Battery Backup for Apex System

jerryla · 03/27/2016, 12:25 PM

Do any of you use a battery back up device in case of power failures? I live in an area with frequent storms and occasional power outages. I'm planning on putting an Apex controller in my system. Any thoughts on if you use one and what have you found to be the best?
Thanks

hkgar · 03/27/2016, 02:02 PM

I do not have a battery back up for my Apex, but I do have a generator in garage ready to go when i need it. Battery back ups are only good for a short period of time, generally the time needed to get another power source. I first time I lost power fo a prolong period, every thing in the tank was gone in 24 hours. With no circulation it doesn't take long.

SouthFla · 03/28/2016, 10:32 AM

Yep, I use one of THESE, which will keep the water circulating by powering my return pump and in-tank wavemakers for about 1hour, *hopefully* giving me enough time to get the genset started to power the whole tank. The Apex brain and wifi adapter is plugged into the UPS too so I'll get an immediate email notifying me of the outage

jerryla · 03/28/2016, 01:41 PM

Thanks for the info guys!

karimwassef · 03/28/2016, 01:47 PM

I use the same UPS. I am transitioning to a 12V battery only since it's inefficient to go AC-12VDC battery inside-AC (that's the UPS) and then follow it with AC-12VDC-Apex (that's the Apex converter power supply).

I'm going AC-12VDC battery-Apex ... less loss.

karimwassef · 03/28/2016, 01:50 PM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...1#post24431021

try that thread. Easy way to get there.

03/27/2016, 12:25 PM	#1
jerryla Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Alexander, Arkansas Posts: 17	Battery Backup for Apex System Do any of you use a battery back up device in case of power failures? I live in an area with frequent storms and occasional power outages. I'm planning on putting an Apex controller in my system. Any thoughts on if you use one and what have you found to be the best? Thanks

03/27/2016, 02:02 PM	#2
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	I do not have a battery back up for my Apex, but I do have a generator in garage ready to go when i need it. Battery back ups are only good for a short period of time, generally the time needed to get another power source. I first time I lost power fo a prolong period, every thing in the tank was gone in 24 hours. With no circulation it doesn't take long. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

03/28/2016, 10:32 AM	#3
SouthFla Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Miami, Florida USA Posts: 256	Yep, I use one of THESE, which will keep the water circulating by powering my return pump and in-tank wavemakers for about 1hour, hopefully giving me enough time to get the genset started to power the whole tank. The Apex brain and wifi adapter is plugged into the UPS too so I'll get an immediate email notifying me of the outage __________________ 125g mixed reef, Apex controlled, 30g sump, RO 150sss skimmer, Eheim 1262 return, NextReef MR1 reactor w/Rox C, (2) EcoDrift 8.0 1K-2K GPH, (2) Jebao PP8 1K-2K GPH, (5) 80W ATI T5s Current Tank Info: 125G reef, Alk ~8.1, Ca 410, Mg 1350, 1.025SG

03/28/2016, 01:47 PM	#5
karimwassef Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 11,033	I use the same UPS. I am transitioning to a 12V battery only since it's inefficient to go AC-12VDC battery inside-AC (that's the UPS) and then follow it with AC-12VDC-Apex (that's the Apex converter power supply). I'm going AC-12VDC battery-Apex ... less loss. __________________ Failure isn't an option It's a requirement. 660g 380inwall+280smp/surge S/L/Soft/Maxima/RBTA/Clown/Chromis/Anthias/Tang/Mandarin/Jawfish/Goby/Wrasse/D'back. DIY 12' Skimmer ActuatedSurge ConcreteScape

03/28/2016, 01:50 PM	#6
karimwassef Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 11,033	http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...1#post24431021 try that thread. Easy way to get there. __________________ Failure isn't an option It's a requirement. 660g 380inwall+280smp/surge S/L/Soft/Maxima/RBTA/Clown/Chromis/Anthias/Tang/Mandarin/Jawfish/Goby/Wrasse/D'back. DIY 12' Skimmer ActuatedSurge ConcreteScape

03/28/2016, 01:41 PM	#4
jerryla Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Alexander, Arkansas Posts: 17	Thanks for the info guys!