UPS question

spw4949 · 12/16/2008, 10:18 AM

So by UPS I mean an Uninterruptable Power Source. I'm not sure how these things work, if the power fails will they continue to run? I have an opportunity to obtain one for my aquarium in case of a power outage & am wondering if it would be worth it? Anyone out there have/using one? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Red Firefish · 12/16/2008, 10:21 AM

I use a battery air pump, but know many hobbyists that use UPS for power outages. They're meant for computers I believe, and yes they keep an electrical device running during a power loss. They won't run your entire aquarium for long, but you could get 8-12 hours (I think) of power to run one pump, such as a powerhead. That would keep oxygen in your tank and prevent a system crash from suffocation.

jasonrp104 · 12/16/2008, 10:32 AM

I'll have to look for 1 of these. The Ice storm reduced me to a 45 gallon snail tank. I lost everything except for my coral beauty

spw4949 · 12/16/2008, 10:41 AM

I'm not sure that they will keep everything running though, that's what I'm trying to find out.....

sdc19982002 · 12/16/2008, 10:43 AM

You'll be hard pressed to find something that will run a heater for more than a couple hours. I would seriously look into a generator. my ups will run my main pump (80 watts) and my skimmer pump (12 watts) for about 12 hours or so. But I also have a generator for longer periods.

spw4949 · 12/16/2008, 10:48 AM

What size UPS do you have?

sdc19982002 · 12/16/2008, 10:53 AM

I'd have to look when I get home. I do know it was one of the biggest available a few years ago. I also keep 2 spare batteries on hand that can be changed out easily. I'll post the size tommorow am.

spw4949 · 12/16/2008, 10:55 AM

Thanks, the 1 I'm thinking of getting is a 1500 BUT I could get a 3000. I'm just trying to gauge the reward of getting one....

sdc19982002 · 12/16/2008, 11:22 AM

Are you looking to run a heater or just pumps for circulation?

spw4949 · 12/16/2008, 11:26 AM

Whatever I can....I can get a 3000 for next to nothing & it's practically brand new. I may just get it & see what it will run & for how long....

12/16/2008, 10:18 AM	#1
spw4949 Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Albany, N.Y. Posts: 1,594	UPS question So by UPS I mean an Uninterruptable Power Source. I'm not sure how these things work, if the power fails will they continue to run? I have an opportunity to obtain one for my aquarium in case of a power outage & am wondering if it would be worth it? Anyone out there have/using one? Any feedback would be appreciated. __________________ Steve Current Tank Info: 46 gal bowfront, mixed reef, 2x250W current outer orbit w/4x39W T5 ,10 gal fuge....38 gallon aggressive FOWLR, 10 gallon sump.

12/16/2008, 10:41 AM	#4
spw4949 Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Albany, N.Y. Posts: 1,594	I'm not sure that they will keep everything running though, that's what I'm trying to find out..... __________________ Steve Current Tank Info: 46 gal bowfront, mixed reef, 2x250W current outer orbit w/4x39W T5 ,10 gal fuge....38 gallon aggressive FOWLR, 10 gallon sump.

12/16/2008, 10:48 AM	#6
spw4949 Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Albany, N.Y. Posts: 1,594	What size UPS do you have? __________________ Steve Current Tank Info: 46 gal bowfront, mixed reef, 2x250W current outer orbit w/4x39W T5 ,10 gal fuge....38 gallon aggressive FOWLR, 10 gallon sump.

12/16/2008, 10:55 AM	#8
spw4949 Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Albany, N.Y. Posts: 1,594	Thanks, the 1 I'm thinking of getting is a 1500 BUT I could get a 3000. I'm just trying to gauge the reward of getting one.... __________________ Steve Current Tank Info: 46 gal bowfront, mixed reef, 2x250W current outer orbit w/4x39W T5 ,10 gal fuge....38 gallon aggressive FOWLR, 10 gallon sump.

12/16/2008, 11:26 AM	#10
spw4949 Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Albany, N.Y. Posts: 1,594	Whatever I can....I can get a 3000 for next to nothing & it's practically brand new. I may just get it & see what it will run & for how long.... __________________ Steve Current Tank Info: 46 gal bowfront, mixed reef, 2x250W current outer orbit w/4x39W T5 ,10 gal fuge....38 gallon aggressive FOWLR, 10 gallon sump.

12/16/2008, 10:21 AM	#2
Red Firefish Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: AZ Posts: 64	I use a battery air pump, but know many hobbyists that use UPS for power outages. They're meant for computers I believe, and yes they keep an electrical device running during a power loss. They won't run your entire aquarium for long, but you could get 8-12 hours (I think) of power to run one pump, such as a powerhead. That would keep oxygen in your tank and prevent a system crash from suffocation.

12/16/2008, 10:32 AM	#3
jasonrp104 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: vt Posts: 1,113	I'll have to look for 1 of these. The Ice storm reduced me to a 45 gallon snail tank. I lost everything except for my coral beauty

12/16/2008, 10:43 AM	#5
sdc19982002 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wills Point,Texas Posts: 925	You'll be hard pressed to find something that will run a heater for more than a couple hours. I would seriously look into a generator. my ups will run my main pump (80 watts) and my skimmer pump (12 watts) for about 12 hours or so. But I also have a generator for longer periods.

12/16/2008, 10:53 AM	#7
sdc19982002 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wills Point,Texas Posts: 925	I'd have to look when I get home. I do know it was one of the biggest available a few years ago. I also keep 2 spare batteries on hand that can be changed out easily. I'll post the size tommorow am.

12/16/2008, 11:22 AM	#9
sdc19982002 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wills Point,Texas Posts: 925	Are you looking to run a heater or just pumps for circulation?