Battery back ups, what are you using?!

[TD13]

I woke up this morning to an alert from my Apex that said at 2:49 am, the power went out. While this is NOT at all a frequent issue, I have too much invested in this tank to let a storm take it out. I'm looking for some advice on a BBU for my system. I would like to keep the heater and PHs rolling during an outage. I have 2 neptune WAVs and a Cobalt 200W heater. Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[MontereyDNA]

There are a few good high capacity battery back up solutions that are used in mission critical IT server rooms.

I personally have a tripplite http://www.tripplite.com/products/ups-systems~11?gclid=CNf405z0jswCFQYIaQod9a4P8g on my bio cube 29 and it conditions the power, provides surge protection and battery back up. I'd calc out my needs and just scale to the right solution estimating a 2-4 hour time to restore from utility... more if you're in hurricane or tornado prone area.

 

[Reef Junky150]

Ever considered just getting a generator? I set mine up to run the entire house. Can't use stove dryer or a/c but lights fridge tank tv etc all run fine during outages. More convenient than just the tank running during an outage.

 

[MontereyDNA]

The whole home diesel generator backup is the way to go if cost isn't an issue...

 

[TD13]

Cost IS an issue, I'd like to stay less than $300.

 

[pdt7361]

I have the APC 1500 with the external battery backup...so basically 2 battery backups strung together which gets me about 8 hours of battery....should cost you about $320.

 

[mrtian97]

I use the APC for computer, but only hooking up my 1 powerhead , which will last me 8 hrs . With heater may last 4 hrs

 

[Reef Junky150]

Cost IS an issue, I'd like to stay less than $300.

My generac generator was around 350 plus the cord from generator to the house another 30. But with the added convenience of running the house and tank is well worth it. No worries about food spoiling. Winter the furnace runs. Lights tv etc.

 

[MontereyDNA]

UPDATE: So, we've been adding corals cautiously to our BioCube29 and at present have roughly $400 of Palys, Zoas and LPS.

We had a major storm pass through and we lost power for the better part of 2 hours.

The TrippLite kicked in so fast that the digital clocks on our low cost lighting control didn't reset.

The battery ran for the entire outage, the lights, pumps and heater ran without interruption.

We feel pretty smart about now!

 

[reeferfoxx]

Can I ask which TrippLite UPS or battery backup you used, specifically(ie model number)? I just experienced a 3 hour outage after 10 years with no problems. Needless to say, my arms are tired from stirring 3 tanks.

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

Battery backup airpumps can be used as well for 20-30$. Otherwise next best would be a constantly running 5$ Chinese 80gph pump off amazon. Available in usb as well. So I've used my 18AH portable usb battery to power it, otherwise a computer UPS for 60-80$ would run the AC version for probably 8-10 hours.. (guessing a little on that math)