Back up power?

[reefman1132]

Just a quick question. What happens when the power goes out on a reef aquarium? Would some sort of backup power be necessary?

[Tangster]

After several Hrs you have to get at least the water moving I have a 10 K power inverter on my truck that I can plug a few pumps and heaters into if need with a extension dropcord , up in Ct. Now In Va I installed a Nat gas generator for the entire house . Power there went out often then here up here they seldom get large storms like we in the south have .. I don't recall power ever going off here for more then hr or so . Nothing to worry about in that amount of time .

[missionsix66]

Typically when the power goes out the two main concerns would be gas exchange(oxygenation) and temperature. If you have a wet/dry type of filtration, flooding may be a concern if you aren't set-up correctly. I've dealt with outages before up to about 8 hours without doing anything. If you have a generator around the house, plug in the fridge a tank heater and powerhead (for surface agitation). It really depends on how long of a power outage(s) you get and how often.

[reefman1132]

thanks because some times the power goes out alot in the winter. i like the idea of the power inverter. i have one in my truck also.

[gazog]

Originally Posted by reefman1132

thanks because some times the power goes out alot in the winter. i like the idea of the power inverter. i have one in my truck also.

I have one and have used it before too, but the problem with that is it requires me to to be home which sometime isn't possible so I bought a large computer backup battery plugged a relay that closes when power goes out into it I then plugged in to the relay a large air pump with air stones and put them into the back of my tank. So when the power goes off the pump starts up and runs for many, many hours, it ran for about 7 hours a few weeks ago and battery showed barely used.

With this setup I don't have to worry if someone is home for quite a few hours.

[Tangster]

Originally Posted by gazog

I have one and have used it before too, but the problem with that is it requires me to to be home which sometime isn't possible so I bought a large computer backup battery plugged a relay that closes when power goes out into it I then plugged in to the relay a large air pump with air stones and put them into the back of my tank. So when the power goes off the pump starts up and runs for many, many hours, it ran for about 7 hours a few weeks ago and battery showed barely used.

With this setup I don't have to worry if someone is home for quite a few hours.

You may ant to look into the type unit I have if you have Nat ot LP gas ? mine was 2,400.00 or so in 2002 and it will roll over and comeone in less time then the lights could flicker runs the whole house and I was getting neighbor asking why do you have lights and we don't LOL I sold about 15 to my neighbors with installation and unit it was like 3,500.00 .. best money I ever spent we got slammed all the time by Ice. and or hurricanes and that one storm we where out for 3 days and my daughter was out of power for 4 weeks and even the phones where out for that long..

[Iraf]

I got a 5.5kw portable generator for 350 bucks at home depot so thats my insurance policy, last winter I was without power for 4 days and some of my friends 2+ weeks so was a great investment in my mind.