Generator size for several tanks

[Smoke-Town]

I'm looking for a backup generator. I have 6 tanks running.

80g sps and sump
150g lps and sump

45 msuhroom/nem aio
15 zoa/softy aio
15 gsp aio
55 qt and sump

The 4 smaller tanks combined are probably close to power draw of the 2 main systems.
What would you estimate I would need as far as generator size?

I might buy one of these to plug the sps system into since I'm about to build a new control cabinet and rewire everything. I could plug everything into this... but idk if this is safe to leave plugged in. I assume that 1650 watt overload should be way more then one tank would use. I'm guessing that 80g is running at just under 1,000 watts

 

[OfficeReefer]

Hello @Smoke-Town - I think there's several ways to do this. Whole home generators, electric car outputs, battery reserves or even solar. I myself have several options but day to day, I use large computer UPS that have networked abilities for control (like server systems).

The tank size is not that relevant, rather the pumps, lighting, etc. that needs to happen. Heaters and lighting are the big ones that come to mind. Something you might consider is a Sense system to put on your mains and Kasa smart plugs to measure their actual draw. I have an Apex system too but I don't use it for anything but water testing and power control these days.

 

[d2mini]

Remember that the only thing you really need to be concerned about is your return pumps and temp control (heaters/chillers). The tanks can go days without lighting if needed.

If you want to do it right, I'd either go whole-home or a portable with a transfer switch. Running extension cords for all those tank, plus whatever else you want to run in the house would be a major pain in the butt.

 

[OfficeReefer]

Remember that the only thing you really need to be concerned about is your return pumps and temp control (heaters/chillers). The tanks can go days without lighting if needed.

If you want to do it right, I'd either go whole-home or a portable with a transfer switch. Running extension cords for all those tank, plus whatever else you want to run in the house would be a major pain in the butt.

For real.

 

[Smoke-Town]

Yes I want to power the home with it but I don't have 10-15k this year for a permanent house unit. So I was thinking could I get away with a 4-5k running watt inverter champion generator with a transfer switch? That would probably be in the neighborhood of 1k. Much more reasonable for me for this year

 

[Smoke-Town]

Maybe the red or yellow one... never hear of powesmart but that price is very nice

 

[mdb_talon]

Yes I want to power the home with it but I don't have 10-15k this year for a permanent house unit. So I was thinking could I get away with a 4-5k running watt inverter champion generator with a transfer switch? That would probably be in the neighborhood of 1k. Much more reasonable for me for this year

That sounds like it should be plenty. That is a little more than the equivalent of two 15 amp circuits

 

[Smoke-Town]

I'm actually leaning towards this one. About the same price. Doesn't have dual fuel which I did want... seems to not bad available in generators with more than 5k watts... but this one has 5k running watts and the other had only 3500.. which would probably still have been fine... but I think this one gives the peace of mind that it won't get maxed out

 

[dmsc2fs]

Give this one a look. My generator failed on me during Hurricane Ian and I needed to find a new one. I had narrowed my choice down to a few options and one of them was an Cummins/Onan. After seeing this review: Cummins I was led to the Westinghouse. After a bit of reviews I decided to pick up this larger model Westinghouse. Ordered from Walmart, shipped directly from Westinghouse in 2 days.

I installed a transfer switch and because I went a bit larger in my generator I was able to connect up all 3 of my tanks as well as numerous house circuits.

 

[PigDaddyF15E]

Bottom line up front: If you go with a generator...check how much fuel it consumes in 24 hours...you might be surprised! I went pretty large and it says it'll go through five or six gallons every 12 hours. That's alot of gas cans to have sitting around if you plan to keep it running for a few days.

I went with a 7500KW. I have just a single 100G tank but I wanted to be able to run that tank and also appliances in the house (fridge).

Cost me $1000...and yes I'd have to run cords...but I look at it this way. If I'm using the generator then we've had some major problem (I live in FL...so hurricane) so I'm not worried about the cords...I need to keep my tank alive

 

[d2mini]

Bottom line up front: If you go with a generator...check how much fuel it consumes in 24 hours...you might be surprised! I went pretty large and it says it'll go through five or six gallons every 12 hours. That's alot of gas cans to have sitting around if you plan to keep it running for a few days.

I went with a 7500KW. I have just a single 100G tank but I wanted to be able to run that tank and also appliances in the house (fridge).

Cost me $1000...and yes I'd have to run cords...but I look at it this way. If I'm using the generator then we've had some major problem (I live in FL...so hurricane) so I'm not worried about the cords...I need to keep my tank alive

This is why we bit the bullet and went with the natural gas standby. We had no power for 17 days after Ike hit Houston. Having to go find gas every few days was a pain and ever since, having to anticipate a storm and getting gas beforehand, then not having a use for it afterward and trying to save it with fuel savers. And having to pull it out and do the maintenance and testing on it periodically. Then when you do need it, dragging it out and hoping it starts up. Running cords if you don't have the transfer swithc set up. Ugh. Going into more debt but never having to worry about any of that just seemed worth it.

 

[PigDaddyF15E]

This is why we bit the bullet and went with the natural gas standby.

I bought this as a stop gap. I'm going to get a GENERAC eventually...but it's most of the way to $10K IIRC...so it'll be a couple of years.

 

[doubleshot00]

You can find a lot of nice generators on facebook marketplace for cheap. I got a Firman 9400 on there brand new in the box for $500. Get the biggest you can afford thats ON WHEELS.

Also get your house breaker wired to accept the plug. Call an electrician and get a quote. A 30amp plug will probably be just fine (around $500-700) but if you have the extra cash get eh 50 amp ($1000+).

 

[mfinn]

I had a 6500 watt Generac for nearly 15 years and used it every year multiple times. It was electric start and we had a transfer switch wired into the house box.
We had about 1/2 the house fully wired up, including our hotwater tanks ( you cannot imagine how nice a hot shower is during a snow driven, extended power outage is).
After 15 years there were issues popping up with the Generac so I bought a new one 7-8 years ago. This time I got a Harbor Freight 8750 watt Predator. It's been used 4-5 times since. Works as it should.
The main thing to me is to get more generator than just the fish tank needs and enjoy some basic comforts and having the transfer switch.

 

[Jeeperz]

Hello @Smoke-Town - I think there's several ways to do this. Whole home generators, electric car outputs, battery reserves or even solar. I myself have several options but day to day, I use large computer UPS that have networked abilities for control (like server systems).

The tank size is not that relevant, rather the pumps, lighting, etc. that needs to happen. Heaters and lighting are the big ones that come to mind. Something you might consider is a Sense system to put on your mains and Kasa smart plugs to measure their actual draw. I have an Apex system too but I don't use it for anything but water testing and power control these days.

So, word of caution here. Whole home generators are not really all that, especially for "sensitive" electronics UNLESS you provide a whole house power conditioner. Generators are very, very dirty.

For what you list id get the largest Honda inverter offered and it should be good or go with a lare champion inverter.

Or get a good power conditioner to run with your generator