What are you doing to protect against power outages?

Northside Reef · 08/29/2012, 08:51 AM

How are you guys protecting against power outages? Will a standard UPS work on a return pump? I was thinking maybe a decent hour plus UPS that could drive my hammerhead for the occasional blips to power would work but would really like some feedback and what the standard practice is.

Thanks

jeff@zina.com · 08/29/2012, 09:58 AM

Battery air pumps and a generator. Blips aren't. An issue.

Jeff

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

aandfsoccr04 · 08/29/2012, 10:16 AM

I have a generator to run the tanks and tv and what not and also battery operated air pumps just in case.

Northside Reef · 08/29/2012, 12:02 PM

I am more concerned about what happens if power goes out and I am not home with flow back from my main pump. I have about a 20' rise. The sump should handle it, but I don't have the entire system in place yet to test it.

alton · 08/29/2012, 03:32 PM

As a rule UPS and motors do not mix very well. If you keep the motor small enough you should be okay, but a hammerhead sounds fairly large?

Spirofucci · 08/29/2012, 03:45 PM

Vortech with the battery backup for shortages when you are not home and short term outages.

Generator for long term outages.

IMO, UPS and battery powered air pumps are not really a good option.

I just have a nano and have a ton of $$$ invested, so I don't know why some one with a big tank wouldn't invest in a generator unless they lived in a high rise condo.

If you live in hurricane land and loose power for a few days or weeks, a generator is a must, it will save your tank and keep your beer cold!

l8_apex_it · 08/29/2012, 06:41 PM

I have a APC SMART-UPS 700xl that I bought years ago. It outputs a true sine-wave, not square. So it operates my pumps perfectly! On a 30 gallon tank powering my Rio 2100 return pump and an Oceanrunner 2500 pump, and a small maxi jet feed pump for the skimmer, it will keep the tank going for 6-8 hours. My power has been bad over the years and have run it until it quits on more than a few occasions.

Pay good money for a good sine-wave UPS if you get a UPS. I bought two off of craigslist.

l8_apex_it · 08/29/2012, 06:44 PM

Blips were an issue for me. My power would go off for 2-3 seconds which was enough for my pumps to seize. I mainly purchased it because I was tired of rebuilding pumps at 2:00 in the morning. That happened quite regularly and that alone was worth spending the money on the UPS. After the UPS I clean the pumps when I want to, not when PG&E dictates haha.

spoonman1979 · 08/30/2012, 08:08 AM

I have a large UPS that will run MP40s, return pumps for two hours and generator for longer outages...

cbonito · 08/30/2012, 08:44 AM

I dont screw around.

calbert0 · 08/30/2012, 01:54 PM

^^^^ Is that a generator with a TURBO on it???

rgfast · 08/30/2012, 03:41 PM

20 Kw hole house gen with auto tranfer switch, never worry about it anymore

Spirofucci · 08/30/2012, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbonito

I dont screw around.

So I guess you can power the whole neighborhood with that? LOL

Lostinthedark · 08/30/2012, 04:25 PM

I bought a generator after the second 12 hour power outage in 2 weeks. I used to use a power inverter hooked up to the tractor battery but a generator gives much better piece of mind. I don't start it up unless the power has been off for an hour or more.

serion · 08/30/2012, 04:28 PM

I have some battery operated air pumps that I can use in a pinch. Extended power outages typically aren't an issue. Eventually I'll get a generator.

atreis · 08/30/2012, 04:40 PM

Good quality true sine-wave UPS (keeps the main pump and water movement pumps in the tank going for about 2 hours), VorTech backup battery (lasts about 24 hours, after the UPS dies), and a generator for the really long outages.

tkeracer619 · 08/30/2012, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calbert0

^^^^ Is that a generator with a TURBO on it???

I have a v12 with two. 750hp 24/7... at work though. Would be a bit irresponsible to consume 100gph of diesel for my fish tank

UPS are not for low watt long term use. They are designed to run the equipment for a short amount of time with a lot of amp output. Would I have one on a hammerhead with 20' of head. Nope. Too much power draw.

You need a check valve on your plumbing, preferably inside the sump in case it shatters from closing so hard... What happens in a power flicker is the pump immediately starts spinning backwards then power is restored and the pump overheats its windings trying to go the other way. It will wear your hammerhead out in no time. Its no big deal if it siphons back, its only a big deal when the motor kicks back on while its spinning backwards.

You would probably need to spend over 1000 on a UPS for a couple minutes of up time with a hammerhead.

For tank backup go with vortechs and a battery backup or two. They can be linked together to get you days of backup time.

spsfreak1977 · 08/30/2012, 05:35 PM

generator

mchud · 08/30/2012, 06:29 PM

Big generator, tied into house to power the important things, reef tanks, koi pond, tv, fridge and internet. And i also have some battery back up pumps just to make sure.

jkhuskies99 · 08/30/2012, 08:58 PM

I have the vortech battery backup. Also have a big generator, bought one after a hurricane hit the DC area years ago and was without power for days.

Pool_shark · 08/30/2012, 09:13 PM

In the event of a power outage where you have limited battery power available, you would be better off using that power running a powerhead to oxygenate the water rather than a sump return pump.

dan-in-gr · 08/30/2012, 09:27 PM

My experience in Grand Rapids is that certain parts of west mi are prone to power outages, while others areas have about zero problems, I have been fortunate in living in the areas where in the last 15 years the longest outage for me was 6 hours. You can always move - just kidding. My backup is my son has a generator.

bugs713 · 08/30/2012, 09:55 PM

We lost power a few years ago in Mesa, AZ in July for 11 hours, I had only FW fish then and still lost most of them due to the heat being about 100 degrees in the house, 112 outside.

For my SW tanks now, I have several battery air pumps and just added a DIY battery power backup for all MP40's and MP10's, also have a power inverter to run a portable AC unit which will cool the fish room enough to keep all alive.
A gas generator is on my needs list for the near future.

The power grid in the country is extremely outdated!! Regardless of where you are in this country, we should all have emergency backups and plans for prolonged outages to keep our creatures alive and us for that matter; its only going to get worse before it gets better!

diverdan814 · 08/31/2012, 06:21 AM

When I had many tanks, I got a whole home generator, powered by natural gas. It costs about $6000 as I recall. Now that I have a modest 120 reef tank, it still gives me peace of mind.
I change the oil once a year and it runs a ten minute self test every week.
One of the best things I have ever done.

aquamanpc24 · 08/31/2012, 06:30 AM

I am currently running a reef angel controller on a ups as well as my router so I will be notified of a power outage via email. I also have 2 vortechs in each tank. my 210 fowlr and 135 reef, the 2 battery backups power one from fowlr and reef so if a battery failed there would be flow in both aquaria. I also have 2 4000watt generators. 1 would be enough but after last years hurricane flop season I found another new unused cheap!
once we get a house I will wire a panel so the generator just goes to box and that takes cares of reef and fridge, till then I have over 400 feet of mobster extension cables. my apartment has had frequent unwarranted power outages can u tell?

08/29/2012, 08:51 AM	#1
Northside Reef Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chanhassen, MN Posts: 1,294	What are you doing to protect against power outages? How are you guys protecting against power outages? Will a standard UPS work on a return pump? I was thinking maybe a decent hour plus UPS that could drive my hammerhead for the occasional blips to power would work but would really like some feedback and what the standard practice is. Thanks __________________ Back again for more fun! See how much fun by checking out my home page. Current Tank Info: 280 Gallon Display, 92 gallon Cube Clown and anemone tank. 700 gallon filter shed that ties it all together.

08/29/2012, 10:16 AM	#3
aandfsoccr04 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 3,561	I have a generator to run the tanks and tv and what not and also battery operated air pumps just in case. __________________ 120 gallon mixed reef

08/29/2012, 12:02 PM	#4
Northside Reef Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chanhassen, MN Posts: 1,294	I am more concerned about what happens if power goes out and I am not home with flow back from my main pump. I have about a 20' rise. The sump should handle it, but I don't have the entire system in place yet to test it. __________________ Back again for more fun! See how much fun by checking out my home page. Current Tank Info: 280 Gallon Display, 92 gallon Cube Clown and anemone tank. 700 gallon filter shed that ties it all together.

08/30/2012, 08:44 AM	#10
cbonito Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: michigan Posts: 398	I dont screw around. __________________ Cbonito Current Tank Info: 60ish gallon (48x24x12h) reef

08/30/2012, 04:28 PM	#15
serion Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 45	I have some battery operated air pumps that I can use in a pinch. Extended power outages typically aren't an issue. Eventually I'll get a generator. __________________ 55g FOWLR w/ 20L sump

08/29/2012, 09:58 AM	#2
jeff@zina.com Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 3,345	Battery air pumps and a generator. Blips aren't. An issue. Jeff Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

08/29/2012, 03:32 PM	#5
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	As a rule UPS and motors do not mix very well. If you keep the motor small enough you should be okay, but a hammerhead sounds fairly large?

08/29/2012, 03:45 PM	#6
Spirofucci Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Harlingen, Texas Posts: 389	Vortech with the battery backup for shortages when you are not home and short term outages. Generator for long term outages. IMO, UPS and battery powered air pumps are not really a good option. I just have a nano and have a ton of $$$ invested, so I don't know why some one with a big tank wouldn't invest in a generator unless they lived in a high rise condo. If you live in hurricane land and loose power for a few days or weeks, a generator is a must, it will save your tank and keep your beer cold!

08/29/2012, 06:41 PM	#7
l8_apex_it Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Sunnyvale, CA Posts: 247	I have a APC SMART-UPS 700xl that I bought years ago. It outputs a true sine-wave, not square. So it operates my pumps perfectly! On a 30 gallon tank powering my Rio 2100 return pump and an Oceanrunner 2500 pump, and a small maxi jet feed pump for the skimmer, it will keep the tank going for 6-8 hours. My power has been bad over the years and have run it until it quits on more than a few occasions. Pay good money for a good sine-wave UPS if you get a UPS. I bought two off of craigslist.

08/29/2012, 06:44 PM	#8
l8_apex_it Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Sunnyvale, CA Posts: 247	Blips were an issue for me. My power would go off for 2-3 seconds which was enough for my pumps to seize. I mainly purchased it because I was tired of rebuilding pumps at 2:00 in the morning. That happened quite regularly and that alone was worth spending the money on the UPS. After the UPS I clean the pumps when I want to, not when PG&E dictates haha.

08/30/2012, 08:08 AM	#9
spoonman1979 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 193	I have a large UPS that will run MP40s, return pumps for two hours and generator for longer outages...

08/30/2012, 01:54 PM	#11
calbert0 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: City of Chicago Posts: 198	^^^^ Is that a generator with a TURBO on it???

08/30/2012, 03:41 PM	#12
rgfast Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Fleming G.A. Posts: 144	20 Kw hole house gen with auto tranfer switch, never worry about it anymore

08/30/2012, 04:25 PM	#14
Lostinthedark Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Freehold, NJ Posts: 342	I bought a generator after the second 12 hour power outage in 2 weeks. I used to use a power inverter hooked up to the tractor battery but a generator gives much better piece of mind. I don't start it up unless the power has been off for an hour or more.

08/30/2012, 04:40 PM	#16
atreis Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Yellow Springs, OH Posts: 942	Good quality true sine-wave UPS (keeps the main pump and water movement pumps in the tank going for about 2 hours), VorTech backup battery (lasts about 24 hours, after the UPS dies), and a generator for the really long outages. __________________ reef tank up since 8/2009. Previous tank up since 4/2004, taken down in 2007. Current Tank Info: custom 100g reef, custom sump

08/30/2012, 05:35 PM	#18
spsfreak1977 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 345	generator

08/30/2012, 06:29 PM	#19
mchud Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Gill Mass Posts: 371	Big generator, tied into house to power the important things, reef tanks, koi pond, tv, fridge and internet. And i also have some battery back up pumps just to make sure. __________________ Will miss you Wild Bill RIP Tessa Best friend of 14 years Bob Dog my buddy of 12.5 years Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon Dt, 150 gal sump, 100 gal frag tank and 12000 gal koi pond and 1200 goldfish pond.

08/30/2012, 08:58 PM	#20
jkhuskies99 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 65	I have the vortech battery backup. Also have a big generator, bought one after a hurricane hit the DC area years ago and was without power for days.

08/30/2012, 09:13 PM	#21
Pool_shark Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NW Chicago Posts: 147	In the event of a power outage where you have limited battery power available, you would be better off using that power running a powerhead to oxygenate the water rather than a sump return pump. __________________ 90 gal LR reef w fish, LPS, Zoas, MH & T5 lighting and 30 gal fuge w macro and pods controlled by Apex.

08/30/2012, 09:27 PM	#22
dan-in-gr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 385	My experience in Grand Rapids is that certain parts of west mi are prone to power outages, while others areas have about zero problems, I have been fortunate in living in the areas where in the last 15 years the longest outage for me was 6 hours. You can always move - just kidding. My backup is my son has a generator.

08/30/2012, 09:55 PM	#23
bugs713 In-A-Gadda-Divita! Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Apache Junction, AZ - USA Posts: 2,345	We lost power a few years ago in Mesa, AZ in July for 11 hours, I had only FW fish then and still lost most of them due to the heat being about 100 degrees in the house, 112 outside. For my SW tanks now, I have several battery air pumps and just added a DIY battery power backup for all MP40's and MP10's, also have a power inverter to run a portable AC unit which will cool the fish room enough to keep all alive. A gas generator is on my needs list for the near future. The power grid in the country is extremely outdated!! Regardless of where you are in this country, we should all have emergency backups and plans for prolonged outages to keep our creatures alive and us for that matter; its only going to get worse before it gets better! __________________ O\|\|\|\|\|\|\|O

08/31/2012, 06:21 AM	#24
diverdan814 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Bergen County NJ Posts: 394	When I had many tanks, I got a whole home generator, powered by natural gas. It costs about $6000 as I recall. Now that I have a modest 120 reef tank, it still gives me peace of mind. I change the oil once a year and it runs a ten minute self test every week. One of the best things I have ever done.

08/31/2012, 06:30 AM	#25
aquamanpc24 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 340	I am currently running a reef angel controller on a ups as well as my router so I will be notified of a power outage via email. I also have 2 vortechs in each tank. my 210 fowlr and 135 reef, the 2 battery backups power one from fowlr and reef so if a battery failed there would be flow in both aquaria. I also have 2 4000watt generators. 1 would be enough but after last years hurricane flop season I found another new unused cheap! once we get a house I will wire a panel so the generator just goes to box and that takes cares of reef and fridge, till then I have over 400 feet of mobster extension cables. my apartment has had frequent unwarranted power outages can u tell?