UPS Backup For Nano Return Pump or......?

[AlohaReef]

I have the 13.5 fluval evo. I have 2 DC powerheads that don't have a "stock" backup option (slw-10's). I am trying to figure out the best solution to getting gas transfer in the tank during a power outage, and everyone talks about backing up a powerhead. In the case of my nano, I'm using a sicce syncra silent .5 pump with 8 watts of power usage, & I believe the pump is AC. Also the return pump is the one causing most of the surface disruption. Would this mean that backing up the return pump is the best option? If so, how do I calculate runtime for UPS? I've been searching google and they come up with plenty of formulas giving me all sorts of different results, the need to calculate power factor, etc. Does anyone know how long a 600 va / 300 watt UPS would run this 8 watt pump for? What if I added in my 100w helio smart heater? Just curious if I'm able to run that on UPS as well since everything is so small in a nano. Also willing to look at other backup options, but UPS seems like the easiest route.

 

[Subsea]

Does two DC power heads mean 12VDC?
If so, an inexpensive battery charger with a battery will run your life support. Heaters are a no no with respect to battery capacity. I do not consider heat an immediate life support function. If that is your first requirement, get a backup generator with automatic startup. Depends on how much money that you want to spend.

For $28, I use PennPlax air pumps on my smaller tanks.

Amazon product

 

[AlohaReef]

Does two DC power heads mean 12VDC?
If so, an inexpensive battery charger with a battery will run your life support. Heaters are a no no with respect to battery capacity. I do not consider heat an immediate life support function. If that is your first requirement, get a backup generator with automatic startup. Depends on how much money that you want to spend.

For $28, I use PennPlax air pumps on my smaller tanks.

Amazon product

Is it not more efficient to run the AC pump than DC with a back up? Also looking at a power station after viewing another thread. I'm okay without powering a heater, just was curious because it's only 100w. Primarily looking for something to take over in the case of a 24 hour blackout while I'm away and keep the tank alive.

 

[Subsea]

What does efficiency mean to you?

I thought we were talking about life saving equipment & reliability.

There are no perfect solutions. We call that trade offs. Decide what your first priority is then address that with a solution.

 

[AlohaReef]

What does efficiency mean to you?

I thought we were talking about life saving equipment & reliability.

There are no perfect solutions.

Uninterruptible/ automatic power transfer during outage for Fish & coral Life saving during an outage while i am away are my main concerns as well as value , safety, efficiency & reliability. I can get plenty of circulation & gas transfer with my return pump since I only have a nano.

I ended up going with this smaller river 3 here: https://a.co/d/ihf2XSU
For $160 should be able to run my 8 watt return for 24 hours & add a layer of safety to the system.

 

[Subsea]

245 WattHrs divided by 8 watts equals 30 hours of operation. However, because you went with solar, you lost out on dependable because of cloudy days & nights.

 

[AlohaReef]

245 WattHrs divided by 8 watts equals 30 hours of operation. However, because you went with solar, you lost out on dependable because of cloudy days & nights.

I believe solar is just an option & it can still charge via outlet. At least I assume ?

 

[GSPClown94]

I believe solar is just an option & it can still charge via outlet. At least I assume ?

Yes, that’s correct. Just leave the River 3 plugged in and it will automatically switch to battery when the power goes out. It will recharge once power is returned.

 

[Subsea]

I believe solar is just an option & it can still charge via outlet. At least I assume ?

You are correct about charging with standard 110VAC.

In my experiences as an instrumentation engineer in a hostile enviroment, the more bells & whistles; the more failure points. That’s a good value for your system.

Because I am on a rural coop, when we lose power, I have a similar setup for my WiFi router & tv.

 

[Subsea]

You have posted on a newbie thread. I don’t consider this newbie information:

to operationally check your UPS system, unplug AC POWER SOURCE and record battery voltage vrs time. Normal peak voltage charge should be 13.8 VDC. Most power inverters will draw down battery to 11.5 VDC before shutting down on low voltage. Run system for 1 hour on batteries alone. This is your base line of operation. Do this every month to prove your automatic switching and to document battery capacity over time.

Quality Control/Quality Assurance it’s an industry standard where I come from.

 

[KStatefan]

Uninterruptible/ automatic power transfer during outage for Fish & coral Life saving during an outage while i am away are my main concerns as well as value , safety, efficiency & reliability. I can get plenty of circulation & gas transfer with my return pump since I only have a nano.

I ended up going with this smaller river 3 here: https://a.co/d/ihf2XSU
For $160 should be able to run my 8 watt return for 24 hours & add a layer of safety to the system.

Simulate a power outage and verify it works like you think it should.

 

[AlohaReef]

You have posted on a newbie thread. I don’t consider this newbie information:

to operationally check your UPS system, unplug AC POWER SOURCE and record battery voltage vrs time. Normal peak voltage charge should be 13.8 VDC. Most power inverters will draw down battery to 11.5 VDC before shutting down on low voltage. Run system for 1 hour on batteries alone. This is your base line of operation. Do this every month to prove your automatic switching and to document battery capacity over time.

Quality Control/Quality Assurance it’s an industry standard where I come from.

Agreed, i also posted this on the equipment thread once I realized this. I am starting to have less newbie questions. I will definitely be testing it periodically to make sure it's good to go when I need it. My big thing is just to have it when we get outages at night or to buy time if I'm away. Otherwise I can fire up the generator.