Power out

[Jvesche20]

In my area there’s severe wind coming up this weekend. My parents think the power is going to go out. If this does happen I need to be prepared. I have a Total of 170 gallon system and I need to be ready. No I don’t have $800 laying around to buy a new generator. Any suggestions on what to do so my tank doesn’t crash?

 

[khushtram]

Pray [emoji120]

 

[theatrus]

#1 is water circulation to prevent oxygen depletion. #2 is temperature control.

If you are in a frequent power outage area, battery powered air pumps and air stones can be had. Stirring the tank manually is an option but humans needs sleep.

Temperature (heat) can be harder - but if you keep your house area at a reasonable temperature (ideally 70 or above) there won't be any lasting damage (colder is fine, compared to hotter).

If the outage is a few hours I do nothing. Thankfully I've never experienced more than an hour outage (underground local lines, no super severe weather)

 

[Evan28395950]

In my area there’s severe wind coming up this weekend. My parents think the power is going to go out. If this does happen I need to be prepared. I have a Total of 170 gallon system and I need to be ready. No I don’t have $800 laying around to buy a new generator. Any suggestions on what to do so my tank doesn’t crash?

What is the temperature forecast for the day you think it’ll go out?

 

[RamsReef]

As mentioned, airpumps both in sump and main tank, styrofoam hard board or similar to wrap the tank to keep it warm.

 

[Evan28395950]

I actually just bought one of these a week ago, you would have to buy a few of these to keep good ammount of oxygen in tank. Although I’m not sure they would ship to you in time for this weekend. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sile...MI1tDa2IbR4AIVA57ACh0zKQFoEAQYASABEgKoXPD_BwE
If you do need heat, go out to your local hardware store and buy hand warmers, if your tank gets too cold, tape some on the glass.

 

[JasonK84]

In my area there’s severe wind coming up this weekend. My parents think the power is going to go out. If this does happen I need to be prepared. I have a Total of 170 gallon system and I need to be ready. No I don’t have $800 laying around to buy a new generator. Any suggestions on what to do so my tank doesn’t crash?

You don’t need an $800 dollar generator just to power your return pump and heater.

Harbor Freight sells a 900 watt generator for about $100. Then you need gas and 2 cycle oil. A full tank should run for up to 6.5 hours depending on the output.
I picked one up a couple months ago and it still sits in the box waiting for the day it’s needed (hopefully never).

Another option is a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) that are made for home computers. I’ve got a cyber power 1500 and I got it off eBay for around $150. Only thing is it will only last about 2.5 hours and way less if trying to power a heater.

There are options that won’t cost $800.

Also mentioned above are the battery operated bubblers.

 

[lolgranny]

Definitely need oxygen and movement in the tank. Fish will die without it. 12hrs without it max in my experience. Im in a bad spot and lose power all the time.

Wish you were closer I’d let you borrow a generator.

 

[theatrus]

If you have Vortech power heads, they can be run from a 12V source - aka deep cycle lead acid battery. I’m figuring that’s not the case however.

 

[Reefltx]

During the last hurricane we had, I picked up a 2000w inverter generator for $400. It runs quiet and can power the my whole system and more!

 

[Tastee]

I run a CyberPower 1500 also on my 65g tank. Powering just my Apex, return, wavemaker and skimmer I get ~100 mins life. My Apex is programmed to switch to keep-alive mode after 30 mins, running 5 mins out of every 15, which stretches that to 5-6 hours total.

 

[Jvesche20]

#1 is water circulation to prevent oxygen depletion. #2 is temperature control.

If you are in a frequent power outage area, battery powered air pumps and air stones can be had. Stirring the tank manually is an option but humans needs sleep.

Temperature (heat) can be harder - but if you keep your house area at a reasonable temperature (ideally 70 or above) there won't be any lasting damage (colder is fine, compared to hotter).

If the outage is a few hours I do nothing. Thankfully I've never experienced more than an hour outage (underground local lines, no super severe weather)

Tank is in the basement. Usually kept at 72°. The area I live in doesn’t have power outs super often. I’ll have to pick some air pumps up. How many should I get for 170 gallons?

What is the temperature forecast for the day you think it’ll go out?

Temp low of 10 and high of mid 30’s

I actually just bought one of these a week ago, you would have to buy a few of these to keep good ammount of oxygen in tank. Although I’m not sure they would ship to you in time for this weekend. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sile...MI1tDa2IbR4AIVA57ACh0zKQFoEAQYASABEgKoXPD_BwE
If you do need heat, go out to your local hardware store and buy hand warmers, if your tank gets too cold, tape some on the glass.

good info I’ll check my lfs!

You don’t need an $800 dollar generator just to power your return pump and heater.

Harbor Freight sells a 900 watt generator for about $100. Then you need gas and 2 cycle oil. A full tank should run for up to 6.5 hours depending on the output.
I picked one up a couple months ago and it still sits in the box waiting for the day it’s needed (hopefully never).

Another option is a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) that are made for home computers. I’ve got a cyber power 1500 and I got it off eBay for around $150. Only thing is it will only last about 2.5 hours and way less if trying to power a heater.

There are options that won’t cost $800.

Also mentioned above are the battery operated bubblers.

Thank you I’ll go up to the store and see what I can do. Just hope it doesn’t go out

 

[Jvesche20]

I run a CyberPower 1500 also on my 65g tank. Powering just my Apex, return, wavemaker and skimmer I get ~100 mins life. My Apex is programmed to switch to keep-alive mode after 30 mins, running 5 mins out of every 15, which stretches that to 5-6 hours total.

I wish I had an apex. Gonna save over the summer for it. What do you mean cyber power 1500? That a PC?

 

[Retro Reefer]

You can get the battery powered air pumps at Walmart in the fishing section also pick up a couple sheets of foam from your local Lowe’s or Home Depot to cover all sides of tank which will help hold in heat.

 

[JasonK84]

I wish I had an apex. Gonna save over the summer for it. What do you mean cyber power 1500? That a PC?

Cyber power 1500 is a UPS. It’s a battery backup unit designed to keep computers running during power outages to allow the user time to save documents and get the system shut down properly. They also correct dirty power by keeping voltage highs and lows stabilized. They are pretty inefficient for use on tanks but buys you some time. 1500ah is the battery capacity and should provide 15 hours if your draw is 100 watts. My test gave me 2.5 hours with less than 80 watt draw. This is due to the power consumed by converting the 12volt DC batteries to 110v AC. They are designed for large amounts of power to be used within minutes not a trickle over numerous hours.

Still, 2.5 hours should get me through all but the most freak power outage. At least where I’m located.

 

[Sorcha2]

Suround your tank in sheets of that pink foam you can get from Lowes. That large of a volume of water will actually lose heat at a very slow rate if properly insulated.

 

[Indymann99]

I have an inverter and 2x deep cycle batteries. Running only my APEX, return pump, and 1 heater, I have gone 10hrs (power was out for 2hrs, but I left the batteries connected to see how long they would run). Powering my return pump provides water circulation in the DT (return outlets) and water flowing through the sump provides oxygenation.

 

[theatrus]

Cyber power 1500 is a UPS. It’s a battery backup unit designed to keep computers running during power outages to allow the user time to save documents and get the system shut down properly. They also correct dirty power by keeping voltage highs and lows stabilized. They are pretty inefficient for use on tanks but buys you some time. 1500ah is the battery capacity and should provide 15 hours if your draw is 100 watts. My test gave me 2.5 hours with less than 80 watt draw. This is due to the power consumed by converting the 12volt DC batteries to 110v AC. They are designed for large amounts of power to be used within minutes not a trickle over numerous hours.

Still, 2.5 hours should get me through all but the most freak power outage. At least where I’m located.

The 1500 is 1500VA, not 1500Ah. The latter would be enormous, while the former just dictates maximum output reactive power. CyberPower doesn't list the battery size in their spec sheet, but I would expect somewhere in the 20-30Ah range (not much).

(Looks like aftermarket batteries are a pair of 7.5Ah https://www.batterysharks.com/Cyber...t-Batteries-p/cybpcp1500avrlcd_ups12-7_x2.htm )

 

[JasonK84]

The 1500 is 1500VA, not 1500Ah. The latter would be enormous, while the former just dictates maximum output reactive power. CyberPower doesn't list the battery size in their spec sheet, but I would expect somewhere in the 20-30Ah range (not much).

(Looks like aftermarket batteries are a pair of 7.5Ah https://www.batterysharks.com/Cyber...t-Batteries-p/cybpcp1500avrlcd_ups12-7_x2.htm )

You are correct. Either way it only runs my DC return pump at 50% for 2.5 hours. Any outage longer than that would need a different solution.

 

[JasonK84]

Here is a graph from the cyber power website that lists estimated run times based on output wattage. Running a heater on one of these will greatly reduce its run time.