HELP- Power Outtage

[ed4]

A UPS inherently has automation built-in. It detects a utility electical outage and resumes electrical output to an attached device, such as a water pump. This is key when no one's home. A battery-operated air pump obviously needs a person to set it up during an outage.

Again it can be 1 circ pump hooked up the the UPS to get the water moving. It doesn't have to be a 50W 1.0A return pump.

When factoring in the cost, the (subjective) perception of value comes into play, making air pumps more attractive, IMO.

 

[kres1024]

For larger systems a portable generator is the only way to go..
Got a portable propane generator and on a 20lb propane tank powers my two large tanks including lights and chiller along with a fridge tv and a few other items for 20 hours

 

[jerl77]

glad it worked out for you dan you can alway throw the nano in the car and run over here with it

 

[prattreef]

Yes a battery backup of some sort is ideal, but there is no reason for each and every aquarist not to own a battery operated air pump or 2. Personally, I think a Vortech with battery back up is the best of all possible situations as you are double dipping the utility of one piece of equipment. Generators are great, but lots of apartment dwellers cannot use one.

 

[Jpaul]

Hate to be negative but I work for national grid/Lipa. Good luck waiting for them to get the power back on! Seriously.

 

[DREUTZ]

First of all thanks for the input and suggestions from everyone. Luckily temperature was not a factor and the outage only lasted 6 hours. I set alarms for every half hour and would take a little nap and then get up and stir for 5 minutes and repeat. The power went on at around 2:30 so I was able to get some uninterrupted sleep before work!

This episode got me thinking... what if I wasn't home and this happened!!!

I am definitely going to buy some sort of back up but had a few questions.

1. I could be wrong but is a UPS backup, just a computer backup? How can I tell how long the backup will last as I am guessing it depends on the pieces of equipment plugged into it which would be a small return pump and possibly my MP10.

2. Would I benefit more from putting the backup on the return pump or buying a vortech backup? (Tank is a 29 gallon BC, no sump, rear chambers only have some cheat in them) The MP10 will move a lot more water than the stock return pump.

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

A UPS inherently has automation built-in. It detects a utility electical outage and resumes electrical output to an attached device, such as a water pump. This is key when no one's home. A battery-operated air pump obviously needs a person to set it up during an outage.

Again it can be 1 circ pump hooked up the the UPS to get the water moving. It doesn't have to be a 50W 1.0A return pump.

When factoring in the cost, the (subjective) perception of value comes into play, making air pumps more attractive, IMO.

WRONG!!!!! :fight2:

The air pumps ALSO auto start when there is no power! I have them always in my tank(even though not all my tanks-I just got too many)
There is a switch on the top(ViaAqua DC250) to tell it to auto start when power is out.
You have to get the right one, they are designed for power outage just like UPS.
Cost me $7.00 from Wavepoint in MACNA, retails $9.00-$11.00. You put one in the sump and one in the display tank.

The major draw back of this type of backup is it does not handle canister filter nor calcium reactors. Neither will the UPS when they run out of the juice.

During the last couple months, many tanks in the tornadoes stricken area of mid east, survived simply with the battery air pumps but those with UPS cannot do anything, they don't have batteries for UPS and the first day after the tornadoes, ALL generators are sold out. They do have DD batteries . If you are active over fish forums over those area such as Kansas, Missouri..., you can see how many people are praising such low cost solution solve the most disturbing tornadoes torn area for days and even week.

The most important thing is that it lasts more than a day with just two batteries. Most UPS implementations hardly run more than 4 hours. If going UPS route, I would do what Warren did, a marine type battery with inverter. That will buy you a lot more time than regular UPS. Of course, it comes with a price too. Most implementations cost over a thousand. Even with such battery backups, I will still put my air pumps in my most loved tank.

 

[prattreef]

If you already own an MP10 I would def. go for the Eco Tech batery backup. It automatically slows your pump to half speed and you get about 24hrs. of run time. It also recharges itself.

 

[kres1024]

If you have the vortecks go with the DIY battery back ups the last longer and half the cost of the Eco tech battery back up

 

[DREUTZ]

If you have the vortecks go with the DIY battery back ups the last longer and half the cost of the Eco tech battery back up

Not trying to burn down the house... I'll probably buy the ecotech one!!! :hb2:

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I can only speak from my experience. Again the ups IN MY EXPERIENCE is MY best option. In my experience the ups is a more practical piece of equipment. Because MY return pump is small due to the size of my tank. Again in MY EXPERIENCE the battery powered air pump increase evaporation and requires additional top off water to be kept close at hand. I am NOT saying that you should not get a battery powered air pump. I am saying that MY backup plan is a ups. Also to answer the question about a ups being solely for computers, it is not. It can be used to power other things as well. I have been using a ups on my tank for years.

FYI I don't not work in the ups manufacturing or sales industry.