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mr.wilson · #1 10-21-2009, 05:13 AM

The nice thing about an air pump backup system is it will cost you less than $20 and it comes on automatically when the power goes out. The air lift is more effective than a powerhead because it moves just as much water but does so from the bottom to the top rather than the less efficient side-side pattern of a powerhead. You can hide a few air lines within your rock work. When the power goes off, the ac plug switches the battery operated air pump on. You will get many hours out of the battery. The B10 model is just an air pump, while the B11 model has the auto-activation when the power goes out.
http://www.mops.ca/pdf/2007cat_p01.pdf

fkshiu · #2 10-21-2009, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.wilson

The nice thing about an air pump backup system is it will cost you less than $20 and it comes on automatically when the power goes out. The air lift is more effective than a powerhead because it moves just as much water but does so from the bottom to the top rather than the less efficient side-side pattern of a powerhead. You can hide a few air lines within your rock work. When the power goes off, the ac plug switches the battery operated air pump on. You will get many hours out of the battery. The B10 model is just an air pump, while the B11 model has the auto-activation when the power goes out.
http://www.mops.ca/pdf/2007cat_p01.pdf

Has anybody tested how long these puppies last before the batteries die?

mr.wilson · #3 10-21-2009, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fkshiu

Has anybody tested how long these puppies last before the batteries die?

Someone told me once but I forgot. It was well over 12 hours though. This model may last longer than the B11. http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS...ybackupairpump

This one claims about 72 hours of battery life (two x D). http://www.seaquestmarine.com/Life_A...p/won_la50.htm

Snaz · #4 10-21-2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fkshiu

Has anybody tested how long these puppies last before the batteries die?

I have one of the double-D cell air pumps running my ATO and I am using the original batteries since I installed it early last summer. Typically it runs for 2 minutes every hour and certainly more on hot days. I think the 72 hour run time is probably accurate with a new set of duracell. Damn things are loud as hell though as they are piston driven and not diaphragm.

mike31154 · #5 10-21-2009, 04:31 PM

Ha, ha, yeah, I have the "SilentAir" B-11. It's anything but silent, however, that can be a good thing, alerts you right away when the circuit trips.

mr.wilson · #6 10-21-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike31154

Ha, ha, yeah, I have the "SilentAir" B-11. It's anything but silent, however, that can be a good thing, alerts you right away when the circuit trips.

Yeah, it may not have an iphone ap, but it lets you know you have a problem

Coleus · #7 10-27-2009, 04:53 PM

Ok ordered the Slient Air B-11

Going to buy the Champion Power Generator 3000W at costco for 275 (on sale $75 off this week). I think it should be a great back up with Costco 100% satisfaction guarantee
________
Granny Cam

mr.wilson · #8 10-27-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coleus

Ok ordered the Slient Air B-11

Going to buy the Champion Power Generator 3000W at costco for 275 (on sale $75 off this week). I think it should be a great back up with Costco 100% satisfaction guarantee

That combination will give you more bang for the buck. Personally, I find gas generators to be overkill and impractical (noise, space, and maintenance) but at least you are covered for a longer period of time and it's there for other family emergencies and projects. You can run the air pump for the first few hours then set up the generator if it looks like a long haul. Tell your neighbours about the sale so they don't come around with an extension cord when the power goes out

freddy · #9 10-27-2009, 07:38 PM

Bought a noma 400 from canadian tire.Power was out for 6 hours,it ran my 500 aquaclear,skimmer,heater and one powerhead,no problems,one thing I like about battery backup is that when the power goes out,it dosen't skip a beat everything keeps running as of the power never went out,well worth the money.

mr.wilson · #10 10-27-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freddy

Bought a noma 400 from canadian tire.Power was out for 6 hours,it ran my 500 aquaclear,skimmer,heater and one powerhead,no problems,one thing I like about battery backup is that when the power goes out,it dosen't skip a beat everything keeps running as of the power never went out,well worth the money.

Yeah, UPS (uninterrupted power source) systems have that definite advantage. You can always daisy chain more deep charge batteries to it for extended outages. Once you get into days, rather than hours you have bigger problems than your tank crashing