Backup power?

msteele · #1 11-29-2005, 04:14 PM

My power was out for 4 hours last night, and it's only the first snowfall of the year. I've heard rumours that last year power was out for 4 days mid-winter before being restored.

Does anyone run a battery back-up system on their tank and if so what do you use?
I have a 36 gallon tank and think that the inhabitants would survive with one powerhead in an emergency, just enough to keep the water moving until power is restored.

I've had a battery back-up system on my computer at work, but it is NOISY when it is running from the battery, beeping all the time. I'd like to avoid the noise if possible.

Any thoughts?

Doormatt · #2 11-29-2005, 04:35 PM

I've been thinking about this a lot.

The problem is, the loads we run on our tanks are mostly inductive and resistive, and they're not small (yours aside).

If I were you, I'd go to Costco, and pick up a 1000VA APC UPS.

Yes, they'll beep, but you're not going to find a product that will do what you want it to without beeping.

DanG · #3 11-29-2005, 04:42 PM

One or 2 of these should work if you don't want to buy a ups.
http://www.mops.ca/cgi-bin/SoftCart....525+1133290024

WWWD · #4 11-29-2005, 05:15 PM

that might be ok for the fish but the coral needs water movement and heat in the winter.

msteele · #5 11-29-2005, 06:17 PM

I don't have any corals yet, just two fish, live rock and lots of inverts, but am looking to add some in the near future. . . but that is the subject for a future post

Thanks for the link to the battery operated air pump. Initially that seems like it will do the trick, but I think I need something that will kick in immediately if the power goes off, just in case I'm not home when it happens.

I guess a UPS is the most practical solution - I could hook it to a powerhead to maintain some waterflow as well as a heater to maintain temperature. If only they weren't so loud. I'm sure my husband and housemates don't want to hear it in the middle of the night.

KrazyKuch · #6 11-29-2005, 06:27 PM

Then just disable the Beeper!!!

Doormatt · #7 11-29-2005, 06:48 PM

The problem with a UPS, is you're not going to like the price of one that can drive a 200W heater and a powerhead or two for more than 20-30 minutes.

Assume 300-400W load for your tank (on average), and you quickly start looking at $500-1000 UPSes to deal with that kind of load.

And again, UPSes arn't designed to deal with resistive loads.

Samw · #8 11-29-2005, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msteele

Thanks for the link to the battery operated air pump. Initially that seems like it will do the trick, but I think I need something that will kick in immediately if the power goes off, just in case I'm not home when it happens.

There's actually a better pump then that Hagen one. I threw my Hagen one out after getting a couple of these.

http://www.mops.ca/cgi-bin/SoftCart....525+1133299142

It powers up when you have a power failure and its quieter than the Hagen one. Of course, if you tank temp drops to below 20C, the pump isn't going to help.

snaggle · #9 11-29-2005, 07:21 PM

If the power went out for 4 days last year I think a generator would be better then an UPS. you can use it with a ceramic heater to get some heat in your house too.

Brad

Scavenger · #10 11-29-2005, 07:47 PM

I made due during last years day long outage with a plastic ladel for current and a camp stove to heat water. Darn good thing I was home for the day anyway.