arrrg my town lost power and my fishtank too, learned a lesson!

[pitogo]

I think this should go in this forum but I do as an equipment question...

Well, our town lost power last night around 10pm and we finally got power restored around 4:30am. The tank was dead still, temp hovered in around 80.2 and I was worried about oxygen depletion. I should know better than that!! I've read about other folks' disasters. At the least I should make sure I have at least one PH plugged into a UPS. Well so last night, I ran 3 long extension cords to my computer's UPS. The UPS allowed me to run one of the Korlia 4 breaking the water surface for a few hours and keep things alive.

Question is UPS for 1 or 2 power heads or vortec with battery backup?

 

[RichT]

I use a vortec with a batter backup. I haven't had to rely on it for more then 1/2 hour but it worked flawlessly.

 

[reef93]

I got same lesson as you, I lost 12hrs of power last night. Luck that I have UPS hook up. I'm looking generator before winter because UPS will not able power up heater/pump for hours.

 

[pitogo]

Think I'll do UPS, more options.


Wow 12 hours!!! eeek.

I got same lesson as you, I lost 12hrs of power last night. Luck that I have UPS hook up. I'm looking generator before winter because UPS will not able power up heater/pump for hours.

 

[Lord Viper]

Guess I have to hook the generator up to the fish tank also. Instead of just the refrig,Freezer and the well pump.

 

[danthemanj]

I have a 2200 VA UPS running my main pump that pulls about 350 watts. The UPS lasts for about 1.5 hours with this load. I am currently working on a battery backup airpump solution with a relay that will come on in case of a power outage and run for upto 27 hours. In addition, I bought a 6500 watt generator a couple of years ago. The generator is still sitting in its box, brand new for that one time when the power goes out for an extended period of time. The peace of mind is worth the investment though.

 

[vangvace]

In addition, I bought a 6500 watt generator a couple of years ago. The generator is still sitting in its box, brand new for that one time when the power goes out for an extended period of time. The peace of mind is worth the investment though.

Dan, not trying to wreck your peace of mind but, a lesson learned from living in hurricane country and out west is to test/maintain your generator at least every 6 months to make sure it works. I had alot of friends who's generators wouldn't work even if they were new in box and just sitting there for a few months.

But on topic: I'm planning on putting an UPS for my HOB filter that I use for circulation.

 

[Rehype]

I got same lesson as you, I lost 12hrs of power last night. Luck that I have UPS hook up. I'm looking generator before winter because UPS will not able power up heater/pump for hours.

+1 I just learned my lesson this weekend i lost power for about 8 hours! Corals were fine but i lost 3 fish to oxygen depletion :'( :'( I wont let that happen again. Im ordering a battery backup for my vortech this weekend.

 

[steve68]

i fire up my generator every 4 months or less.
better safe then sorry.
i have a ups (dam i hate that word) to run air pump on main tank

 

[malulu]

i have this UPS 1500VA hooked up to:

- a very small air pump
- a powerhead
- 250W heater

the outlet of the airpump is tired to the powerhead to blow air out (the airpump would only be ON - when the power was out.)

my friend own an ISP company, and he recommended me to only use APC brand UPS, cause their services is the best, if the product was bad, APC will sent out a replace right away (no need to wait for the bad one to sent back to them). and they did - for the last time i have trouble with the unit.

 

[Rbu1]

Just make sure whatever you use comes on automatically. Nothing like loosing power while you are away from home....You will never know it.

Dan,
Don't worry about loosing power you are in PSE&G territory.,,,, ;D

 

[Jcurry@wesketch]

I have a battery powered air pump. It works great and lasts several hours on 2 D batteries.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumPage~PageAlias~air_pumps_hagen_battery_operated.html