What Equipment Do You Keep Backups Of?

[BeachBumm]

I don't currently have any backup equipment, though the only thing that I should or would have is a backup return. If my return ever went out my main tank would not suffer too much because I still have flow in the tank, but the sump would be a problem having to wait a couple days for a replacement. One of these days I will get a backup return just in case something happens in the futur

With the winter months approaching Ohio, I have been slowly accumulating backups of equipment that I feel are important. This began a few weeks ago when the low-water-level sensor on my Neptune Systems ATK failed as well as the PMUP; both were first-generation products, and I replaced them with second-generation models.

With that said, I'd like to share a list of equipment that I currently have on standby for emergency situations or when performing general maintenance:

Pumps

• Neptune Systems COR-15
  • Used for mixing saltwater and as a replacement when cleaning my primary pump
• PMUP
  • Used as a backup for my automatic top-off pump
• Utility Pumps
  • GFO reactor
  • Miscellaneous mixing
• EcoTech Marine VorTech Pumps
  • I am currently running four MP40s on my 3'x2'x2' tank,
    • Provides more than adequate flow - two pumps can fail and I will still be fine
• EcoTech Marine VorTech wet-sides

Temperature Control

• Heater
  • Multiple 200w heaters
    • Primary heater replacements
      • Annual replacements
      • Emergency replacements
  • Multiple 50w heaters
    • Dips
    • Acclimations
    • Travel

Sensors

• Optical Sensors
  • ATK
    • High-water-level sensor
    • Low-water-level sensor
  • Automatic top-off reservoir low-water-level sensor
  • Filter sock chamber overflow sensor
• Water Sensors
  • Floor
  • Sump

Aquariums

• Acrylic all-in-one
  • Used as quarantine system
  • On standby as emergency system if primary system has failure
• Multiple standard aquariums for miscellaneous uses

Lights

• EcoTech Marine Radions
  • I am currently running four XR15s over my 3'x2'x2' tank
    • Provides more than adequate light - two lights can fail and I will still be fine

Miscellaneous

• GFCI outlet adapters
• Extension cords
• Spare reagents
  • Used within expiration

The following are items that are on my list to purchase as backups for equipment that I currently have:

• Apex
  • Base unit
    • Pre-load with current Apex profile so that my primary unit can easily be replaced
  • EB832
  • Probes

I realize that purchasing primary equipment is expensive in this hobby, and it can often be challenging to justify and/or afford. Adding backup equipment to the list makes it even more difficult. Luckily enough, I have been provided an opportunity that helps me purchase equipment at a rate that I would not be able to do otherwise. I have decided to start putting those funds toward backup equipment because I was made aware that equipment failures are real and the effects can be easily minimized or eliminated altogether if I am prepared.

I believe that we can be successful without backups, and I believe that we can be successful without half of the equipment that we typically install on our systems. But, if you possess a passion for technology in the hobby, just as I do, it becomes easier, and often fun, to load up on electronic and mechanical items that can, and will, fail in the future. My growing stock of backup equipment has a simple purpose, which is to minimize, and possibly eliminate, negative effects that can be caused by failures of the primary equipment. Sure, more equipment means more points of failure, but the reliance that I have on some of it helps me spend more time with my family and prevents a lot of the maintenance from feeling like a chore after a long day/week of work.

So, I want to know what you keep backups of, if you keep backups of anything. What caused you to purchase backup equipment? Were you simply thinking about the possibility of future failures, or did you encounter one?

This ! I only have a backup return pump , not quite as powerful as what I am running but will keep the water flowing . May get another one of those DC adjustable pumps if I find a deal on one !

 

[Tastee]

I have a single 65g tank. Heaters - 2 in place for redundancy +1 spare in cupboard. Return pump. Dosing head (I dose 3 part via 2x DOS so have a spare head). Plenty of plumbing odds and ends and flexible hosing. Filter socks. Lots of salt on hand. Plenty of RO water. UPS to run tank for ~4 hours during outage. Lots of Apex alerts. 10g QT setup and ready to run at 2 hours notice.

No backup for Chiller, Skimmer, Apex, ATO. These are non-critical and have workarounds if needed. E.g. run house aircon 24x7 if it is hot, manually fill 8L gravity fed ATO daily, change in 100 micron socks instead of 225 micron filter mesh if skimmer fails and can’t be replaced in a few days.

 

[SuncrestReef]

I have a pretty extensive disaster recovery plan for my Reefer XL 425, which includes spare parts but also plans for extended power failures:

• Whole-house 22kw Generac generator powered by natural gas, with automatic transfer switch
• UPS battery backup to keep equipment running for the 30 - 45 seconds before the generator starts up
• Backup copy of Apex configuration, saved locally and in cloud storage
• Spare Apex 2016 controller with backup configuration pre-loaded
• Spare EB832
• Spare heater
• Spare light
• Spare COR20 return pump
• Spare powerhead
• Spare FMM module
• Spare PMUP
• Spare optical sensor
• Spare float switch
• At least 30 gallons of saltwater at all times
• At least 30 gallons of RO/DI water at all times

 

[mefisto]

Primary equipment to survive a few days:
- return pump
- skimmer
- streamers
- dosing pump

 

[Greg P]

I've been collecting spare 'everything' over the years; either on sale or being discontinued and cheap enough. I've even bought some used stuff as spare parts, but my return, skimmer and ATO pump spares are new.
The only thing I don't have a duplicate of is my ATI Powermodule fixture, but I have a spare ballast and cooling fans for it.

Another thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is a venturi for a skimmer. I have a spare and swap it weekly while keeping the other in a jar of vinegar. No overflows here from calcium buildup.

The essence of this thread is spare parts as backup, ya? So I feel this is relevant;
I have a furnace thermostat I installed on our gas fireplace with a 12v relay. During a power outage it turns on the fireplace automatically, and off again when power is restored. The fireplace is across the room from the DT, so it's technically a spare heater The thermostat is beside the tank and is set to not overheat the room.

 

[Iván Olalla]

return pumps, fans, heaters and in my case tropic marin salt since in Mexico is not the most common brand

 

[biecacka]

I don’t have back up equipment. But my return pump (dart) started leaking a few weeks ago and the seals I had on hand didn’t fit. So I ordered some, took 5 days, asked my LFS to help me put them on and he did then they popped loose and he got sick. So a few more days and he got them on and I let it sit for 2 days. Working fine but was about 14-20 days with no pump. I’ll be ordering a new one for backup real soon....


corey

 

[flsalty]

I've never had specific backup equipment, unless you count running two heaters. I do have some assorted odds and ends in storage.

 

[Bastray]

Use my back up return pump to mix my saltwater. Outside of that I have a ton of fish tank stuff in my garage, unfortunately none of it is probably worth having in my garage... I’ll clean it one day. lol