Power outage?

[GeoHawk]

I want to get an idea of what people do in a power outage situation. I am mainly asking those who live in colder climates. I just got home from college, because it was canceled due to a blizard, and it is supposed to get really cold tomorrow. My concern is that the poser goes out sometime today, and doesn't come back for 24 hours. My house would probably drop to below 55 degrees, and the tank temp would follow close behind (not to mention the fall of oxygen levels.

I have thought of buying a generator just in case, but I would have to run it outside and bring it in the house.
Anyone have some great ideas on how to be prepared for such an occasion?

 

[Captain Nemo]

+ 100 on the generator! It stays outside and you run an extension cord inside. It will be fine, just make sure you keep the gen outside, the fumes are like that of a car since its run off gasoline!

 

[btkrausen]

Yeah, in the case of 24 hours+, a generator is about the only thing thats going to keep you going, especially if your house temp drops that low. We had a bad outage the year before last, where we lost power for over a week. Luckily, I didn't have a tank setup at the time, and I even recall saying I was glad I had nothing setup, haha.

 

[GeoHawk]

What size of a generator do you guys think? How much are they usually?
Oh and what about night time? I am sure my neighbors would not appreciate a generator running all night.

 

[btkrausen]

I'm interested in this as well. I know they can cost anywhere from $400 to over $2000, so sizing would be of importance to minimize cost.

You have to take into consideration that your tank probably isn't the only thing you'll want to power as well...you'll need to keep yourself warm too, hehe.

 

[Captain Nemo]

My wife got mine for me at Tractor Supply and it puts out 1500watts with 200 surge watts. havent had to use it yet, but hopefully wont need to. It was like 249.00 or something like that.

 

[Captain Nemo]

And p.s. the neighbors will get over it. Would you rather have happy neighbors or a happy reef? Personally it speaks for itself to me.

 

[btkrausen]

Hey, thats not bad at all. I still want to buy one as insurance in case we have another storm like that.

 

[thewackyreefer]

Good luck with that storm! Hopefully the power stays on for ya!

 

[HiroPro]

We have major winter weather in our area today too. I bought a 2000W generator from Lowes yesterday afternoon. They sold out pretty quick.

 

[GeoHawk]

And p.s. the neighbors will get over it. Would you rather have happy neighbors or a happy reef? Personally it speaks for itself to me.

LOL! I don't even like my neighbors!:xd:

 

[GeoHawk]

We have major winter weather in our area today too. I bought a 2000W generator from Lowes yesterday afternoon. They sold out pretty quick.

How much was it?

 

[btkrausen]

We have major winter weather in our area today too. I bought a 2000W generator from Lowes yesterday afternoon. They sold out pretty quick.

Ugh...good luck with that storm. I think we are supposed to be getting something tonight or tomorrow. So far we've been lucky and had no outages in the last year really.

 

[GeoHawk]

Do you guys think 1000 watts would work? Hopefully to power 250W MH, Mag drive 9, heater, and a couple koralias? I don't mind freezing my self, but if my reef freezes then Ill be furious.

 

[Captain Nemo]

I would go with at least 1500 just to be safe so you could also run your fridge part of the time too. Better to have to much than not enough.

 

[m and m]

I say if you can spend 300 on a frag you can spend a few hundred on a generater. To not have one in for back up is playing russian rullet... Also the vorteck back up is the very least IMO you can always cover the tank and insalate it if worse came to worse. I have all my power lines underground which helps me alot never had to use mine( noock on wood) but i would be good for a few days if i did.

 

[m and m]

Do you guys think 1000 watts would work? Hopefully to power 250W MH, Mag drive 9, heater, and a couple koralias? I don't mind freezing my self, but if my reef freezes then Ill be furious.

Also keep in mind your light doesnt need to run. Yea its nice but its not a NEEDED, i mean ive turned my light off on perpuse two or three days in a row.

 

[swannyson7]

If you're only concerned with the tank and nothing else, I would just buy a small generator. Your reef can survive with no light for a few days (I had gone through a couple 72 hr blackouts while battling dinos with no ill effects). The lack of flow, filtration, and heat are the things that will do you in real quick. I'd say a 1000 watt one should maintain all the absolutely essential parts for a moderate sized tank.

 

[Troylee]

i would use a ups its the battery back up system for a home personal computer it will get you by for a short amount of time... my vortecs have a battery back up that keeps them going if i had to.... vegas isn't prone to power outages unless you don't pay the bill lol..... for heat im not sure i would get the firs place going and get the place nice and toasty and maybe boil some hot water and set the pan in the sump or something similar.... i haven't tried that but it was a thought anyways...lol

 

[swannyson7]

i would use a ups its the battery back up system for a home personal computer it will get you by for a short amount of time... my vortecs have a battery back up that keeps them going if i had to.... vegas isn't prone to power outages unless you don't pay the bill lol..... for heat im not sure i would get the firs place going and get the place nice and toasty and maybe boil some hot water and set the pan in the sump or something similar.... i haven't tried that but it was a thought anyways...lol

If it's a small enough tank, then a tupperware full of boiling water along with wrapping the tank in thermal blankets will help maintain the temp for a bit, but placing it in the sump won't help with no pump to draw the water back into the DT. In the past, I boiled freshly mixed saltwater in a pot on the grill and slowly added it to the tank to maintain temp. Far from an exact science, but it can be done with alot of leg work and close monitoring of a few thermometers. They also sell battery powered air pumps which could help aerate the water a bit for short outtages. Basically, there's no good solution for outtages in cold weather other than a generator.