Power outages

tidequeen09

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Hey everyone, I live in Canada, we have power outages where I live when bad storms happen, which is often kn spring and summer.

What can I get to make sure all my electrical (HOB filter, heaters and wavemakers work long term for a few days if needed.

Or is there options for battery operated equipment for the tank?

Thanks
 

UncommonSense

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Your heater is the primary power consumer of the items listed above; without it, a simple battery backup would suffice for several days!

If you’re running the heater during a power outage that long, a battery bank, or generator would be the best option!
 

buzzfin

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Heater will drain your backup power very quickly, so I would not rely on backup power to run your heater unless it's a very large backup or a small heater. I run a power station that has a LiFePO4 battery. It will power all the essentials (return pump, powerheads, ATO, Apex, etc.) for hours (days?). It can also be charged by optional solar panel or with the included car charging cable. Lifespan of the internal battery is 10 years. For long power outages, I have a generator. Here's the power station I have:

Amazon product
 

Gumbies R Us

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This thread is packed full of good information regarding power outages!

 

Sdot

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The best option you can choose is a solar battery generator. There are tons of different models available depending on your needs and budget.

My suggestion would be to buy one that includes a few small, portable solar panels (which are often sold as add-ons). These generators work as a UPS when plugged into a wall outlet. During power outages—depending on the size and capacity—they can often provide enough energy to run an entire aquarium for days. If you connect portable solar panels, you can extend that runtime even further.

Some reputable brands to consider are EcoFlow, Jackery, and Bluetti, among others.
 

VintageReefer

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If you get power outages that lasts for days. I would totally get a gas generator - 100%. I wouldn't consider any other options.
That is my opinion..
^correct

@tidequeen09
I’m a big supporter and fan of battery backup stations and I have to agree - if the heater remaining powered is a concern then get a gas generator.

If gas is not an option then I can help spec a battery solution coupled with a solar panel, it would be about $1000 but you would be able to run the tank for days or even weeks theoretically. I would need to know what wattage heater you are using and also your hob filter model and powerhead models
 

backbayreef

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It really depends on your tank size and what types of inhabitants you're keeping. For most tanks, it's super simple with just a wavemaker, depending on where you live. I've done this with Ecotech MP40/60 wavemakers on batteries that can last ~40hours. During a multi-day outage, one should be selective on what to run. You'll need to source of temperature control and oxygenation. The rest of the equipment (reactors, skimmers, etc) is actually optional.

I've built a solar-powered battery system for my 2 tanks last week. It should last me 10 hours, transferred automatically when I'm not even home. To extend my usage, I can turn off non-essential equipment. Hooking up solar panels (in process) will let me run off-grid for days. In the meantime, I do have a Honda generator that can charge the batteries or keep the tanks going for 6-8hours with 1 gallon of gas. I have another 5gal of gas on standby. Ultimately, solar-powered battery system is the way to go!
 

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