Hybrid solar system for reef tank

[JohnIsNewToReefKeeping]

Hello!

Recently I moved to my new home and started my 75-gallon reef tank. I recently found out that in the summer it is common for the power to go out for a couple of minutes to hours. Aswell as I know the 75-gallon reef tank will cost a pretty penny to keep running in the years to come. So I have been recently tinkering the idea of having a hybrid solar system for my reef tank. My idea is to buy a couple of 250-watt solar panels, then buy enough batteries to run my return pump for around 2-6 days. But when the batteries are full I wanted somehow for the solar panels to be powering my reef tank, with the support of the grid when it was dark out or when there is no sun.

I am wondering if anyone has done this and if they could share how/what they did to achieve this.

Thank you for ready my post, have a great day.

 

[geddavis]

Interesting idea but it seems like just charging up those battery’s from the wall outlet would be cheaper, easer and more reliable.

 

[Taxus812]

I did a setup on a smaller scale. You want a solar controller. It will charge and manage the battery and also power a load. The load will draw from current from both the battery or the panel (whichever can provide it).

If you size it correctly you won’t need the grid. There links in my thread to help you size and understand solar.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/solar-generator-for-backup-power.621771/#post-6227839

 

[LARedstickreefer]

This will be far too expensive. Ditch the solar and either just keep some batteries charged or get a generator.

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

Agreed with above . If you have backup batteries it would be much more cost effective for a 75 gallons. You just need juice for the return pumps, and flow pumps if only down for few minutes to hours .

Corals will be fine if no lights for a few days

 

[LARedstickreefer]

Solar will never make sense over the utility unless the cost to extend service from the utility is enormous, or unavailable.

Ecotech has a backup battery that works with their power heads. I use one and it comes on, automatically, whenever the power is out. It’ll keep water moving in the tank for quite a awhile.

 

[JohnIsNewToReefKeeping]

Thank you for the great comments. I do agree that it might be too expensive and I should just buy a battery and hook it up to my apex if I ever lost power.