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07/21/2006, 08:53 AM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 910
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power outage... leave on power head or skimmer...?
i haven't experienced a power outage in the 9 months i've had my tank... if i am gonna get a battery back up for my tank, what would you recommend i put on it... the skimmer pump or the power head... it is a 30 gallon cube with a hang on skimmer... both the skimmer pump and the power head are rated at 20 watts each... the skimmer pump is a 2000 Ocean Runner... the power head is a modified Maxi-Jet 1200... i don't know exatly how much it's putting out, but if i had to guess, i think it's putting out atleast 1300GPH...
i don't really want to power both of them incase of a power outage... i want one or the other to maximize the time the pump is on... i'm thinking with the skimmer, the bubbles will aerate the water better... but corals still need water movement to breathe thus, the power head... |
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07/21/2006, 09:11 AM
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#2 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 59
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I've heard of people just using an airstone and pump. Probably takes less power than the skimmer and maybe the powerhead so it will last longer in the case of a long outtage.
Chad |
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07/21/2006, 09:20 AM
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#3 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Lake Forrest CA
Posts: 1,732
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If the skimmer is in the tank I say run the skimmer, that way your filtering and keeping the water aerated
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07/21/2006, 09:32 AM
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#4 |
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Premium Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Green Bay, Wi.
Posts: 4,455
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I have read that many back-up power supplies can damage your pumps. A better back-up system would be a car battery with an AC inverter. It would last longer and may run more equipment. You can also run the inverter direcly off a car or recharge the battery with it.
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"Just a drop in the bucket" Last edited by Aquabucket; 07/21/2006 at 09:44 AM. |
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07/21/2006, 09:34 AM
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#5 |
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Master of my domain
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 3,466
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you dont need to skim. dont feed while power is out to reduce waste and run a heater and powerhead. battery operated air pumps would also help to airate the water.
ive also heard of people using a powerdrill with the stirring bit to help turn the water up and oygenate it. good luck-
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