IT'S STILL SNOWING!!

[Auquanut]

Somewhere between 18 and 20 inches. Parts of our small town are without power. Luckily we still have power, but I don't yet have a generator. Gonna fix that soon. I have a fireplace, so I should be able to maintain a fairly decent temp short term. Problem is that I have 5 fresh water and 2 saltwater reef tanks. Any idea what would absolutely need to be run and how to manage it? All of my tanks are in the basement "Man Cave" and within about 30 feet from each other and I could place the generator in a covered area within 75 feet from the furthest tank. Should have thought about this long ago.

Thanks
Don

 

[Tankzombie]

You need a generator hooked up to your electrical panel so you can run all your tanks would be the best way

 

[geddavis]

I’d run a heater return pump and a large air pump or power head. For the short term heat the water and oxygenatoin is number one. If you have no genorator stir the tank with something to oxogenate it manually every hour and do whatever you can to heat it. I have heard story’s of people using blankets to insulate their tanks.

 

[Matt Carden]

Heater and powerheads

 

[Ling_Thing]

Where are you located

 

[andrewkw]

If you get a decent sized generator and a couple of extension cords you should be able to run everything without incident. You may want to get a few more and run your fridge / freezer / tv or whatever else if you are expecting a long outage. When I first moved to my rural location I was going to get a transfer switch installed but it's $1500 to get it done so I've just run extension cords throughout the house. It's a bit of a pain but for the couple power failures a year $100 in extension cords vs $1500 to get the switch installed I feel like I'm ahead.

 

[Auquanut]

Mid Missouri. Thinking that if I connected a generator to the CB panel, turn off all unnecessary circuit breakers, and unplug non essential equipment (lights, skimmer, etc...) I should do alright. How do I connect to the CB panel?

 

[Tankzombie]

Depending on output of generator and type of panel you have I can give you some links if you let me know

 

[Auquanut]

I'll have to figure out how many amps I'll need to pull for the output of the generator. This is my panel.

 

[Breadman03]

Mid Missouri. Thinking that if I connected a generator to the CB panel, turn off all unnecessary circuit breakers, and unplug non essential equipment (lights, skimmer, etc...) I should do alright. How do I connect to the CB panel?

You need a transfer switch to connect to the breaker panel. It allows you to source power from only the pole or only the generator, which ensures that the power from your generator doesn't make its way to the street and juice a utility worker.

I've got a 2,000 watt generator and it will run everything I need for a power outage, though I might eventually get one big enough to run my stove. One factor I consider is how much do I NEED to run at a given time vs. how much fuel do I want to source.

 

[Tankzombie]

You need a new panel that’s one of the worst ones out there federal pacific stabloc the breakers are know for not tripping at all I have personally seen it never trip on a direct short just sit there and arc.

 

[Brad Miller]

Hi don,
For now, just put the generator outside and run one or two extension cords with splitters or pigtails into your man cave with power strips.
Then just plug in heaters and pumps.

Next step would be planning a permanent solution if needed.

 

[Tankzombie]

You need a transfer switch to connect to the breaker panel. It allows you to source power from only the pole or only the generator, which ensures that the power from your generator doesn't make its way to the street and juice a utility worker.

I've got a 2,000 watt generator and it will run everything I need for a power outage, though I might eventually get one big enough to run my stove. One factor I consider is how much do I NEED to run at a given time vs. how much fuel do I want to source.

No need for a transfer switch unless you have the money. You can put in a generator interlock kit in most panels if there not too old with a outlet that your generator plugs into

 

[Hillbillyreefer]

The first thing you need is a transfer switch. They isolate your system from the grid. Without one your generator will energize back into the grid creating an extremely dangerous situation for the linemen doing repairs. My genset hooks up to the transfer switch and energizes the entire yard when in use.

 

[Auquanut]

My first thought was to plug essentials directly to a generator, but with 7 tanks distributed throughout the room, it might be better to go through the panel? Thinking about the rats nest of cords involved is starting to blow my mind. Tankzombie's post about my panel has me very nervous. Maybe I should consult an electrician. My wife is going to LOVE that.

 

[Tankzombie]

My first thought was to plug essentials directly to a generator, but with 7 tanks distributed throughout the room, it might be better to go through the panel? Thinking about the rats nest of cords involved is starting to blow my mind. Tankzombie's post about my panel has me very nervous. Maybe I should consult an electrician. My wife is going to LOVE that.

Do some research on them panels. I would definitely be switching it out. Also if you do a service change you can have them install a generator interlock in panel with an outlet outside so you can just back feed your panel from your generator. Interlock is just like a transfer switch but a lot cheaper, any reputable electrician will be able to install and explain what you can and can’t run with the size of your generator you have

 

[Brad Miller]

If your not an electrician by trade, please hire one, your wife will still have you around that way

 

[Auquanut]

The weather report is calling for another storm next weekend. Could be even worse. Not going to get this done before then. By the way, it's still snowing. Over 48 hours now. I think it's pretty much done now.

 

[andrewkw]

The weather report is calling for another storm next weekend. Could be even worse. Not going to get this done before then. By the way, it's still snowing. Over 48 hours now. I think it's pretty much done now.

You can go buy a generator, 3 or 4 or 5 extension cords, a couple of gas cans and get them filled on your way home in 10 minutes longer then however long it takes you to drive to the store / gas station.

I have 4 tanks in 3 different rooms but I also power my fridge, freezer and tv in other rooms with extension cords when the power is out. It's a bit of a pain but I keep my power failure powerbars and extension cords in one box and they're good to go whenever the power is out.