Battery backup

[Frank Infanti]

I'm running two Jebao RW15 & was wondering on a battery backup option. Anyone out there using a computer UPS or an other straight plug in option?

[WarDog]

Come to the social meet Aug 8th and talk to gregzz4, he knows all about that gizmo stuff!

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by WarDog

Come to the social meet Aug 8th and talk to gregzz4, he knows all about that gizmo stuff!

Thanks Warren

Yup, I can explain it all to you if you can make the meet. The current start time is in question, but so far the majority is for 5PM.
This is the thread for the place, and this is the poll for the start time.

If you can't make it, or wait 'till then, here's my DIY thread covering my Battery B/U

[shiftline]

I have my whole tank hooked up to a PC ups. Works great and keeps the tank running

[Frank Infanti]

I was thinking of a CPU battery backup UPS but I don't think it will last long. I'm hoping to run close to 300watts. I'll run just the wave makers which will be 80watts total.

How many watts are you supporting on that backup?
How long does the backup provide power for?
What's the capacity of the battery backup?

Thanks

[Janeallisonn]

Originally Posted by shiftline

I have my whole tank hooked up to a PC ups. Works great and keeps the tank running

Out of curiosity, what brand/size of UPS are you running?

[shiftline]

its a APC 1500 VA one,

I bought a new one for my computer as an excuse to use to use the old one on the tank

Like this one>

[xlzerolx]

FYI I believe pets and ponds has the "official" battery back-ups for the jaebo's

[Simons]

I have noticed many people commenting on the 'just essential' equipment during a power outage. I think most would put their return pumps into that category but I disagree.

I do believe it is important and it is something I have planned for but it isn't the most essential, at least not in my set up. I do not have a high rate of water running through my sump, primarily because your water volume through the sump should be only as much as your skimmer can handle (assuming you are indeed, running a skimmer). I know all the rules of thumb X turnover rate per/hour based on the volume of your display tank but skimmers should set that requirement assuming you have an appropriate size skimmer for your needs. So for me, a skimmer is not essential during a power outage and would be difficult to support due to their generally high power load requirements.

Power heads...that's the most important in the power outage, gas exchange is fundamentally the top priority. Tanks can live without dosing, skimming or a 'fuge' for a long time but only hours without good flow.

If you return pump is very large and you are pushing lots of water through your sump then, okay; I can see that being your gas exchange but for tanks similar to mine I would argue that point. 90% of my bio filtration (nitrogen cycle) load is in the tank where 90% of my porous rock is situated. I do have some in my sump but not enough to sustain my tank, so outside of the skimmer and some chemical reactors the sump is secondary to my needs.

I can run for 2 days with no power on my battery backups to the point where, in the winter falling tank temperatures might be the second greatest issue. That is another discussion since heaters draw so much power it wouldn't be feasible on battery backup, it would be generator time for something with that kind of load.

Sorry, just my 2 cents on essentials. I know everyone's tank is different but generally I would say most tanks I have seen the sump is never the primary concern in a power outage.

[shiftline]

My tank only draws 80-120 watts. Not sure how long it lasts but a few hours anyways with out doing. Ideally one would just run the return pump off it as its the most essential part of the system. I have everything plugged into mine

I'll go check the estimates run time when I'm home. I have all my gear hooked up to a switch panel so I haut hooked the panel to the ups for now