Poll = Who has emergency backup power?

[fishfarmer]

I'd like to know what folks are using for backup power sources in case of power failures. Are they automated systems? How long will they sustain your tank and the size of system they are powering? Any and all ideas are welcome.

 

[kling]

I have my return pump RIO2500 running on an APC UPS Smart 1400. So far the longest outage lasted 4+ hours without interruptions on the return pump. For longer outages, and in case the UPS stops, an DC/AC inverter will be used and running off my car.

 

[salefen]

I have a dc/ac converter, still unopened in case of an emergency. I will hook it up to my car to run one pump for the sump. I think this is probably the cheapest way to go about 50 bucks. Better than losing much more than that in my 135 reef.

 

[Anonymous]

After losing 4 beautiful fish in May to an extended power outage, I purchased a Generac 4000 watt generator. It will run 13 hours on a 5 gallon tank of gas. Longest I've had to use it: 12 hours. Ran: 3 tanks - return pumps and powerheads, fridge, TV and a couple of lights. Cost: 649.00 but worth the peace of mind it has given me since. I have had to use it twice.

 

[monkeyboy]

I have 2 really loud battery powered air pumps. Wow! Most power outages where i'm from only last for a half an hour or at most a couple so it doesn't really warrant anything expensive (especially when theres plenty of room in the tank for more stuff...), but how long could u run a rio2500 off that dc/ac converter, runs off a car? 50 bucks sounds great!

 

[Gopherfish]

Not to give shameless plugs for stores I detest anyway- but Best Buy has an APC 575KVA UPS system for $60 after rebate. It's actually a smart UPS- meaning you could really go all out and have it record outages and power spikes/dips on your PC. Course, running your PC would defeat the purpose of saving the battery for your filters, lights, etc.

575KVA would run a filter motor and some power heads for quite a few hours.

-Goph

 

[petpoor]

5,000 watt generator,ran it non-stop for 4 days last winter.Worth every penny I spent on it.
Tom

 

[rfs1rock]

Hello,I have a 6500watt generator with a gentran switch,this will do the whole house.

 

[24Tom]

I had a nine hour power outage last week. Two battery operated Hagen air pumps kept my 30 and 10 gallon reef tanks OK. Of course they wouldn't have been much good if I wasn't around at the time. Power failures are a good reason to have under stocked tanks. The potential large lost and the high level of light required has kept me away from large tanks. I really don't want to wear sun screen and sunglasses when I'm watching TV.

 

[monkeyboy]

Sounds like i'll be heading over to best buy!

 

[Laura Hargrave]

I live in a hurricane prone area and we purchased two generators to run the tanks and other household appliances. They have already saved my tanks 3 times. They are worth their weight in gold as far as I'm concerned.

 

[jmeader]

One 8k gas powered generator.

 

[BigPoppa]

I personally like the idea of both a UPS and a generator. In an IDEAL situation you could have a UPS that would buy you enough time to get home and fire up a generator. The thing I would fear most is an extended outage while you were away. Or you could get real fancy and have a UPS with dry contacts, and when it is running on battery it could trigger a remote starter for a generator, of course now we are talking big bucks.

 

[wasabi]

THE LIGHTS FLICKERED ONCE LAST YEAR. I IMMEDIATELY SHELLED OUT 400.00 FOR A GENERATOR. NOT EVEN A BLOWN FUSE SINCE. HAVENT EVEN HAD A CHANCE TO START MY GENERATOR.

 

[fish_who?]

I live in CA. I have not had the power outage. I guess I should hook up my APC. I have an APC 3000. It should last a little while, only running the circulation pumps. I wish I could get a generator. I live in an apt and I don't think my neighbors would like it. The already wondered about the lights until I showed them the tank.

 

[Nathan1]

While it's not *really* backup power per se, it can keep your tank alive in an emergency.

Penn Plax Battery air pump:

-Nathan

 

[julieanne]

Hi! I have a backup power supply that is hooked up to deep cycle marine batteries. It works like a computer UPS except it takes a second to switch over. It will support both my 100 gallon tank and 50 gallon tank (without lights) for 7 days. The system works on AC, keeps the batteries charged, when the power goes out, it automatically switches over to to DC, converts it etc. It is a really cool system. I have a back up generator also. Longest I have been without power is 2 weeks.

It is made by Stabylex. You can see them on the net at majorpower.com Hope that helps.

 

[davelin315]

OK, how many of you that own generators bought them because you feared the apocalypse would arrive with Y2K?

Or, did you get yours really cheap at the expense of somebody in fear of the Y2K apocalypse?

 

[danmhippo]

Not reef related, but my office server has an APC hooked up to it. Does that count? (the thread title didn't state clear enough!)

 

[houston]

Have a deep cycle battery, trickle charger, and inverter running a maxi-jet - purchased after a six hour long power outage that occurred while I was at work. Came home to find most of my fish dead. The corals were fine and showed no sign of stress. I had no idea what had happened until I checked the timers.

How the heck do all of you afford to reef AND stay home to turn on those generators?!?