Generator Recommendations?

[Alaeriel]

Hello!
We're looking into getting a generator when we move next year and set up the 200 gallon tank we have. I know very little about generators or how much power it takes to run a tank that large. Currently, I have a two day old 20 gallon tank with live sand and dry rock, so experience is completely lacking in general. We live in Minnesota, so summer storms and snowy winters typically make the power flicker or go out completely at least once or twice a year. If we're going to invest this much in a tank, why not spend the next year and a half saving for a life support system, just in case?
Thanks all for your advice and experiences!

 

[KStatefan]

Portable Generator

Honda or Yamaha

Whole-house Generator

Generac or Kohler

 

[Alaeriel]

Portable Generator

Honda or Yamaha

Whole-house Generator

Generac or Kohler

But what sizes? How much wattage does it take to run a tank that big?

 

[KStatefan]

But what sizes? How much wattage does it take to run a tank that big?

What all do you want to run on the generator. Add it all up then look at something that is 125% or so of that number.

 

[ca1ore]

Most tanks will be managed easily with a 5K portable, but will somebody be home to turn it on. When I travelled a lot for work, I always worried about that so I bought a 20K standby.

 

[Kongar]

Portable Generator

Honda or Yamaha

Whole-house Generator

Generac or Kohler

This guy knows his stuff. I wouldn’t buy a generator just for the tank, why not buy one big enough to drive your entire house? You don’t have to spend a fortune on a generator - the portable generac ones are fairly inexpensive albeit a bit loud. The Honda ones are great but pricier.

I bought the 7500 portable generac and had an electrician wire a manual switch plate into my breaker box which simultaneously disconnects me from the street and back feeds from my generator. The generator is kept outside in a Rubbermaid kids bicycle shed to protect it from the elements - the the electrician wired the plug right there. All in, including electrician cost was a grand. It’s not automatic, not propane, not fancy in any way - but that 7500 generac can almost power my entire house.

Here’s how it all works. In the fall, I buy and store gas in 5 gallon containers in my shed. Power goes out, I flip the manual switch plate in my breaker box, plug in the generator, give it a start, and power resumes. I test run the generator quarterly, and make sure it’s battery (for starting) is charged. I change oil and perform maintenance once a year. Whatever gas I don’t use gets used in the spring summer with my lawn mowers and tools.

IMO every house should have at least a portable generator between 5000 and 7500. Get an electrician to hook it up to your breaker box and you’re good to go. Keeping your reef tank going is a benefit, but so is having electricity during a blizzard.

 

[deahttub]

I wouldnt buy a generater that isnt an inverter as well. Living in florida, lots of people fry their fridges because the big 5500 generators dont put out ‘clean’ power...

 

[Alaeriel]

I wouldnt buy a generater that isnt an inverter as well. Living in florida, lots of people fry their fridges because the big 5500 generators dont put out ‘clean’ power...

Thats good to know as well!

 

[Trivan]

Kolher or Cummins would be my choice for whole house. I’m on a Kolher, get about 2 weeks a year use on it.
Not sure if it’s still an issue, but there was issues I heard/ saw on utube of Generaics having its air intake freezing on cold set ups. Years ago they did have some realibity issues but have heard mostly positive things recently.
Portables - Honda period

 

[Brian_68]

Harbor Freight Predator 3500 inverter generator, less than half the price of a Honda and in my opinion just as good, and I did own both.

 

[dzfish17]

I use the honda 2k... I've had it for about 10 yrs and it can sit for a yr and still start up on the first pull. They are light weight, quiet and durable

 

[deahttub]

I use the honda 2k... I've had it for about 10 yrs and it can sit for a yr and still start up on the first pull. They are light weight, quiet and durable

i have the same one! Has saved my tank on a couple of occasions

 

[Pistondog]

The Honda 3k should work, assuming ambient doesn't get too cold. Heater is your biggest load, 1000 watts for 200g.
Extra to run the TV.
Hondas $$$, but quiet and clean power, easy on the electronics.

 

[rob taft]

If you own your house then spend the money and have a quality whole house generator professionally installed. I had an 18K installed 10 years ago and it has been a lifesaver. Automatic transfer, self testing and runs off my under ground propane tank. It will run everything in the house with the exception that it will only run one of the 2 AC plants. I live in a rural area of FL and lose power frequently not to mention the hurricanes which has caused my house to suffer power losses of 4 and 7 days respectively.

If you don't own the new home or are not going to be there long. Buy the Honda.

 

[siggy]

Check this out Have you thought about a battery backup? If you just want to cover the tank that's a clean dependable way to go.

Power Generation and Storage

This is a royalty-free image from Pixabay, courtesy of Boboshow. Current Extreme Weather is a Topic that is Hotly Debated What is not debated is that our lifestyles are dependent on the electricity that powers our lives and is essential to our vulnerable loved ones and the animals we keep...

www.reef2reef.com

How to Use Xantrex Statpower Xpower Powerpack 1500 A Beginners Guide

Discover the capability of Xantrex Statpower Xpower Powerpack 1500 with this informative blog post. This powerpack is an advanced energy storage solution with 1500W and 200A of peak output power. Learn more about the features and performance of this versatile product and find out why it is the...

xantrex.factoryoutletstore.com

This is on my wish list

 

[ReefBeta]

Portable Generator

Honda or Yamaha

Whole-house Generator

Generac or Kohler

What generator would you recommend that runs propane? I don't have a gas car, so I won't have gasoline readily around the house. Propane have unlimited shelf life, thus I think it will be better fuel choice for me. But Honda don't seem to have a model that do propane.

 

[Alaeriel]

I'm hoping that when we get the house next year, we'll have a whole house generator installed. They don't seem to be tremendously expensive for what they are

 

[KStatefan]

What generator would you recommend that runs propane? I don't have a gas car, so I won't have gasoline readily around the house. Propane have unlimited shelf life, thus I think it will be better fuel choice for me. But Honda don't seem to have a model that do propane.

I do not know about portables that use propane.

 

[BackToTheReef]

What generator would you recommend that runs propane? I don't have a gas car, so I won't have gasoline readily around the house. Propane have unlimited shelf life, thus I think it will be better fuel choice for me. But Honda don't seem to have a model that do propane.

Champion has some dual fuel models that run on propane. Smaller to larger, want to say 7k at the top as far as portables go.

 

[Brian_68]

I do not know about portables that use propane.

Champion sells ones that are dual fuel. https://www.championpowerequipment.com/product/100263-3400-watt-dual-fuel-inverter/