power outage, how cold can the tank get?

[CTurtleGirl]

I just recently went through a lengthy power outage and was freaking out about how cold the water was getting even with wrapping the tank in a blanket. When the power came back on the tank had dropped from 79 to 63 degrees. This was over a 24 hour period. Everything that as far as I can see survived. Any advice if this happens again how to keep the tank a little warmer aside from dropping the big bucks and buying a generator? The tank is in the basement away from the woodstove so thats why it gets so cold. I got a batter powered air pump for aeration. I was also curious as to how cold could the water get before things start to get critical.

CTG

 

[trido]

I dont know the critical point of cold. However I do know that a power inverter hooked to your car battery and an extension cord can do wonders. If it is too far from your car you could get a deep cell marine battery and keep it around for emergencies. An 800 watt inverter is only around $60 at your local auto parts store. :wink:

 

[CTurtleGirl]

Thanks for the reply. I will have to check that inverter out. I think the heater is a 300 watt ebo jeger and the return is a rio 2700 i think. How many watts would the return pump use?

Trido: Its been a wierd winter here in the northwest as you know since you are in seattle, have you had any power outage issues?

CTG

 

[grav]

I also run an inverter, much cheaper and in most cases easier than a generator.

 

[trido]

Thanks for the reply. I will have to check that inverter out. I think the heater is a 300 watt ebo jeger and the return is a rio 2700 i think. How many watts would the return pump use?

Trido: Its been a wierd winter here in the northwest as you know since you are in seattle, have you had any power outage issues?

CTG

I have been out of power only once for ten hours. I just ran my truckin the driveway for most of it and It didnt really even move the gas guage. I ran A mag18, two 250 watt heaters a 75 watt heater and a Maxijet 1200. The coffee pot put the inverter over the edge and kicked the breaker on it. I have been lucky. ALOT of people in the greater Seattle area have lost their tanks due to a week plus (or lack of planning) with no power.


It doesnt look like the worst is over here in the Great Northwest. Winds were recorded in Eastern Washington a 130MPH today and we have another snow storm on the way. I wish all of those with recovering tanks the best.

 

[Anonymous]

It doesnt look like the worst is over here in the Great Northwest. Winds were recorded in Eastern Washington a 130MPH today and we have another snow storm on the way. I wish all of those with recovering tanks the best.

WOW!!! 8O To all those affected, take care! And I second Trido's thoughts for those with recovering tanks....

 

[blackcloudmedia]

WOW! Thats quite a drop in temp. I found that the majority of the heat in the tank leaves through the top. WHat I did to save money on heating is I custom cut plexiglass lids to the tank with just the holes for the skimmer and the powerhead. THe power head injects air from outside the tank obviously so I dont have to worry about the air under the lid going stale. My room was freezing this morning when I woke up and the tank was 75 degrees with no heater.

Perhaps you could find a way to put those thermal heating packs under your tank so at least there would be SOME heat source.

 

[blackcloudmedia]

Hmm theres GOT to be a setup to prevent death in case of power loss. I will make this my continuing mission lol.

 

[CTurtleGirl]

I have some pelxi glass lids that go with my 100 gal african tank. Next time I'll put those on to help keep in the heat. Theres supposed the be another storm tonight with cold the next few days. Its already windy with lots of hail right now. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

CTG

 

[blackcloudmedia]

Eurika! Ive got it!!!! This may yet be the most ghetto thing Ive devise ever but it may work. Ill have to test it tonight. Basically you can mod a box to sit on the rim of the tank. There will be two heavy wires or pieces of metal (reef safe metal) that insert into the tank water. The other ends will sit in the box right over a simple candle. As the candle (those small ones used in luminary bags at christmas) heats the wires the wires will heat the water. Its not much but with proper insulation its at least SOME source of heat. Maybe someone can improvize upon my plan.

 

[trido]

You seem to be for getting that O2 levels are usually the first concern in a reef tank during power outages. The corals will usually sufocate before they die from the cold. I tend to doubt that two wires and a candle would do much for my 165 gallon system here in Seattle when you consider a 250 watt heater couldnt keep up. Nice try though.

 

[blackcloudmedia]

250 watt couldnt keep up? Wow. YOuve got some serious heat loss. WHat kind of evaporation are you getting? I wasnt worried about deviseing a way to increase O2 without electricity since they already have something for that, its called battery operated air stones lol.

 

[blackcloudmedia]

Of course you could always boil saltwater with sterno and keep adding it to the tank, and for oxygen you could swish your hand around in the water.

 

[trido]

250 watt couldnt keep up? Wow. YOuve got some serious heat loss. WHat kind of evaporation are you getting? I wasnt worried about deviseing a way to increase O2 without electricity since they already have something for that, its called battery operated air stones lol.

In Seattle the temperatures are around the 40s and 50s for most of the winter. When the power goes out my house gets REAL cold. I have already devised a way of heating and circulating my tank without electricity as posted above. Its called a power inverter. If you are spending thousands on a reef tank why not skip buying one coral or a fish and save rest by simply planning ahead on a major scale instead of using candles or depending on a couple small batteries. :wink:

 

[Julius]

trido, can u post a link to the type of back up power supply u have?

 

[trido]

trido, can u post a link to the type of back up power supply u have?

I have the 800 watt inverter. It ran MY 120 and my 30 just fine.

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList ... +Converter