Emergency Measures to use NOW - Page 4

mray · 06-26-2008, 12:30 PM

EDIT

Ok, I just read that the wire is 10ft long and the air line is 7 ft long so it would work. It might just be worth it because if it is large enough to oxygenate a pond then it should be enough.

stdreb27 · 06-30-2008, 04:05 PM

There are alot of places to get power from when there is no power. Ultimately a generator is the way to go. But if you don't have 300 bucks to pick one up. (before hand) the pouring water method isn't bad. If nothing else, pull the battery out of your car. Run your stuff, let it run down, then drive around a bit to recharge your battery. (if you have a boat battery even better, the deep cycle batteries are designed to be charged up run down then charged back up)
I lost power for 2 day in houston for some big spring thunder storm. Depending on your tank size, the ice stuff might work, for me it didn't 2 -2 liter bottles of water lasted an hour and didn't lower the temp in my tank. (think about how much ice you put in your soft drink...) That (especially in a heat wave can kill your tank faster than keeping it oxygenated.) If you can wrap a blanket around your tank. And run some fans to get the evap up and lower your water temp.

Paul B · 07-07-2008, 09:53 AM

My 3 SCUBA tanks could provide airation for my reef for a few days.
I have used them many times before I had a generator.
You could get a used SCUBA tank fairly cheap and it's about $15.00 to fill it.
Or you could borrow one from a diver. You do need a preasure regulator though which I made from an old SCUBA regulator.

**ShaunW** · 07-13-2008, 09:55 PM

An extra chiller would have only saved my latest reef related problem,

.

Every summer I take a step backwards, my beautiful tank took an unfortunate hit when my chiller died and it took 2 months to fix.

georgelc86 · 07-16-2008, 01:59 PM

You can also take a booster pack for your car battery and attach a power inverter to the booster pack, the kind you plug into the cig lighter on the vehicle and that should give you some power until something with a little more juice is available. But it should at least run an air pump and a powerhead to get that oxygen to those corals. Some of these packs have 600 amps of jumper so they should buy some time if your in a pinch. Its also useful for the car when your stranded and a power inverter is useful if you need to charge a cell phone a lot while in your car.

masterswimmer · 07-16-2008, 05:50 PM

You can get the power inverters for $35-$$$$ depending on the amount of wattage (not amps) and how 'clean' the electricity is. I've got this setup and its proven invaluable in a pinch. I highly recommend a deep cycle marine battery. It'll hold the charge a lot longer than a standard car battery.

swimmer

mray · 07-16-2008, 05:54 PM

Gas generators are about $200. I think it's worth if especially if people are willing to pay $300+ for chillers.

masterswimmer · 07-16-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mray


	Gas generators are about $200. I think it's worth if especially if people are willing to pay $300+ for chillers.

Totally agree....however, lots of MR members live in apartments in and around NYC that don't permit gas engines even on terraces.

swimmer

georgelc86 · 07-17-2008, 11:06 AM

Just a thought, my setup is really meant for quick fix not for a long term blackout solution.

**KathyC** · 09-05-2008, 01:54 AM

With the expected storm coming up the East Coast on Saturday, it's a good idea to re-read some of the suggestions in this thread.

While it was originally started as a thread for heatwave emergencies, power interruptions from high winds will also leave us with the same challenges.

Today would be a good time to fill up a few empty soda bottles (with water of course..) and get them into your freezer (Sunday is supposed to be warm again!).
Check the batteries that you purchased earlier this summer for your battery driven air pumps, and pick up an extra set.
Make sure your UPS is fully charged, if you have one.
Squeeze in a quick water change today so that your parameteres are in order and your oxygen levels are at their best.

Remember, if you only have a limited amount of power available to you, the MOST important thing to concentrate on is getting oxygen into your DT and creating gas exchange at the surface of the water. Even if it means isolating your DT from your sump.

If you have a canister filter on your system and you lose power, you MUST empty the contents completely before you restart your system or the dead bacteria in that canister can easily wipe out your tank.

06-26-2008, 12:30 PM	#31
mray Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Queens Posts: 580 Reefer Ratings: (22) Friends: (1)	EDIT Ok, I just read that the wire is 10ft long and the air line is 7 ft long so it would work. It might just be worth it because if it is large enough to oxygenate a pond then it should be enough. Last edited by mray; 06-26-2008 at 12:32 PM.

07-13-2008, 09:55 PM	#34
ShaunW Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,662 Reefer Ratings: (37) Friends: (0)	An extra chiller would have only saved my latest reef related problem, . Every summer I take a step backwards, my beautiful tank took an unfortunate hit when my chiller died and it took 2 months to fix. __________________ *"I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations."* - James Madison, to the Virginia ratifying Convention, June 16, 1788. "I sincerely believe.....that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies, and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity under the name of funding is but swindling futurity on a large scale." -Thomas Jefferson

07-16-2008, 05:50 PM	#36
masterswimmer www.saltwatercritters.com Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Orange County Posts: 9,253 Reefer Ratings: (88) Friends: (16)	You can get the power inverters for $35-$$$$ depending on the amount of wattage (not amps) and how 'clean' the electricity is. I've got this setup and its proven invaluable in a pinch. I highly recommend a deep cycle marine battery. It'll hold the charge a lot longer than a standard car battery. swimmer __________________ House of Fish (845) 610-3114 www.saltwatercritters.com Serving all your saltwater critter and reef needs

09-05-2008, 01:54 AM	#40
KathyC Rafflemeister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Barnum Island Posts: 4,760 Reefer Ratings: (81) Friends: (54)	With the expected storm coming up the East Coast on Saturday, it's a good idea to re-read some of the suggestions in this thread. While it was originally started as a thread for heatwave emergencies, power interruptions from high winds will also leave us with the same challenges. Today would be a good time to fill up a few empty soda bottles (with water of course..) and get them into your freezer (Sunday is supposed to be warm again!). Check the batteries that you purchased earlier this summer for your battery driven air pumps, and pick up an extra set. Make sure your UPS is fully charged, if you have one. Squeeze in a quick water change today so that your parameteres are in order and your oxygen levels are at their best. Remember, if you only have a limited amount of power available to you, the MOST important thing to concentrate on is getting oxygen into your DT and creating gas exchange at the surface of the water. Even if it means isolating your DT from your sump. If you have a canister filter on your system and you lose power, you MUST empty the contents completely before you restart your system or the dead bacteria in that canister can easily wipe out your tank. __________________ Don't just treat the symptom, remedy the cause! Last edited by KathyC; 09-05-2008 at 02:10 AM. Reason: spelling

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

06-30-2008, 04:05 PM	#32
stdreb27 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 13 Reefer Ratings: (0) Friends: (0)	There are alot of places to get power from when there is no power. Ultimately a generator is the way to go. But if you don't have 300 bucks to pick one up. (before hand) the pouring water method isn't bad. If nothing else, pull the battery out of your car. Run your stuff, let it run down, then drive around a bit to recharge your battery. (if you have a boat battery even better, the deep cycle batteries are designed to be charged up run down then charged back up) I lost power for 2 day in houston for some big spring thunder storm. Depending on your tank size, the ice stuff might work, for me it didn't 2 -2 liter bottles of water lasted an hour and didn't lower the temp in my tank. (think about how much ice you put in your soft drink...) That (especially in a heat wave can kill your tank faster than keeping it oxygenated.) If you can wrap a blanket around your tank. And run some fans to get the evap up and lower your water temp.

07-07-2008, 09:53 AM	#33
Paul B Three decade club Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Hyde Park Posts: 744 Reefer Ratings: (3) Friends: (3)	My 3 SCUBA tanks could provide airation for my reef for a few days. I have used them many times before I had a generator. You could get a used SCUBA tank fairly cheap and it's about $15.00 to fill it. Or you could borrow one from a diver. You do need a preasure regulator though which I made from an old SCUBA regulator.

07-16-2008, 01:59 PM	#35
georgelc86 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 1,303 Reefer Ratings: (16) Friends: (6)	You can also take a booster pack for your car battery and attach a power inverter to the booster pack, the kind you plug into the cig lighter on the vehicle and that should give you some power until something with a little more juice is available. But it should at least run an air pump and a powerhead to get that oxygen to those corals. Some of these packs have 600 amps of jumper so they should buy some time if your in a pinch. Its also useful for the car when your stranded and a power inverter is useful if you need to charge a cell phone a lot while in your car.

07-16-2008, 05:54 PM	#37
mray Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Queens Posts: 580 Reefer Ratings: (22) Friends: (1)	Gas generators are about $200. I think it's worth if especially if people are willing to pay $300+ for chillers.

07-17-2008, 11:06 AM	#39
georgelc86 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 1,303 Reefer Ratings: (16) Friends: (6)	Just a thought, my setup is really meant for quick fix not for a long term blackout solution.