Need a UPS recommendation

LobsterOfJustice · 10/30/2013, 04:00 PM

Hey all,

I have never had a good power loss backup on my tank and it's time to change that. I am going to get a gas generator rated for a little over 3000w, but I would also like a UPS to pick up immediately and run vital equipment for an hour or two in case I am not home. I am looking for a recommendation of a unit that can handle about 600w for 1-2 hours - is that realistic?

My tank is controlled by an apex. In a power loss scenario, I would like to be able to run the apex, ~100w return pump, and 500w of heating or cooling. I can use the apex to run the heating or cooling intermittently, so it wouldn't be a constant load. I will also have a small UPS on my router. Apex will send me an email/text when power goes out, so I should only need the UPS to run this equipment until I can get home and get the generator set up. If those wattages are unrealistic, I guess my plan B would be to run the apex and the vortech for circulation, and ditch the heating and cooling until the generator gets set up.

LobsterOfJustice · 10/30/2013, 04:23 PM

Running the heating and cooling might be a bit much now that I am looking at it... so how about just running the vortech and the apex for a few hours?

mcgyvr · 10/30/2013, 04:32 PM

http://www.tripplite.com/en/lp/appli...ups-sizing.cfm

MisterP · 11/10/2013, 06:57 PM

I'm an elec engr and deal with UPS systems a lot at work. Personally for home use it's hard to beat an APC brand UPS. For about $700 you should be able to get a small unit. Tell me what your load is (Watts) and for how long you want to power that load and I'll tell you which I would pick.

LobsterOfJustice · 11/11/2013, 11:14 AM

Due to cost and planning on having a generator anyway, I've dropped the idea of powering major devices with the UPS. I need a small one to run just my modem and router for a few hours (not sure how many watts these are, but it cant be much? I would guess just a few watts), and another one to run the apex head unit, wireless adapter, and a vortech for a few hours (again, not sure how many watts - I would guess the apex uses about as much as a computer? The wireless adapter can't be more than a few watts. And the vortech is rated 9-28 watts, I can run it low as possible so I would guess on the lower end of that spectrum). I will do some research and post back exact wattages.

notclear · 11/11/2013, 08:56 PM

When you get the APC UPS, remember to get the Smart-UPS which has sine wave output and will work on all pumps/powerheads.

Allentown · 11/11/2013, 10:44 PM

I looked into this and found batteries to be almost useless. I went with a pair of automatic bubblers and an indoor safe lp adaptable heater for the fish room. Less than $130 total

LobsterOfJustice · 11/13/2013, 11:47 AM

BE350G for the router and modem, BE750G for the Apex CPU, vortech OSC on slow, and wireless adapter. Wanting them to run for 2-3 hours. Sound good? Does any of this equipment require true sine wave output?

http://www.amazon.com/APC-BE550G-Bac...ywords=APC+UPS

rrasco · 11/13/2013, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notclear

When you get the APC UPS, remember to get the Smart-UPS which has sine wave output and will work on all pumps/powerheads.

Glad to see this mentioned, as most people flat out don't consider the wave output. Anything else is hard on the motors.

Allentown · 11/13/2013, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LobsterOfJustice

BE350G for the router and modem, BE750G for the Apex CPU, vortech OSC on slow, and wireless adapter. Wanting them to run for 2-3 hours. Sound good? Does any of this equipment require true sine wave output?

http://www.amazon.com/APC-BE550G-Bac...ywords=APC+UPS

2 or 3 hours? No, I needed something that can go for days. Each of my $17.00 bubblers automatically go on when the power us cut and can run about 48 hours each on 2 D batteries each.

LobsterOfJustice · 11/14/2013, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allentown

2 or 3 hours? No, I needed something that can go for days. Each of my $17.00 bubblers automatically go on when the power us cut and can run about 48 hours each on 2 D batteries each.

I will be getting a generator to run things long term (the battery can't handle heating/cooling anyway, which would become a concern after a few hours). I have some of the automatic air bubblers but I don't like the look of airstones in the tank 24/7.

Stickboy97 · 11/14/2013, 10:47 AM

I've had APC & Tripplite, both are good. The batteries in the APC went out about every 1 1/2yr -2 yr; so I changed to Tripplite. I've had it a yr, so we'll see if the battery goes out any time soon.

Allentown · 11/14/2013, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LobsterOfJustice

I will be getting a generator to run things long term (the battery can't handle heating/cooling anyway, which would become a concern after a few hours). I have some of the automatic air bubblers but I don't like the look of airstones in the tank 24/7.

Portable lp tank and a ill buddy heater can keep a 400sq room at 74 degrees for about 30 hours per tank. Added benefit is I can sleep in there to. I'm screwed if it goes out in the summer though.

SeaIsle · 11/15/2013, 08:46 AM

I have two APC battery backups that I got from Amazon for about $100 each (model not available anymore) I have had them for 4 years and one is connected to by ranco and one vortech and the other just the vortech. Lost power in the dead of winter and based on the clocks and the time I got home it supported the heater for 2 to 2/1/2 hours and I lost power during sandy and it would run the vortech through the night until I woke up in the morning to restart my gas generator. Great for the times the power is out for a couple of hours during the day and you cant run the gas generator.

10/30/2013, 04:00 PM	#1
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	Need a UPS recommendation Hey all, I have never had a good power loss backup on my tank and it's time to change that. I am going to get a gas generator rated for a little over 3000w, but I would also like a UPS to pick up immediately and run vital equipment for an hour or two in case I am not home. I am looking for a recommendation of a unit that can handle about 600w for 1-2 hours - is that realistic? My tank is controlled by an apex. In a power loss scenario, I would like to be able to run the apex, ~100w return pump, and 500w of heating or cooling. I can use the apex to run the heating or cooling intermittently, so it wouldn't be a constant load. I will also have a small UPS on my router. Apex will send me an email/text when power goes out, so I should only need the UPS to run this equipment until I can get home and get the generator set up. If those wattages are unrealistic, I guess my plan B would be to run the apex and the vortech for circulation, and ditch the heating and cooling until the generator gets set up. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

10/30/2013, 04:23 PM	#2
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	Running the heating and cooling might be a bit much now that I am looking at it... so how about just running the vortech and the apex for a few hours? __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

10/30/2013, 04:32 PM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	http://www.tripplite.com/en/lp/appli...ups-sizing.cfm __________________ Who me?

11/11/2013, 11:14 AM	#5
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	Due to cost and planning on having a generator anyway, I've dropped the idea of powering major devices with the UPS. I need a small one to run just my modem and router for a few hours (not sure how many watts these are, but it cant be much? I would guess just a few watts), and another one to run the apex head unit, wireless adapter, and a vortech for a few hours (again, not sure how many watts - I would guess the apex uses about as much as a computer? The wireless adapter can't be more than a few watts. And the vortech is rated 9-28 watts, I can run it low as possible so I would guess on the lower end of that spectrum). I will do some research and post back exact wattages. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

11/11/2013, 08:56 PM	#6
notclear Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 519	When you get the APC UPS, remember to get the Smart-UPS which has sine wave output and will work on all pumps/powerheads. __________________ Red Sea Reefer XL525

11/10/2013, 06:57 PM	#4
MisterP Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: TN Posts: 401	I'm an elec engr and deal with UPS systems a lot at work. Personally for home use it's hard to beat an APC brand UPS. For about $700 you should be able to get a small unit. Tell me what your load is (Watts) and for how long you want to power that load and I'll tell you which I would pick.

11/11/2013, 10:44 PM	#7
Allentown Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Augusta, Ga Posts: 975	I looked into this and found batteries to be almost useless. I went with a pair of automatic bubblers and an indoor safe lp adaptable heater for the fish room. Less than $130 total __________________ NEW Build: 225g 72x27x27 Tigger Emerald 39 Sump, ConeS CO-3, 3xHydra 52, BRS 2 part dosers, Vortech MP-40 QD Gyre XF150, Neptune Wav x2, 2x Jaebo RW-4, SMR-1, MR-1

11/13/2013, 11:47 AM	#8
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	BE350G for the router and modem, BE750G for the Apex CPU, vortech OSC on slow, and wireless adapter. Wanting them to run for 2-3 hours. Sound good? Does any of this equipment require true sine wave output? http://www.amazon.com/APC-BE550G-Bac...ywords=APC+UPS __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

11/14/2013, 10:47 AM	#12
Stickboy97 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 647	I've had APC & Tripplite, both are good. The batteries in the APC went out about every 1 1/2yr -2 yr; so I changed to Tripplite. I've had it a yr, so we'll see if the battery goes out any time soon. __________________ DSA 105g Neo Pro

11/15/2013, 08:46 AM	#14
SeaIsle Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: LI NY Posts: 168	I have two APC battery backups that I got from Amazon for about $100 each (model not available anymore) I have had them for 4 years and one is connected to by ranco and one vortech and the other just the vortech. Lost power in the dead of winter and based on the clocks and the time I got home it supported the heater for 2 to 2/1/2 hours and I lost power during sandy and it would run the vortech through the night until I woke up in the morning to restart my gas generator. Great for the times the power is out for a couple of hours during the day and you cant run the gas generator.