What do you do when your power goes out?

Joeganja · Jun 9, 2015

There's a lot of ways to give your tank power while a power outage occurs. I recently purchased a generator for my fish tank but the problem is it's too loud to turn on at night if an outage occurs. Anyone have any reccomendations?

kevinsmixed90 · Jun 9, 2015

kind of pricey upfront but I use a solar panel and batteries with a converter which runs everything during outages. I live in the rockies so outages are a given at 8,600 feet up. 3 12v. batteries hooked to the converter runs all night no problem

gar732 · Jun 9, 2015

Vortech on a battery backup. It saved my tank during two storms when I was without power for 4-5 days each storm. I had it hooked up to a dry cell car battery, it could run for a week before needing a charge. It'll kick in automatically, the gene is great but if you are not home to start it then it's worthless. The vortex can carry you until you get there or I'd bet it would carry you through the night until you can turn the gene back on.

BetURWrasse · Jun 9, 2015

I have a generator that runs on gas or propane for when I can get to it. Currently on my 30g I just have an APC with battery backup that will run my Gyre for 3 hours. Which gives me time after my apex alerts me of a power outage to hook up my generator.

For the 130 I will have a MP10 hooked to the ecotech battery backup and then I will have one of the gyres hooked to a marine battery that I will wire for backup. That will give me two immediate backups to run until I could connect the system to the generator if needed.

JFrar · Jun 9, 2015

I've been looking into this with battery back ups . Live in Florida where a bad storm can strike while at work..

d2mini · Jun 9, 2015

Battery backup for circulation pumps.

If it's gonna be more than several hours, I can pull the generator out of the shed.

www.everydayreef.com

vic67 · Jun 9, 2015

I have a propane generator for any power outages but it's loud. I have looked on youtube for "quiet boxes" to help quiet the generator but I haven't built anything yet.

redfishbluefish · Jun 9, 2015

They are costly, but Honda generators are pretty quiet when compared to all the Chinese manufactured ones from everybody else. FYI, I have a Chinese generator that sits a little under 100 feet from my house....just long enough for the 100 foot extension cords.

dormreefer · Jun 9, 2015

Going a long with costly standby generators are the best option here. If you have a truly expensive tank in a place like florida where storms are prevalent it may be worth it. Plus in all honesty, if you have an outage forget about the noise or what your neighbors think. Fish come first.

redfishbluefish · Jun 10, 2015

dormreefer said:
Going a long with costly standby generators are the best option here. If you have a truly expensive tank in a place like florida where storms are prevalent it may be worth it. Plus in all honesty, if you have an outage forget about the noise or what your neighbors think. Fish come first.

I can't agree more with this. We had a little storm come through NJ two years ago....called Sandy. I was without power for over seven days. My little $300 generator ran 24/7 to fully power my tank (everything...lights/pumps/heaters...the works), as well as my home boiler, television, refrigerator, and a couple lights. Without question, the best $300 I've spent for my tank. Likelihood is that I'll never use it again, but it sits out in its own little shed ready to go.

ddenora · Jun 10, 2015

good night sleep<keeping your tank alive!

MikeCizzle · Jun 10, 2015

Had a power outage for 3 days only in my block. The power company said they where repairing a Transformer and would have the power back within hours. Luckily I followed my gut feeling and bought a generator within the first hour and a half. Yes it was loud and yes I let it run all night but I ran my Reef tank,Refrigerator, lights, and Internet modem. Best investment for these situations.

Longnose Hawkfish · Jun 10, 2015

I have an electric battery that I use for my electric motor for fishing. I just use that to keep my circulation pumps on. Here in the valley we don't have anything long power outage for over a couple hours.

Paul B · Jun 10, 2015

I also have a generator but before that, I used my SCUBA tanks. I have a special regulator that I use for my airbrush that reduces the 3,000lbs in the tank to about 6 lbs for air stones. A SCUBA tank will last more than a day like that.

iReef86 · Jun 10, 2015

I get really mad and get my ladle and move the water in my nano.... for my 250, I might just have to get my kayak oar out...

I have an mp10 connected to a battery for back up when I set up the 250. That generally gives me enough time to get the generator out of the shed.... I plan on upgrading the house to a full size generator in the future... but that's down the road.....................

Betty1964 · Jun 10, 2015

Geez, I guess I do it really cheap: I just have a bunch of Hurricane battery operated air pumps.

N1Husker · Jun 10, 2015

I have a small Honda generator I fire up. It runs everything plus a heater and light for the house. I live in the country with tall pine trees all around and they have a tendency to bring down power lines all around when it gets just a little windy. The power company tries to keep the lines clear of any branches, but it is an uphill battle for them because there are so many. I live in western Washington state, lots and lots of trees.