Mixed Reef - DIY Battery back

[Leon.NYC]

Hi all,

With the setup of my new Waterbox tank, I'm looking back at addressing some of the main issues I've had in my journey so far. I've addressed the majority of them (documented in my build), but the main one is battery backup power. Depending on your location, this may not be an issue for some/most, but for those that are like me who live in areas with high probability of power outages (longer than a few hours). Down here in the Tampa bay area, we experience a number of these during heavy rains & hurricane season, some of which can last for days, which can be devastating to the tank & occupants. During the last hurricane, i was out of power for only 24-hours (luckily), but i was spinning the water with a PVC pipe every 30-minutes to keep some oxygen in the tank. I do keep the tank on a UPS for "clean" power, but that'll only last 1-2 hours at max.
I do know there are options like Ecotech battery back & Icecap but those will only run the wavemakers for a limited amount of time (typically less than 24-hours for two MP-40s).
Does anyone have a solution that'll run the MP40s, return & possibly skimmer for multiple days? Possibly LiFePO4 DIY solution?
Thanks all in advance!

 

[TX_REEF]

A fuel generator would generally be your best option, but obviously expensive, loud, etc. I have seen some folks use these: https://amzn.to/47I4EKK

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

There are many options. I use Tunze powerheads that automatically switch to a battery that I have if AC fails.

But if you have any sort of backup power, be sure that there is still a GFCI between the power source (battery or generator) and the device, except a low voltage dc device. Otherwise it seems a risk.

Bean, please correct me if somehow that is not right for a ups type of setup.

@BeanAnimal

 

[Subsea]

Hi all,

With the setup of my new Waterbox tank, I'm looking back at addressing some of the main issues I've had in my journey so far. I've addressed the majority of them (documented in my build), but the main one is battery backup power. Depending on your location, this may not be an issue for some/most, but for those that are like me who live in areas with high probability of power outages (longer than a few hours). Down here in the Tampa bay area, we experience a number of these during heavy rains & hurricane season, some of which can last for days, which can be devastating to the tank & occupants. During the last hurricane, i was out of power for only 24-hours (luckily), but i was spinning the water with a PVC pipe every 30-minutes to keep some oxygen in the tank. I do keep the tank on a UPS for "clean" power, but that'll only last 1-2 hours at max.
I do know there are options like Ecotech battery back & Icecap but those will only run the wavemakers for a limited amount of time (typically less than 24-hours for two MP-40s).
Does anyone have a solution that'll run the MP40s, return & possibly skimmer for multiple days? Possibly LiFePO4 DIY solution?
Thanks all in advance!

I use a RV 12VDC 1100W power supply to battery bank. Output of battery bank goes to 120VAC 500W power inverter. There are no switching devices: pumps run 24/7 using modified sine wave. I have also used 12VDC air pumps on this system.

Size battery banks to desired run time. I limit equipment to life support on uninterrupted power supply circuit.

Now that I have proof tested the system, J will move system to back porch and increase battery banks up to 1 week of run time. At that time I will run 12/2 wire thru attic and drop UPS circuit next to tank.

 

[Leon.NYC]

Thank you @Randy Holmes-Farley & everyone that responded! This is definitely what i was looking for. I only plan on remaining in my current house for the next 5ish years until i build my final home, which I'm going to make it a priority to have a Generac system for backup power. In the interim, we'll figure out this backup solution.
One that that'll I'll also add is a ATS (Auto Transfer Switch) since, depending on peoples schedules, most are away when events like this occur & its a race of the clock. Luckily I work from home & my tank is located in my office so i have eyes on it for a majority of the day.