Power Outtages - Preparation

[Anonymous]

Apparently the power at my apartment is out right now, and since the winter months are around the corner I wanted to ask what you do or use during power outtages.

I'm thinking battery powered aerators. I can't exactly have a generator, so what could I do to prepare for power outtages?

tia

 

[WRASSER]

Mrktplayer,
If you have a balcony, they do make a small generator for camping. I think it is a thousand watts and pretty quite.
When i lost power during katrina i used a power converter for the car and just ran the pump takin turns for each tank.
and like you have stated the battery operated aerators.

 

[Anonymous]

Mrktplayer,
If you have a balcony, they do make a small generator for camping. I think it is a thousand watts and pretty quite.
When i lost power during katrina i used a power converter for the car and just ran the pump takin turns for each tank.
and like you have stated the battery operated aerators.

The cheapest generator I found is about 300 bucks. Hmm... I need a kalk reactor too. The power inverters are as little as $40 and I think I'll go that route.

But for a 50 gallon, would a battery operated aerator be sufficient? What else do I need to run in order for the corals and fish to survive during a power outtage.

Last winter here in Seattle it was quite severe. Majority of places went a week or more without power. I hope that doesn't happen this year...

 

[Len]

I use battery powered air pumps. A computer UPS (uninterrupted power supply) works fine in a pinch too. Most output in square waves which isn't ideal for analog devices like motors (pumps), but it will work and is fine for the short run. A sizable UPS will power a few powerheads for many hours, and even a heater if necessary.

 

[WRASSER]

what i did with the battery pumps is i let them run all night, and the next day i use the converter every couple hours.
usally the battery would fade out and i would replace them the next night. :wink:

 

[WRASSER]

Len,
i have wanted to try the UPS for my 150, will the UPS run a mag 9 for a while?

 

[Anonymous]

I use battery powered air pumps. A computer UPS (uninterrupted power supply) works fine in a pinch too. Most output in square waves which isn't ideal for analog devices like motors (pumps), but it will work and is fine for the short run. A sizable UPS will power a few powerheads for many hours, and even a heater if necessary.

Len, i'm checkin out the UPS. What size would you recommend that could power 2 powerheads for several hours? The UPS is a good idea too because I don't have to deal with removing my car battery. If it gets too spendy then I'll just resort to the inverter

 

[Anonymous]

I have a battery back up for one of my vortech pumps, which is nice because it kicks in automatically whether I am home or not. That should give me ~30 hours of flow.
I have a generator for longer outages.

 

[WRASSER]

pitpat,
how big is the back up and how many watts is your pump?

 

[brandonberry]

If you live in a place where outages are common for a week or more, I would definitely have a generator, at least as a back-up. $300 is nothing when you think of all you could loose, assuming you have a decent collection of corals and fish.

 

[mr_X]

for the size of the UPS you'll need to run what you want to run for a period of a full day or more, you might as well purchase a generator. then you might be able to keep your fridge cold too.

 

[ChrisRD]

I have a generator and my house is wired to run several circuits on generator power (including the one the tank is on) in an outage.

Back when I lived in apartments I kept an inverter (converts DC to AC) and a 100' extension cord handy so I could power my tank with the car if needed. It saved my tank a couple of times.

Inverters can also be used with a deep-cycle marine battery as sortof a UPS on steroids. :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

pitpat,
how big is the back up and how many watts is your pump?

I believe the vortech uses between 15 and 40 watts, depending on the speed it is set at. The back up is manufactured by ecotech specifically for this pump, its about 9" x 7" x 3" and contains an 18amp, 12 volt battery.
This isn't a cheap option, but it requires no thought on my part. The battery stays charged, and if the power is out the pump keeps running like nothing ever happened.

 

[WRASSER]

yea i have been tryin to find out bout the back ups at like office depot. they say it will run at like 700 watts for two hours. the mag 9 is 120 watts and i dont know if it will run longer with that or not.
i am looking for something like that because i lost 17 fish with katrina and dont want to do that again. i do have a generator but if im not home at the time i too want back up. Do you know if your back will work with the mag 9? maybe not as long

 

[Anonymous]

I have a generator and my house is wired to run several circuits on generator power (including the one the tank is on) in an outage.

Back when I lived in apartments I kept an inverter (converts DC to AC) and a 100' extension cord handy so I could power my tank with the car if needed. It saved my tank a couple of times.

Inverters can also be used with a deep-cycle marine battery as sortof a UPS on steroids. :wink:

I have a red top optima battery in my car. 100' extention cord is a good idea too. I may just go this route.

 

[mr_X]

for about 500 bucks, you can support your tank indefinitely. the cost of a small chiller. this is the route i will take as soon as i am able. however, i will by purchasing something i can also power the fridge with too :wink:

 

[trido]

I have a generator and my house is wired to run several circuits on generator power (including the one the tank is on) in an outage.

Back when I lived in apartments I kept an inverter (converts DC to AC) and a 100' extension cord handy so I could power my tank with the car if needed. It saved my tank a couple of times.

Inverters can also be used with a deep-cycle marine battery as sortof a UPS on steroids. :wink:

I have a red top optima battery in my car. 100' extention cord is a good idea too. I may just go this route.

You can get an 800 watt inverter at your local auto parts store for about 60 bucks. Last winter I ran heaters and return pumps in two tanks with this method. The only pit fall in this plan is that the inverter will weaken the battery to the point the inverter will automatically shut off. Then you have to leave the car running. I didnt sleep at all knowing someone could hop in and drive off with my truck that was running all night in the driveway. :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

I have a generator and my house is wired to run several circuits on generator power (including the one the tank is on) in an outage.

Back when I lived in apartments I kept an inverter (converts DC to AC) and a 100' extension cord handy so I could power my tank with the car if needed. It saved my tank a couple of times.

Inverters can also be used with a deep-cycle marine battery as sortof a UPS on steroids. :wink:

I have a red top optima battery in my car. 100' extention cord is a good idea too. I may just go this route.

You can get an 800 watt inverter at your local auto parts store for about 60 bucks. Last winter I ran heaters and return pumps in two tanks with this method. The only pit fall in this plan is that the inverter will weaken the battery to the point the inverter will automatically shut off. Then you have to leave the car running. I didnt sleep at all knowing someone could hop in and drive off with my truck that was running all night in the driveway. :wink:

I have a car alarm with remote start 8) But if my hood is open thieves are able to disarm my alarm :? For me I think this is the best option.

 

[DaFrog]

One word of caution with a UPS: It might die the first time you sue it (and will aslo damage the pump) as they like to output square waves while pumps like siine waves - My disaster plan is to keep a list of all places that sell generators within a 20 miles radius and have a credit card ready....

 

[mr_X]

if you wait until a disaster to buy a generator, your chances will be extremely slim finding one. that's the first thing people raid the stores for.....besides milk and bread