Ups backup

[duckdodgers]

I’m looking to buy a ups backup for my tank. I was hoping for someone to guide me to a good one to get for a 220g reef tank

 

[CEReefer]

I have one, mainly for return pump and skimmer. Kind of difficult suggesting one without knowing how many Watts what you want to put on it drains.

The other issue is.. There is no way you can get an UPS big enough to support the whole system, especially heaters. You will be better off with a generator if that’s what you want.

 

[arturoo1977]

Usually you just backup a powerhead to keep water surface moving, even a return pump maybe too big (wattage speaking) for a decent UPS time backup.
You need to figure out minimum equipment to backup, get the watts they consume and select your UPS size depending on run time you want to get from it.
Usually UPS manufacturers provide a table or graph on run times @ different charges.

 

[duckdodgers]

I have a generator i just wanted to have this set just for a return pump and a wave maker

 

[CEReefer]

Good idea, are they AC or DC pumps?
If they are AC, once you find out the W that you need, you can use this calculator ( https://www.apc.com/shop/us/en/tools/ups_selector/home/load ) to figure out which UPS suits your needs.
If they are DC, then you have a little bit more options with a DIY battery backup, there is a build thread in the DIY section.

UPS brand-wise, I would mainly trust APC, but there are others in the market, just stay away from shady blackboxes, this is something that can easily create problems (failures, fires, ecc..)

 

[duckdodgers]

Thanks i have a dc pump for my return so i can easily set it to lowest setting for the power outage and i can look up the wattage for the wave pump

 

[sharpimage]

A UPS will run a wave pump for a surprisingly little amount of time. My UPS is limited to the smallest powerhead in the tank.

 

[CEReefer]

Thanks i have a dc pump for my return so i can easily set it to lowest setting for the power outage and i can look up the wattage for the wave pump

Unfortunately unless you are home 24/7, if you have a power outage the pump won't adjust itself to the lowest setting. Therefore I would buy something that can give me 30min, with the W at the highest setting + the W of the wave pump. By that time your generator should have kicked in.