Power outage options

[drmofjeannie]

I am worried about possibility of loss of power to my tank due to power outage from a snowstorm. Does anyone else have a backup and if so what do you use?

 

[Largeangels]

UPS backup, multiple battery air pumps that kick on with power outage, generator with transfer switch for fish tanks, heat, fridge, lights, etc.

 

[StewL6]

Ecoflow ultra 6 KW expandable UPS mode

 

[Buckster]

I have a portable generator that I keep on a dolly to move it close to the garage door which I slightly open for venting. The generator is loud and gas burn is acceptable. I selectively plug in what I feel is needed on my 3 tanks. My wife likes the fridge plugged in but I would rather buy some food instead of livestock for the tank

 

[rockdiver]

I use this will automatically kick on if the power goes out will run everything except lights for days heaters are another issue have to turn them on and off they take the most watts.
I also have my T-Mobile internet plugged in to it so i dont lose my wifi to all my Hydros stuff and able to turn thinks on and off.

 

[mfinn]

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.

I've heard people say the Predator's aren't a reliable generator, but I bought one when they first came out about 10 years ago ( 8750) and used it sometimes multiple times a year. Sold it to a friend. I upgraded last fall to the 9500 inverter model and upgraded my gentran transfer box ( 12 circuit) to include the whole house.
Used it twice already.

 

[vlangel]

A power inverter run off a car with extension cords can power life supports on an aquarium plus even a fridge/ freezer and room heater.

 

[Jack_L]

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.

hi, i've been trying to find one that will be on standby and only run when it detects a power outage. this one's description says when pluged it it acts as a normal pump. do you have any that actually will stay in standbye mode while being charged, then turn on using the battery when power is lost? i can't find any like that. but it seems like it would be a common product.

 

[DIYreefer]

I have a back up plan for my back up plan.

 

[DIYreefer]

I have a portable generator that I keep on a dolly to move it close to the garage door which I slightly open for venting. The generator is loud and gas burn is acceptable. I selectively plug in what I feel is needed on my 3 tanks. My wife likes the fridge plugged in but I would rather buy some food instead of livestock for the tank

Fish over food always!

 

[Freenow54]

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.

They make composite pads that I have used for AC Condenser units out side here in the great white North saves a lot of work .Maybe put down a gravel bed in a form. Mixing concrete is a pain just to get the material then mixing form gravel bed no thanks. A whole home generator also saves your spouse from knowing that you care about your fish more

 

[Freenow54]

I have a back up plan for my back up plan.

Another pain I have one too great as long as an outage happens when you are awake. My neighbor has a dedicated receptacle isolated from the main feed of course and his genny in the garage so he is up and running in minutes. I have a Honda 2000 that will run for 8 hours on a full tank. I don't have a garage too bad. I can daisy chain them to double triple output rather have a whole home

 

[DIYreefer]

Another pain I have one too great as long as an outage happens when you are awake. My neighbor has a dedicated receptacle isolated from the main feed of course and his genny in the garage so he is up and running in minutes. I have a Honda 2000 that will run for 8 hours on a full tank. I don't have a garage too bad. I can daisy chain them to double triple output rather have a whole home

Even if I’m not awake the tanks would be ok until I woke up and got the generators running. Wouldn’t be a huge issue.

 

[dylanb1234]

https://amzn.to/4qMxVfY

Highly recommend that solar generator. Very easy to use!

 

[BeanAnimal]

Another pain I have one too great as long as an outage happens when you are awake. My neighbor has a dedicated receptacle isolated from the main feed of course and his genny in the garage so he is up and running in minutes. I have a Honda 2000 that will run for 8 hours on a full tank. I don't have a garage too bad. I can daisy chain them to double triple output rather have a whole home

Running a generator in the garage, even with a door open is insanely dangerous and a good way to kill your entire family with carbon monoxide.

 

[Freenow54]

I hate that kind of thing in the morning . out there with flashlight in the friking dark I like a nice coffee sss in the morning. I am a ssssslllloooow ggguy in the am always have I would love to be your nieghbour watching you scramble while my generator is running. I know I would come over with a coffee for you though buddy.

 

[Freenow54]

Running a generator in the garage, even with a door open is insanely dangerous and a good way to kill your entire family with carbon monoxide.

He has not done it yet I am interested in that very thing there was a guy a few years back had it in his house and killed his entire family. I used to do investigations not fun. One time i was called out its always 2am for some reason . I still think it was his wife that called. It was classified as an odour call thats it. I got there he had open vats of parts cleaners chroming chemicals stripper and as Paul would say tot the Poll kind and it was back in the old days a furnace with a pilot light. I backed out shut and locked his meter. The next day since I was just a rookie I got a call from my Manager asking why I did that . The customer was livid . Cant fix stupid pal.
By the way I think it was you that doesn't like AI I spent the last 4 days trying to stop repeated sign in requests from Microsoft every 10 seconds . I with Ai managed to create another account in a private window but I lost the backup features now I had to export my favorites and am stuck with this at the moment 4 days from 5am till 6 pm . That's where I am now. My Microsoft account is attached to my email and is corrupted which blocks me from creating a proper new account and importing my favorite's back. I have to admit I found it interesting but enough is enough. I am not sure how to proceed. I have found that AI will not presume you have to spell it out like your talking to a child have to be very precise which is hard when you cant explain computer talk

 

[BeanAnimal]

He has not done it yet I

This isn’t even debatable, running an internal combustion engine in a garage is deadly in the garage and the home. Carbon Monoxide can and will seep into the home.

Anybody who tempts fate by doing this is high on the list for a Darwin Award.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Lets's throw some numbers at this..

In the US there are more than 600 carbon monoxide deaths per year, with close to half of this being attributed to consumer products (generators, space heaters, small engines). With 40% or more being directly attributed to portal generators.

But wait....

According to the CDC, more than 100,000 people visit an emergency room for accidental carbon monoxide poisoning every year, with over 14,000 being hospitalized.

I can't stress enough how dangerous it is to run a generator in a garage or other confined space. That includes close to to house, or between houses or in a crawlspace, carport, etc.

 

[Ewilson04]

We use a portable generator that can power the whole house

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Lets's throw some numbers at this..

In the US there are more than 600 carbon monoxide deaths per year, with close to half of this being attributed to consumer products (generators, space heaters, small engines). With 40% or more being directly attributed to portal generators.

But wait....

According to the CDC, more than 100,000 people visit an emergency room for accidental carbon monoxide poisoning every year, with over 14,000 being hospitalized.

I can't stress enough how dangerous it is to run a generator in a garage or other confined space. That includes close to to house, or between houses or in a crawlspace, carport, etc.

close to a house? Riiight. Open air outside a residence is not a threat unless exhaust is pointed towards an open window/door. Bit of a reach there.