Generators?

[Steve Jones]

I've been reading about UPS for aquarium backups. battery powered air pumps, generators, etc for aquariums for a while. I have a BioCube 29 with 3 days left going 76 days fallow. I have 3 fish that survived the Brooks outbreak (which is why I am going fallow) in a Hospital Tank and I have 2 fish in QT that will eventually go into the DT. I've been battling illness and bacterial infection in the Hospital Tank for the past couple of weeks as well. Finally got things as stabilized as possible for now. And then last night we get hit by a storm and the house loses power. So there I am at around midnight with 3 tanks and no power. In the 14 years we've lived in this house, I'd say we've lost electricity less than 5 times.

So - I'm up until the power comes back on at 4:00 AM babysitting the fish (and our 12-year old who was scared that the power went out.) After this, I'm thinking a small generator may be in order. I may never need it, but I'd feel safer. I don't think a UPS would last long enough. And I know it wouldn't power everything. I see 1,000W generators for around $150 online. I'd be willing to make that investment for piece of mind.

Anyone have a generator they use for power backup for their aquarium? Any recommendations on brands / models? I figure I would have to run it in the garage with the garage door open and bring the power into the house with an extension cord.

 

[BetURWrasse]

I have a generator as a backup to my backups. What flow pumps are you using? why not just get a battery backup like Ecotech or IceCap make?

 

[Agamerce]

Are ecotech batteries only designed to run ecotech only devices? I dont think he has that equipment

 

[Steve Jones]

I have a generator as a backup to my backups. What flow pumps are you using? why not just get a battery backup like Ecotech or IceCap make?

I'm thinking that if I am going to back things up, I might as well back everything up - pump, lights, heater, powerheads, etc. It seems to me it would be easier to just back up everything with one device (generator) as opposed to trying to back up pieces.

I don't have Ecotech or Icecap equipment. And with just a quick look, I can get a generator that will run everything for less than one of the Echotech battery backups.

 

[Agamerce]

In my case the powerhead and heater backup are what I need but I havent made a decision. Good planing BTW!

Steve, As long as you are home when the outage occurs you are fine. Will the generator start in a failure automatically? An ATS is important for that.

 

[Steve Jones]

If I go overnight anywhere, I have a "fish-sitter" that would come over and start the generator. Adding an ATS would make the cost huge and not feasible - and I don't think you can even put an ATS on a $150 generator.

My main concern is that I can somehow get power to the system for at least 24 hours when I am around - for situations that happened like last night. And living in the south, when the rare ice storms come through (3 times in 14 years) some parts of our town were w/o power for 3-5 days. And if I'm not around, then my "sitter' can get it all running again by firing up one device - the generator.

 

[vic67]

I got a dual fuel generator (Sportsman 4000/3250 watts) for about $300. It'll run everything in my tanks and my fridge/etc. if necessary. You'll have to use heavy duty extension cords depending on the distance to and from. It is recommended that it never runs it in the garage even with the door open.

I did get a cheap battery powered air pump also. It automatically turns on when the power goes out.

 

[Steve Jones]

I just ordered a 2,000 watt propane fueled generator for $163.19 + tax + free shipping (5-7 days). Figure that will be powerful enough and the propane will be easier to have on hand and keep as I already have a gas grill and an extra tank. And cleaner to "burn". It comes with regulator and hose.

 

[morpheas]

Do you have any links on that?

Thanks!

 

[Steve Jones]

Do you have any links on that?

Thanks!

From all places, an "office supply" web store...

http://www.quill.com/sku/sku?SKU=50604848&Effort_Code=901&Find_Number=WYF00954760&PageType=1

 

[morpheas]

That's great thank you!

 

[Steve Jones]

That's great thank you!

Sure thing. It's about $60 cheaper than I saw anywhere else and with free shipping a pretty good deal!

 

[Agamerce]

In a twist of fate I lost power last night from 9:30 to just after 1am. Although I was home it proved two things to me. 1 the importance to weather the entire outage with peace of mind is irreplaceable. 2 having an automatic transfer switch that can power on and off is so important especially with a generator even if you only backup critical circuits in your location is also REALLY nice.

 

[JakeK]

I recently went on a two week trip. Our power did not go out but the GFCI outlet my equipment for one of my tanks is plugged into tripped. I was in South America at the time. I found out when I checked my webcam and saw the water level was low in the DT. I contacted a friend who has a tank and he came over after work a couple hours after I first found out. We talked on the phone and he confirmed the outlet was tripped. The MP40 in my 93 gallon had been running on its battery backup for at least 15 hours before the outlet was reset.

15+ hours on the battery backup only and I didn't lose a single fish, shrimp, crab or anemone. I did lose 2 freshly cut frags of SPS but that was it. The water was 67*f when the outlet was reset.

A complete system backup would be awesome but my mixed reef tank with fish survived 67*f water temps and movement with just the MP40's battery backup.

I will also add that the webcam is just as important as the backup power. That combo saved my tank while I was on a different continent.

 

[Agamerce]

Thats awesome and unbelievable. 67 degrees? Healthy fish can make it easier.

I think the power loss at night helped as the fish slept through most of it. The reduced oxygen or temp wasn't a big deal because of that.

After this, I have revised my emergency plan. I was going to include my 150 watt heater with the critical, but now I will only set my 50 watt for a few winter months from now on. Now Im only running 10.5 watts for summer and 55.5 watts in winter. This was a great trial and learning experience.

 

[JakeK]

The temp drops aren't as big of a deal as long as there is water movement because the oxygen in the water will rise. The fish typically hide in these situations.

As soon as the lights came back on, the Bartlett a this's were the first to come out and start swimming around, then the wrasses and last the angel fish, even with the water that cool.

If you live in a climate where you need a chiller and the ambient air temperature would rise in a power outage to above 85 degrees indoors, then keeping the chiller connected to a backup might be worthwhile. My tank is in my basement which never gets warmer than 67 or 68 degrees.

 

[Agamerce]

Mines in the game room underground and very similar to yours. I would rather it not get ambient temp even if its room temp from ac/heat. It does snow here in NC and if Im not home its peace of mind.

 

[Salty1962]

I have the battery backup for my Ecotechs so I have some circulation when the power goes out. If it's longer, I have a generator I got from HD to keep things going longer. With your tank you could go with an UPS that would give you a few hours of backup. I know of people who have them plugged into other rooms and pull them out during a power outage because they don't have room around their tanks and to keep salt out of UPS. Just a couple of suggestions.

 

[Agamerce]

I think for me one of the major factors is an automatic system. I can be traveling for days, vacay, or work and unable to respond. Thankfully, I also have an electrical and supply space under tank.

 

[Salty1962]

I think for me one of the major factors is an automatic system. I can be traveling for days, vacay, or work and unable to respond. Thankfully, I also have an electrical and supply space under tank.

Your best bet would be an UPS if that's the case. Nothing to have to connect for backup.