Backup Options

[Neilan]

I still consider myself relatively new to this hobby. This past weekend I lost power for 5 hours. Not a big deal, compared to what others lost, but it got me thinking on ways to backup my system. Installing a generator isn't really an option, so I'm looking at UPS battery backup systems as a potential that will provide at least some level of hours of protection.

 

So, what to backup? Obviously, heater(s), but in terms of maintaining some flow what is preferred? Should I backup my return pump, or allow the sump and fuge to go cold to sacrifice for the tank and just maintain 1 or 2 of the powerheads I have in the DT? The 2 powerheads I could run for far longer than the return pump just based on power consumption.

 

My return pump is a Mag 7, which according to the specs draws 60W.

Or, I could just run my 2 K2 pumps, which only draw 4.5W each, and get much more duration out of the UPS. Would this be sufficient?

 

Obviously I'd have to bring the temps in the sump/fuge back up to normal before putting them back online when power returns, but in my mind this is the best option.

 

Am I on the right path?

Edited February 8, 2010 by Neilan

[Brian Ward]

yep, you're on the right path. The powerheads in the tank are much more important than the return pump. you're looking to get surface agitation to enhance oxygen transfer from the air into the tank.

[Neilan]

Thanks Brian. Doing some research to figure out the best method. Even a large 1500VA UPS won't run that long if I end up running the heaters at any kind of duty cycle. Gonna have to look into a deep cycle marine battery and inverter, see if that'd be any better.

[Brian Ward]

Thanks Brian. Doing some research to figure out the best method. Even a large 1500VA UPS won't run that long if I end up running the heaters at any kind of duty cycle. Gonna have to look into a deep cycle marine battery and inverter, see if that'd be any better.

 

The deep cycle marine batteries are your best bet. Many people use them. Another thing to look at - much more expensive but more versatile (and I'm going to buy one as soon as I have the money) is the Honda inverter generators. Take a look here: http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/product...amp;category=sq

 

They run forever on a gallon of gasoline - only generating the amount of power needed at the time. Highly portable and VERY quiet.

[sturnmeyer]

The deep cycle marine batteries are your best bet. Many people use them. Another thing to look at - much more expensive but more versatile (and I'm going to buy one as soon as I have the money) is the Honda inverter generators. Take a look here: http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/product...amp;category=sq

 

They run forever on a gallon of gasoline - only generating the amount of power needed at the time. Highly portable and VERY quiet.

 

 

I have one of the Honda generators and it is perfect. If the power goes out I simply run two extension cords to my two tanks and it will run everything, even lights but I cut them off to save the fuel. They are a bit pricy, but well worth every penny.

[Hilary]

I used a marine battery this weekend and after two hours I got an alarm whenever I plugged in the heater. It continued to run powerheads and non-heating elements for the full 12 hours that I was out of power, however. Don't know if the issue was my inverter, which says that it cannot be used for equipment such as hair dryers? Looking at watts used I should have been fine.

[wfoxfox]

My concern is: The power goes off after I leave for work and it is 8 to 10 hours before I get home to use my generator. Knowing you need the power is as much of a problem as needing other power.......

[gmubeach]

This is going to sound stupid but I used a battery powered automaticly switching pump when the power went out everything but my fish did really well... the fish didn't look good after about 9 hours without power... I highly recomend them for 8$ anyway make sure you add a antibacking device so you don't flood your house... best wishes Troy

[Jon Lazar]

My concern is: The power goes off after I leave for work and it is 8 to 10 hours before I get home to use my generator. Knowing you need the power is as much of a problem as needing other power.......

 

My Aquacontroller is set up to email me if there is a power failure. The Aquacontroller and my router are both on a UPS, so I get notified whether it's the whole house or just a single circuit breaker.

[hbh]

When we were out of power for 3 days I used the battery operated pumps too and alternated between tanks- FW and SW- and 1x a day put new warm water in from the gas stove. Everything else was off and didn't feed them but lightly 1x. I had just fed mine really well just the day before and was glad for it! I think we ran an electrical cord to my car's power outlet a couple of times for an hour max to run the pumps and get more water movement but I found it stressed out the fish and got them moving and thus using more O2! So we stopped and waited. Everything came through but I admit I do not have expensive fish or corals.

Last time someone mentioned and diagrammed how to use an airstone and a tube (?) to get really good flow. Anyone remember that thread or how to do it?

[Sikryd]

My concern is: The power goes off after I leave for work and it is 8 to 10 hours before I get home to use my generator. Knowing you need the power is as much of a problem as needing other power.......

 

+1 to what Jon said below. With a controller, it tells you if the power goes out.

 

My Aquacontroller is set up to email me if there is a power failure. The Aquacontroller and my router are both on a UPS, so I get notified whether it's the whole house or just a single circuit breaker.

 

AFAIK - the controller and router don't have to be on a UPS. I'll have to test that though and see what happens if I shut the breaker off to the controller and the router and see what happens.

[bankyf]

I thought I was good with that same setup... Until I realized that the Fios battery only backs up the telephone portion and internet and tv are dropped to conserve power. I guess I am in the market for a UPS for my Fios box. Fortunately I did not learn this the hard way.

 

My Aquacontroller is set up to email me if there is a power failure. The Aquacontroller and my router are both on a UPS, so I get notified whether it's the whole house or just a single circuit breaker.

[Coral Hind]

My Aquacontroller is set up to email me if there is a power failure. The Aquacontroller and my router are both on a UPS, so I get notified whether it's the whole house or just a single circuit breaker.

 

If your ACIII is on an UPS how will it know when the power goes out?

[Jon Lazar]

If your ACIII is on an UPS how will it know when the power goes out?

 

Good question, and I should have been clearer. The AC3 has a regular power jack, which is plugged into a regular house outlet. The backup power jack is connected to the UPS. The AC3 comes with only one power adapter/wall wart, so I bought a second one for $6 from Jameco (100837 TRANS,WALL,9VDC/200mA,M2).

 

[Jon Lazar]

I thought I was good with that same setup... Until I realized that the Fios battery only backs up the telephone portion and internet and tv are dropped to conserve power. I guess I am in the market for a UPS for my Fios box. Fortunately I did not learn this the hard way.

 

 

I'll have to opcheck that on my Cox setup and make sure I still have internet access when the power goes out.

[DaveS]

The router and cable modem needs to be on UPS otherwise your internet connection goes down. Good info about the FiOS UPS dropping internet and TV. Time to put my UPS on a UPS!

 

Anyone else have one of those Honda generators? Are they as quiet as they make it seem?

[khalid]

The router and cable modem needs to be on UPS otherwise your internet connection goes down. Good info about the FiOS UPS dropping internet and TV. Time to put my UPS on a UPS!

 

Anyone else have one of those Honda generators? Are they as quiet as they make it seem?

 

I have used the small honda generators before and it worked great but don't expect it to be as quiet as they make it seem because the one I was using, the 2000 watt version on the site, made a decent amount of noise. Either way I still think they are a must when the power go's out to keep from lossing you livestock. I currently have a husky generator for back up but that is no way near as light as the honda one but the husky puts out 3750 watts for 12 hours on a 4 gallon tank. It costs $500 at home depot.

[Reefer37]

Honda by far makes the best generator. They are way quieter than any other model and probably more efficent. They are also way more $$ than others. I bought a 7500w craftsman with a briggs and stratton and electic start for about 1/3 the price of an equivalent honda. Its loud but gets the job done.

[Coral Hind]

Good question, and I should have been clearer. The AC3 has a regular power jack, which is plugged into a regular house outlet. The backup power jack is connected to the UPS. The AC3 comes with only one power adapter/wall wart, so I bought a second one for $6 from Jameco (100837 TRANS,WALL,9VDC/200mA,M2).

 

 

Gotcha, that makes since now. I just have a 9v battery wired to the "battery" port.

[Brian Ward]

The router and cable modem needs to be on UPS otherwise your internet connection goes down. Good info about the FiOS UPS dropping internet and TV. Time to put my UPS on a UPS!

 

Anyone else have one of those Honda generators? Are they as quiet as they make it seem?

 

My old boss has one for his boat and loves it. I also walk by one on a food cart on my way to the metro. They are definitely quiet - much quieter than a normal generator. Also, don't forget that they only generate the amount of electricity being used so it uses much less gas than a regular generator. At least if you're using it at a low load level.

[sen5241b]

My plan if power goes out:

 

RUN AIR PUMPS AND HEATER ONLY

Use auto inverter to run 2 air pumps (Tried this last summer and it works)

Try to run 150 watt (or my 50 watt) heater off auto-inverter

Use gas stove to heat water

 

Is this plan feasible??!!

[Jan]

Don't forget the powerhead in your refugium too. If that stuff dies off when the power comes back it will be in your main tank...