaper than a generator. See if you can find a AC/DC power inverter that will take your car 12Vdc and change it to 110/220 which ever you are. It will run off your battery for a while then you can run your car for a while. back & forth. If it's summer there, between Terry's ice bottles for cooling this could run a power head for circulation. Not the best solution but may help some. Good luck! __________________ Tom RSM 250 Jan 2009, 10Lb Live Rock, 70Lb Dry rock & 80Lb RS Reef Base, Euro Reef RSM 250 Sump Skimmer, JBJ Artica 1/4hp Chiller, ViaAqua Titanium 300 Heater, 3.5KW Gas Generator, Custom in-cabinet Sump/Fuge and Standard 600GPH Prefilter from LifeReef. Iwaki WMD40LXT External pump, JBJ ATO. 2 Vortech MP40w-ES with battery backup and Outer Orbit dual 150 HQI/T5 with Phoenix 14K bulbs, 2 Giesemann Pure Actnic & 2 Giesemann Actinic plus. Digital Aquatics RKE Net. SWC Extreme 160 Cone Skimmer on the way. My Tank Thread http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...rsm-250-a.html Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. Ronald Reagan

02-10-2010, 06:23 PM	#15 (permalink)
redsea reefer Reef Shark Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: L.A, California Posts: 5,817 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Power outage You got some great advice Leigh, I would of done what Terry said. I hope everything goes smooth. __________________ 34g RSM 130 - Tunze 9002 skimmer with inTank media rack - Vortech MP10 Eddie's RSM 130 Latest tank pic "As sure as God made black and white, what you've done in the dark will be brought to the light and sooner or later God's gonna cut you down." - Johnny Cash

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