Generators for your Reef?

[fsu1dolfan]

So i live in Florida and have to worry about hurricanes and lengthy power outages...and of course there are other natural disasters that could leave you powerless. I came across this generator for our reef tanks. What do you guys think? I don't have one for my whole house but if i am out of power for a few days or more, i would only worry about my tank!!

It's only $129 800 Rated Watts/900 Max Watts Portable Generator

Anyone ever use this brand? Are they reliable?
Wondering if it would be enough for pumps and lights at the very least? Rated 800 watts.

Thanks

 

[gar732]

It got pretty good reviews on the site and one guy said he only paid $89 for it. I don't know if it'll run lights but for that price I may go out and pick one up.

 

[fsu1dolfan]

It got pretty good reviews on the site and one guy said he only paid $89 for it. I don't know if it'll run lights but for that price I may go out and pick one up.

Yeah the lights are my biggest concern but 150w sunpod, couple that with a few pumps and a skimmer...i probably dont even get close to 500w. Is that how generators work? You just add up your wattage and what the generator is rated is what you can use?

 

[dougers31]

I wonder if there are any issues with power surges etc for a cheaper generator like this one???

 

[fsu1dolfan]

I was doing some research and found a sick link with all kinds of generator information - Seems like Rated is the max you wanna run your generator and you basically just add up the watts of what you are running. There is also some conversions on Amps and volts too FYI Honda generators - Generator Selection Guide: what you need to know and should consider before making a buying decision - Mayberrys.com

 

[swannyson7]

Yeah the lights are my biggest concern but 150w sunpod, couple that with a few pumps and a skimmer...i probably dont even get close to 500w. Is that how generators work? You just add up your wattage and what the generator is rated is what you can use?

FWIW, your tank would be able to survive without lights for a few days. I'd be more concerned with running your pumps, heaters, & filtration. I've been looking at a couple generators from Harbor Freight as well, but haven't gotten one yet. If you end up picking it up, let us know how it works!

 

[-Logzor]

The generator in your link is the cheapo harbor-freight type of generator. It will be louder than a hurricane and severely disrupt any neighbor within 1/8 mile radius. Obviously, generators need to be operated outside in an open area. For a reef tank you need a generator that produces a pure sine wave,
otherwise equipment may become damaged.

Also, generators this cheap may not work when you need them. A honda generator, blow the dust off an it's good to good. Just like any reef equipment, you get what you pay for. I would compare this generator to a recalled stealth heater.

Notice most of those reviews are based off of a first-time startup, looks like everyone is replacing the spark plugs that they come with, and the main use is charging up batteries....not keeping animals alive.

 

[fsu1dolfan]

The generator in your link is the cheapo harbor-freight type of generator. It will be louder than a hurricane and severely disrupt any neighbor within 1/8 mile radius. Obviously, generators need to be operated outside in an open area. For a reef tank you need a generator that produces a pure sine wave,
otherwise equipment may become damaged.

Also, generators this cheap may not work when you need them. A honda generator, blow the dust off an it's good to good. Just like any reef equipment, you get what you pay for. I would compare this generator to a recalled stealth heater.

Notice most of those reviews are based off of a first-time startup, looks like everyone is replacing the spark plugs that they come with, and the main use is charging up batteries....not keeping animals alive.

Thanks for the advice - I figured as much but nevers hurts to at least check. Honestly i much rather have a honda.

 

[dougers31]

After reading this maybe I'll go with a deep cycle battery and an inverter... Honda = Big bucks;)

 

[fsu1dolfan]

FWIW, your tank would be able to survive without lights for a few days. I'd be more concerned with running your pumps, heaters, & filtration. I've been looking at a couple generators from Harbor Freight as well, but haven't gotten one yet. If you end up picking it up, let us know how it works!

If it was only a couple of days, i would be fine then...but a many years back during Wilma, i was out for 2 weeks (before i owned a tank thank goodness). So you really never do know whats gonna happen...time to start preparing just in case...i have been lucky the last 4 years!

 

[swannyson7]

If it was only a couple of days, i would be fine then...but a many years back during Wilma, i was out for 2 weeks (before i owned a tank thank goodness). So you really never do know whats gonna happen...time to start preparing just in case...i have been lucky the last 4 years!

Two weeks?!?!? How'd you do it? I lost power for 36 hours a couple years ago and I was going nuts!

 

[fsu1dolfan]

Two weeks?!?!? How'd you do it? I lost power for 36 hours a couple years ago and I was going nuts!

lol - It was rough but luckily i had friends and family the got power after a few days so i crashed there...but it was not a fun time. I did get a lot of reading done though hahaha.

 

[CoralBandit]

There is a thread out about using a marine or car battery as a vortech battery backup, look into that. Also if you have the room and money for a real generater then get that, lost power for weeks during Charlie but I wasn't reefing thankfully

 

[mfinn]

For a reef tank you need a generator that produces a pure sine wave,
otherwise equipment may become damaged.

I'm not sure if my 6500 watt generator that I have, (that has been used several times over the years) produces a pure sine wave or not.
It's a Gererac which isn't the most expensive.
I don't know if I would trust the harbor freight one.
If your looking at a smaller one, checkout the yamaha's. They are just as quiet as the hondas, just a little cheaper.

 

[fsu1dolfan]

I'm not sure if my 6500 watt generator that I have, (that has been used several times over the years) produces a pure sine wave or not.
It's a Gererac which isn't the most expensive.
I don't know if I would trust the harbor freight one.
If your looking at a smaller one, checkout the yamaha's. They are just as quiet as the hondas, just a little cheaper.

Any idea which yamaha's?? I was looking around at Honda and yamaha but couldnt find anything under 700 bucks!

 

[-Logzor]

Any idea which yamaha's?? I was looking around at Honda and yamaha but couldnt find anything under 700 bucks!

Contact Mayberrys, they have the cheapest price on them, get a written quote, take it to your honda dealer. :)

 

[xmetalfan99]

Do you live in an apartment, townhouse, or house? You may want to look in to a quality UPS from APC. I run a 1500WATTAPC UPS on my tank. I have my return pump and heater plugged in to it. I can run those two things on my tank for a little over 36 hours straight. This is a good option for you if you live in an apartment where buying a larger genie isn't exactly an option.

If your in a house ignore my post.

 

[fsu1dolfan]

Contact Mayberrys, they have the cheapest price on them, get a written quote, take it to your honda dealer. :)

Thanks for the tip!! I'll see what they can do.

Do you live in an apartment, townhouse, or house? You may want to look in to a quality UPS from APC. I run a 1500WATTAPC UPS on my tank. I have my return pump and heater plugged in to it. I can run those two things on my tank for a little over 36 hours straight. This is a good option for you if you live in an apartment where buying a larger genie isn't exactly an option.

If your in a house ignore my post.

Yeah i am in a house but thanks for the info.

 

[xmetalfan99]

Thanks for the tip!! I'll see what they can do.



Yeah i am in a house but thanks for the info.

Lucky. Figured I would show you another possible option. A quality genie is much better than any UPS. Have you tried lowes or HD? They might have some leftover winter stock that is on sale.

 

[fsu1dolfan]

Lucky. Figured I would show you another possible option. A quality genie is much better than any UPS. Have you tried lowes or HD? They might have some leftover winter stock that is on sale.

LOL in Florida we dont have winter - Summer is the hot time to by generators because of Hurricane Season...people steal them like cars down here.