First Power Outage Experience

reefnewbie83177 · 04/28/2012, 08:08 AM

OK, so it was such big deal, but we lost power to the house for about 2 hours, but the wife had to kick my out of the house b/c I was stressing her out. Temp only dropped 1 degree (I stoked a fire in the house as we are having snow here). Today, everything is just fine. I think I was more stressed out about how long it was going to last. Anyway, thought I would share. Now it is time to get a generator

On a much sadder note, we lost our mandarine (Psych) yesterday. He took a leap out of the tank. Looks like I need to but some screen to keep the jumpers at bay.

bnumair · 04/28/2012, 11:00 AM

2007 in oklahoma we hd a ice storm, electric was out from 3days to 3 weeks in some areas.
i was down by 3 1/2 days and i lost almost $7000-8000 worth livestock and corals.
after that experience did some changes.
i got 2 UPS that runs 4 power heads and a 300w heater for a short term electric outage.
for much bigger shortage i picked up a 6000w natural gas generator hard plumbed and hard wired to my tank.
so if outage is for longer period i can fire up the generator and run the whole tank (3600w) plus some more things inside the house if needed.

aleonn · 04/28/2012, 11:13 AM

How big is your tank? For shorter power outs, I have a battery-operated air pump that turns on automatically when electrical power is cut (made by Penn-Plax I think). I also bought rechargeable heat pads from Amazon (they are recharged by placing them in boiling water).

Also, if you have a Vortech pump, I'd get a battery back-up unit, which lasts 24-48 hrs.

Of course, nothing beats a generator--I need to get on top of that but haven't found any good deals yet.

Breadman03 · 04/28/2012, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aleonn

I also bought rechargeable heat pads from Amazon (they are recharged by placing them in boiling water).

I had my first outage last night as well. I was heating water over a kerosene heater to put in Ziplock baggies. The lights came back after about 4 hours, as I was about to fill the bags.

snorvich · 04/28/2012, 12:47 PM

We have them frequently including last night. For me a generator is a must and kicked on in less than 5 seconds, but battery powered air pumps are a cheap insurance.

Buzz1329 · 04/28/2012, 07:01 PM

Aleonn,

How do you use the rechargeable heat pads? for example, do you put them on top of the tank, attach them to the glass?

Thanks,

aleonn · 04/29/2012, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzz1329

Aleonn,

How do you use the rechargeable heat pads? for example, do you put them on top of the tank, attach them to the glass?

Thanks,

Luckily I haven't had to use them, but keep them on hand just in case. My plan would be to place them in a ziplock container, put the wetside of my Mag Cleaner inside, and place it against the glass in the middle of the tank.

Here's the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A3T1NPVOR4XUOR

Buzz1329 · 04/29/2012, 05:48 PM

Thanks!

04/28/2012, 08:08 AM	#1
reefnewbie83177 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 200	First Power Outage Experience OK, so it was such big deal, but we lost power to the house for about 2 hours, but the wife had to kick my out of the house b/c I was stressing her out. Temp only dropped 1 degree (I stoked a fire in the house as we are having snow here). Today, everything is just fine. I think I was more stressed out about how long it was going to last. Anyway, thought I would share. Now it is time to get a generator On a much sadder note, we lost our mandarine (Psych) yesterday. He took a leap out of the tank. Looks like I need to but some screen to keep the jumpers at bay.

04/28/2012, 11:00 AM	#2
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	2007 in oklahoma we hd a ice storm, electric was out from 3days to 3 weeks in some areas. i was down by 3 1/2 days and i lost almost $7000-8000 worth livestock and corals. after that experience did some changes. i got 2 UPS that runs 4 power heads and a 300w heater for a short term electric outage. for much bigger shortage i picked up a 6000w natural gas generator hard plumbed and hard wired to my tank. so if outage is for longer period i can fire up the generator and run the whole tank (3600w) plus some more things inside the house if needed. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

04/28/2012, 12:47 PM	#5
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	We have them frequently including last night. For me a generator is a must and kicked on in less than 5 seconds, but battery powered air pumps are a cheap insurance. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

04/28/2012, 07:01 PM	#6
Buzz1329 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Staten Island Posts: 2,414	Aleonn, How do you use the rechargeable heat pads? for example, do you put them on top of the tank, attach them to the glass? Thanks, __________________ Current tank info: 180 mixed reef

04/29/2012, 05:48 PM	#8
Buzz1329 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Staten Island Posts: 2,414	Thanks! __________________ Current tank info: 180 mixed reef

04/28/2012, 11:13 AM	#3
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	How big is your tank? For shorter power outs, I have a battery-operated air pump that turns on automatically when electrical power is cut (made by Penn-Plax I think). I also bought rechargeable heat pads from Amazon (they are recharged by placing them in boiling water). Also, if you have a Vortech pump, I'd get a battery back-up unit, which lasts 24-48 hrs. Of course, nothing beats a generator--I need to get on top of that but haven't found any good deals yet.