Total tank wipe out :/

[treefly]

So I was recently hit with a winter storm while I was out of town and got stuck away from my tank. All power was lost for a couple of days while I was gone. Needless to say everything got wiped out. Lesson learned on a small generator plan for that. I am devastated that I am having to start over, but it is what it is. My question is, what can I do to beef up my 32 gallon biocube? Like as in upgrade wise. I have an idea on removing the canopy and upgrading lights and skimmer. Any suggestions all on what I should go with? Thankyou!

 

[exnisstech]

Sorry to hear this. Can't help with the tank upgrades but a small generator isn't going to help when your away unless you have someone to come over and set it up and keep it full of fuel.

 

[Exotrezy]

Sorry to hear this. Can't help with the tank upgrades but a small generator isn't going to help when your away unless you have someone to come over and set it up and keep it full of fuel.

Could be an electric generator. Those have been getting pretty popular recently. Or he could be talking about a battery backup as I don't really know what a "small" generator is. Battery backups you plug your stuff in and they automatically run when power goes out and last a good amount of time.

 

[backbayreef]

So sorry to hear - best of luck toward recovery.

 

[exnisstech]

Could be an electric generator. Those have been getting pretty popular recently. Or he could be talking about a battery backup as I don't really know what a "small" generator is. Battery backups you plug your stuff in and they automatically run when power goes out and last a good amount of time.

Could be I suppose. But if no one is home or avaliable to connect everything and maintain it I don't see it as an option for days away from home. I don't know of anything besides a whole home genny with an automatic transfer switch that would work for days away. I just had an 18kw unit installed to run off of my 500 gallon propane tank. They're expensive but I have more than the cost invested in the hobby and I can run the entire house if we loose power.

 

[Exotrezy]

Could be I suppose. But if no one is home or avaliable to connect everything and maintain it I don't see it as an option for days away from home. I don't know of anything besides a whole home genny with an automatic transfer switch that would work for days away. I just had an 18kw unit installed to run off of my 500 gallon propane tank. They're expensive but I have more than the cost invested in the hobby and I can run the entire house if we loose power.

Your completely right! :grinning-face-with-smiling-eyes:

 

[PharmrJohn]

Could be I suppose. But if no one is home or avaliable to connect everything and maintain it I don't see it as an option for days away from home. I don't know of anything besides a whole home genny with an automatic transfer switch that would work for days away. I just had an 18kw unit installed to run off of my 500 gallon propane tank. They're expensive but I have more than the cost invested in the hobby and I can run the entire house if we loose power.

My Dad had one if these generators that ran off of natural gas. Worked like a charm. The switch over was seamless. I'll most likely have one in my retirement years. But, as others have stated, is really the only good long term option. In the meantime, I'll run a battery backup to get me home, then plug everything into my gas generator. @VintageReefer may have some good ideas for ya on what to get for a good battery backup......

 

[Subsea]

PennPlax (Silent air Model B11) makes a $30 air pump that comes on when power fails. For small tanks two D cell batteries ran the pump for 10days. I have those on numerous small tanks.

For display tanks, a battery UPS system will operate two 70W circulation pumps for 72 hours. If I need more run time, I add more battery capacity.

If I lose power during cold weather, backup heat comes from wood burning fireplace and a portable propane gas space heater.

 

[treefly]

Sorry to hear this. Can't help with the tank upgrades but a small generator isn't going to help when your away unless you have someone to come over and set it up and keep it full of fuel.

No I have that issue addressed but I’m wondering like what upgrades I can do to my tank such as light recommendations or new skimmer recommendations. Things like that to take it to the next level. I want to invest in upgrading my system before I restock.

 

[Tamberav]

No I have that issue addressed but I’m wondering like what upgrades I can do to my tank such as light recommendations or new skimmer recommendations. Things like that to take it to the next level. I want to invest in upgrading my system before I restock.

Instead of taking the lid off a biocube, I would get a new tank. IM makes a budget 20g.

The lid on the biocube is kind of the point imo, to make it a clean looking system. It’s not great looking without a lid.

Light wise Kessil 360x, reefi, orphek are all good options. I would do any of these over ai prime or radions.

Nano skimmers are not super great but do more than just skim I suppose since they can be used to oxygenate the water.

The next next level would be a tank with a sump below so you cold run better equipment since AIO has space limitations.

Don’t forget you will want an ATO for a lidless tank.

 

[vetteguy53081]

So I was recently hit with a winter storm while I was out of town and got stuck away from my tank. All power was lost for a couple of days while I was gone. Needless to say everything got wiped out. Lesson learned on a small generator plan for that. I am devastated that I am having to start over, but it is what it is. My question is, what can I do to beef up my 32 gallon biocube? Like as in upgrade wise. I have an idea on removing the canopy and upgrading lights and skimmer. Any suggestions all on what I should go with? Thankyou!

Choices are Battery operated air pumps, gas generator, Heat packs, Battery backup units and APC battery unit.

 

[FUNGI]

Choices are Battery operated air pumps, gas generator, Heat packs, Battery backup units and APC battery unit.

and solar...lets not count that out...

 

[vetteguy53081]

and solar...lets not count that out...

At the cost of solar, I dont think one would invest in this for emergency tank power. The cost of solar is unaffordable for many. I'm listing realistic, affordable items

 

[PharmrJohn]

and solar...lets not count that out...

I've actually considered that. Have you done any research into cost? I imagine it would be a tad costly not only for the panels but for the batteries as well......

 

[FUNGI]

I've actually considered that. Have you done any research into cost? I imagine it would be a tad costly not only for the panels but for the batteries as well......

My last conversation was the Tesla battery was approx: $12~15K installed.
The solar panels costings are all over the place....but approx: $11K~$20K depending on size.....and you could get up to 30% rebate on your ITC (California) rate might be different in your state

 

[FUNGI]

so figure $35K initial, with $10,500 rebate....
lifetime cost: $24500. (but you also get to charge your Tesla car LOL).....

 

[PharmrJohn]

Sounds about right. And my next car will be electric.......

 

[FUNGI]

Sounds about right. And my next car will be electric.......

How many miles you drive a year?

 

[bobnicaragua]

I lost my 135 gal SPS tank in the big 2021 freeze in DFW. I now have 2 generators.

The power was out for 5 days. I had a back up battery on an MP40, but the water temp got down to 38 degrees F. I was boiling tank water on the fireplace and dumping it back in the tank. That just slowed down the inevitable.

After the freeze, I did a series of water changes and restarted with the same rock. The tank was very unstable with all kinds of uglies popping up. I added some ocean live rock and things improved pretty quickly.

 

[PharmrJohn]

How many miles you drive a year?

Anywhere between 21 to 24K.