Dealing with power outages

[BoisBlancBoy]

How do you go about dealing with your tanks when the electricity fails? I would assume a couple hours wouldn't be a big deal but day or longer could start to cause problems.

[staindsoul]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2227902

Read through this.

[BoisBlancBoy]

Good link, thanks. But I'm looking more i guess how long you can go without running the pumps? I don't have to worry abou heat as I have a wood stove in the same room the tank is in.

[staindsoul]

I believe it will depend on your bioload, that would be depleting your tanks oxygen level.

[BoisBlancBoy]

I have always had a generator. Actually right now because of our last winter storm I have been without power for 4 days. It would be nice though to be able to shut the generator down at least overnight and not have anything to worry about, if its possible.

[Holsteiner]

Our power was actually out today for 2 hours, pain in the butt! After the hurricane we invested in a vortech battery back up for our larger tank, a marine battery to run a powerhead on our frag tank for a few days and a small generator to recharge everything if need be. LOVE the battery back ups...they switched on right away today when the power went out, lifesaver if you can't be there when the power goes out ;-)

[trinidiver]

I have a battery back-up for my 2 MP40's and when power goes its really a life saver. If i'm not mistaken, it can go 30hrs on one pump and 15hrs on 2. Additionally i have 2 battery back-up air pumps that switch on as power goes also. So in my tanks, i have air and also MP power

[maroun.c]

we have daily power outages, mostly I rely on backup generator that kicks in 30 sec after an outage. if that fails a UPS (Still have to hook it up!!!) will maintain crucial equipment (one return pump, skimmer, one heater, a flow pump) for a couple of days. I also have a DIY batery pack that works for Vortech or Tunze that kicks in automatically, the good thing about it is that in case of a total balckout I can always hook it up to the car battery and run the car for 10-15 min to recharge it every day or so. Never had to use any of those luckily and my tanks haven't suffered any losses related to power over the last 15 years with me being a frequent traveler!!!Of course had some crazy phone calls from the wife when power went off at midnight and backup generator didn't kick in and had to have service come at 1AM in the morning a few times but its all part of the challenge of the hobby.

[mfinn]

I deal with power outages at least once every winter. I do have a 6500watt generator that I run from 6am to around 11:30 to 12am.
It is off for about 6 hours.
If it is really cold at the time of the outage I toss a few blankets over the top of the tank to help hold heat in, but for the most part the tanks are fine with out power for 6 hours.

[bluewater921]

generator is the best way .. never go with out power even tho most tanks can make it 12 hours with out light and power

[krzyphsygy]

I have 2 Vortec battery backups for 1 MP40 that will power the pump for around 2 1/2 days. $330 for Back ups $465.00 for pump.

I also have a marine deep cycle battery hooked up to a power inverter that will run a small Tunze pump for 2 days. $160

My Toyota 2013 truck comes with a power outet installed in the bed of the truck for running power or charging. So worst comes to worst, I can run an extension cord to the back of my truck and run indefinetly as long as I have gas, other wise till I drain the battery.
My power goes out atleast once every two months just because......Pain in the butt.

[csauer52]

I have a 6500 Watt generator I use when the power is out for extended periods of time. It really came in handy this time around with Sandy. Given how much time/$ we all have invested in our tanks, a generator is a pittance when it comes to peace of mind.

[BoisBlancBoy]

Who feels confident a 6-8 hr stretch without power to the tank would be acceptable?

[geaux xman]

Depends on the bioload and some fish will fare better than others. Corals, I dont know as much about.

I have a couple of battery operated(2 D batteries) air pumps that will run for about 3 days on 2 batteries. It'll come on when it detects an electricity outage. All for 15 bucks. Thats mostly for my secondary tanks.

For my 180g, I use a vortech battery backup. I can also crank up a 4500w generator if needed as well.

Pending you dont have temp issues, battery air pumps is the cheapest route.

[BoisBlancBoy]

What are signs besides fish gasping for air that you can watch/test for?

[sirreal63]

A generator is by far the best insurance for you and your tank. Battery backups work ok but are a pain for extended outages. I feel sorry for those of you with normal power outages, I know it is a challenge. I am fortunate to live directly between two hydroelectric dams, 2.5 miles from either one, and if we have a power outage it lasts only a few minutes, I think the longest has been about 30 minutes.

[krzyphsygy]

Originally Posted by BoisBlancBoy

Who feels confident a 6-8 hr stretch without power to the tank would be acceptable?

Me personally, I would not want my tank animals to go through an 6-8 hr stretch. Even if some say its fine. Its not fine with me. 30 minutes is too much IMO. I think about the 70x turnover I have in the tank and then for it to go to nothing is really a scary thought for my scaley friends. The time and money I spend on this tank for the high flow rates with clean water chemistry, adding calc and alk, water changes, I can go on and on.
I need to have a back up plan that works permanetly in case of problems with outages.

Run one back up and charge the other and so on.