Power outage options
- Thread starter drmofjeannie
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CrewePD210
Active Member
Just picked this up over the weekend for this exact reason. I have a 5500 watt that can handle most of my needs, but after upgrading to a 150 gallon, I wanted more power. This can pretty much run most of the whole house, not all at once, but selectively. I like to cover mine with blankets as well to insulate the heat loss. Best of luck, its going to be rough.
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yeah...Battery backup for a few hours to hold off smaller outages then a PREDATOR generator for longer terms backups.
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BoomCorals
2500 Club Member
I've been using a gas generator for the last 10 years. Works great if you're home to turn it on. Just have the hassle of running cords to the needed pumps ect. I kicked around the full house generator but decided I didn't want to spend that kind of money and have the maintenance of another gas engine. Whole house battery backup are still too expensive IMO and suspect they will come down as technology evolves.
Lately I've been kicking around getting a mid-range battery backup UPS to tide me over for a short outage. Would protect me on vacation and save the hassle of getting the gas generator going for <12h outages. Afery P310 seems like a reasonable price and would work for my system.
Lately I've been kicking around getting a mid-range battery backup UPS to tide me over for a short outage. Would protect me on vacation and save the hassle of getting the gas generator going for <12h outages. Afery P310 seems like a reasonable price and would work for my system.
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I use USB rechargeable air pumps for my tanks (up to 125 gallons) to get through hurricanes in Florida. Here's an example.
The brands change from time to time, but the ones I use (which look similar to the one in the link) have:
- Adjustable output
- Constant running option
- Intermittent running option (10 sec on, 10 sec off, repeat)
- Off when power is supplied, on when power cuts off (this sounds important for you)
Mine are also waterproof (but not submersible). Battery lasts 24 hours running constantly. Because it's hot in hurricane season, I don't plan to run any lights anyway. My worst outcome was I lost 1 frogspawn coral after 8 days of just aeration, no light or air conditioning. All other corals and fish survived in my 8 tanks.
For the price, they're just great to have. I use them for my bait when I go fishing too. No more D batteries for me! And since they recharge off USB, those battery backups for your phone will charge them too.
The brands change from time to time, but the ones I use (which look similar to the one in the link) have:
- Adjustable output
- Constant running option
- Intermittent running option (10 sec on, 10 sec off, repeat)
- Off when power is supplied, on when power cuts off (this sounds important for you)
Mine are also waterproof (but not submersible). Battery lasts 24 hours running constantly. Because it's hot in hurricane season, I don't plan to run any lights anyway. My worst outcome was I lost 1 frogspawn coral after 8 days of just aeration, no light or air conditioning. All other corals and fish survived in my 8 tanks.
For the price, they're just great to have. I use them for my bait when I go fishing too. No more D batteries for me! And since they recharge off USB, those battery backups for your phone will charge them too.
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mfinn
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I've had fish tanks ( fresh and saltwater ) for decades and decades and it wasn't until the late 80's I discovered what a huge tool a generator could be.
I remember moving fish into a temporary holding tank( discus ) in front of a fireplace to keep the water warm.
It was when I got a generator mainly for the new saltwater tank, that it seemed to be the perfect solution.
It was after that I also learned having enough generator for home comforts ( heat, lights, entertainment) was also a plus.
They do come with their own set of problems, but once you go without power for a few days, you learn to deal with them.
I remember moving fish into a temporary holding tank( discus ) in front of a fireplace to keep the water warm.
It was when I got a generator mainly for the new saltwater tank, that it seemed to be the perfect solution.
It was after that I also learned having enough generator for home comforts ( heat, lights, entertainment) was also a plus.
They do come with their own set of problems, but once you go without power for a few days, you learn to deal with them.
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Danyole
Community Member
3500W gas generator + 650W power station that I can charge from my car. Generator is useful in the winter since there's plenty of headroom to power heaters and pumps with no problem. The downside is they're LOUD. The power station is convenient for warmer months when a heater isn't necessary or for a small tank
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I have done a lot of research Briggs and Straton apparently made motors for Generac but then Generac decided to make their own. So briggs now majkes their own. Then there is Kohler. They so I found are made partially in China but a member here suggested they are made to superior specs. Generac apparently runs cheaper than others on LG comparison. A friend made the best point that was how many times are you going to use it? So price wise Generac. I found Briggs to be expensive. So is Kohler. in comparison. The bon thing is the avaiability of service. I was leaning towards Kohler or Briggs but Kohler rep is an hour and a half from me. Briggs is close and Generac is farmed out. Anyone can do the maintainamce just oil change and such. Depending on where you live dont forget cold weather kit. So there are your main considerations. I might roll the dice and just go for initial cost not sure. Another thing though is installation. I have it all covered you may not
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DEE’S reef
Well-Known Member
I had a power outage for like 8hour but we were told 16 hours so I pulled the generator to keep my tanks going I’ve never used for fresh only my saltwater tanks
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19Mateo83
Valuable Member
I have one of these little champion inverter generators. It comes in handy a lot with me being a carpenter, also for aquarium. I get 9 hours out of a 1 gallon tank of gas. I will be filling up my two 5 gallon gas tanks Friday. I also have a 512 watt hour power station I use camping in reserve.
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NanoSteam
ANTI 100% Blues Only Club
I had a unexpected outage during a storm a few weeks ago and was thankfully ready. I deployed my battery powered airstone + I had purchased this inverter that attaches to my Makita batteries which I have a bunch of. The 5AH battery was capable of running my small Hygger wave maker for 24hrs on one battery. So if you already have a bunch of batteries for power tools it's nice to have one of these on hand. They make them for all the big brands.
If all that wasn't enough and the outage was going to go on longer I had my Jackery power station charged and ready thankfully.
Of course this is bare minimum and would need something more substantial if I want to run more than circulation pumps.
If all that wasn't enough and the outage was going to go on longer I had my Jackery power station charged and ready thankfully.
Of course this is bare minimum and would need something more substantial if I want to run more than circulation pumps.
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drmofjeannie
Community Member
I ended buying Ecoflow Delta Pro power station with solar panels for home backup power. It's expandable and more batteries can be added for more power in addition to adding a panel to fuse box for entire home.
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BoomCorals
2500 Club Member
That sounds more convenient for you but you still have to manually turn on. I’m looking for something that happens automatically when I’m not home. Hence the UPS.
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I hope you calculated the run time properly. My research ended up that the UPS I needed was $2500 . They are not as powerful as people think if you want your stuff to run overnight you need amp hours. That is why I mothballed that idea and will use my portable to handle the 3 Aquariums if I have to. My Honda will run 8 hours from full. When the snow stops I am going the whole home route
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Andamaite
Community Member
A generator, honestly. One that can run your essentials like your home's heating system and fridge. It's a solid investment to pick up one "just because" and saves you from a lot of heartbreak if you have reptiles or reef tanks.
It's also not a bad idea to make yourself an emergency insulation kit. Good old purple board, or even "bubble foil" to wrap the tank and help hold in what heat you've got already. USB powered air pumps and a few power banks as well.
Make sure any generator is set up safely on a concrete pad away from sources of ignition, though.
It's also not a bad idea to make yourself an emergency insulation kit. Good old purple board, or even "bubble foil" to wrap the tank and help hold in what heat you've got already. USB powered air pumps and a few power banks as well.
Make sure any generator is set up safely on a concrete pad away from sources of ignition, though.
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