Battery backup recommendations

[mpw213]

Hey everyone! Was hoping to get recommendations on a cheap battery backup for my 2.5 gallon pico tank setup. I just want something that has pass through and can switch on automatically and keep my tank going if there happens to be a power outage (which is rare where I’m at).

Right now I have just one outlet with an ai prime light, 2 small heaters, an ATO, small filter pump, power head, and 6 versa pumps. I’d think the light takes the most electricity.

Thanks!

 

[mescobar]

Battery for the whole system might be an overkill for your small tank, you only need to keep the water aerated during a power outage.

I'd recommend something like a Bubble Box, it connects to an outlet and when it detects no power, it switches over to a bubbler connected to a D-battery.

 

[IceNein]

Battery for the whole system might be an overkill for your small tank, you only need to keep the water aerated during a power outage.

I'd recommend something like a Bubble Box, it connects to an outlet and when it detects no power, it switches over to a bubbler connected to a D-battery.

On the other hand, with such a small system he could get something like a Jackery 300 or equivalent that's roughly 300 WH, and if he just runs a 25W heater and a return pump, that could last all of 12 hours, depending on how often the heater needed to cycle on.

With such a small system, I think I would want a heater backup just because a tank that size doesn't have a lot of thermal inertia. So if the house gets cold, it could get cold quick.

Really user preference I guess.

 

[commod0re]

Anker Solix C300 or 535 would probably work well

 

[Luisn17]

You could skip lighting the tank for 3 days without a problem to extend the battery life. Sorry to ask and not to side track your post but do you have a pic of your tank? Just wondering this tank must be something to require 6 Versa pumps.

 

[mpw213]

Thanks for the feedback! I did see the jackery when I was looking online. Another one I was considering was the bluetti elite 30 v2

 

[mpw213]

You could skip lighting the tank for 3 days without a problem to extend the battery life. Sorry to ask and not to side track your post but do you have a pic of your tank? Just wondering this tank must be something to require 6 Versa pumps.

It was originally supposed to be a simple pico tank but it’s become a bit out of hand haha.

 

[krill.zone]

OP your subject line drew me in but I don't have a cheap solution. I figured I'd share anyway my expensive insane one :) I maintain a home automation platform called "Krill" that runs on raspberry pi and what I did here was connect 4 12v 100Ah LiFePO4 batteries in parallel with the + sides bolted to a solid copper bar via 50 amp fuses (important!) and a 200 amp fuse to a 2000w inverter.

I use Krill to monitor AC power and during a power outage it'll flip relays to use battery power for critical systems (heat to my tank and tortoise mainly) but Krill can also prioritize turning on a pump or air in a smart way based on how long the power's been out, temp outside etc. Then flip on the charger if the power comes back on, even if for a little while. It can start to triage less important things as the power drains.

I made my own custom 2AWG cables and the whole rig costs about $2K USD. Happy to answer any questions and help out. Not cheap and in the really really dangerous if you don't know what you're doing category but I figured you guys would get a kick out if it.

 

[mpw213]

OP your subject line drew me in but I don't have a cheap solution. I figured I'd share anyway my expensive insane one :) I maintain a home automation platform called "Krill" that runs on raspberry pi and what I did here was connect 4 12v 100Ah LiFePO4 batteries in parallel with the + sides bolted to a solid copper bar via 50 amp fuses (important!) and a 200 amp fuse to a 2000w inverter.

I use Krill to monitor AC power and during a power outage it'll flip relays to use battery power for critical systems (heat to my tank and tortoise mainly) but Krill can also prioritize turning on a pump or air in a smart way based on how long the power's been out, temp outside etc. Then flip on the charger if the power comes back on, even if for a little while. It can start to triage less important things as the power drains.

I made my own custom 2AWG cables and the whole rig costs about $2K USD. Happy to answer any questions and help out. Not cheap and in the really really dangerous if you don't know what you're doing category but I figured you guys would get a kick out if it.

That is awesome! But I’d definitely electrocute myself. Also my tank is in my office at the hospital and they would probably call the bomb squad. But that seems like a great setup!