What Equipment Do You Keep Backups Of?

nickkohrn · Oct 24, 2019

There’s a lot of fantastic ideas in this thread.

I should pick up a couple of AC-powered pumps. I have an EcoTech battery backup for my VorTechs, and I do have a power inverter for my vehicle should I need to run a heater or fan in Ohio’s extreme weather conditions.

I know that this topic has been discussed many times in the past, but I’m thankful for all of the responses that have been provided as newer hobbyists may come across this sooner than older threads.

Reefmon · Oct 24, 2019

I have a spare return pump sitting around just in case. Been thinking about installing two return pumps just in case one goes out, the tank will continue to run without skipping a beat

Bruce60 · Oct 24, 2019

I have a spare return pump. Thought about a heater, but I have a LFS where I can get a heater any day of the week. As already stated, most everything else can wait a day for overnight shipping.

Crabs McJones · Oct 24, 2019

Return pump
Heater
Spare tank in the event of a leak or break

C. Eymann · Oct 24, 2019

Return pump for back up was a mag 1200 I used in my saltwater mixing brute trashcan.

If one of my vortech mp40s were to ho bad I have a Tunze 6101 modified with a 6201 nozzle/suction housing and a 24v fuse in the power supply, Thanks @rvitko !

I used to have a generator to make it through ice/snow storms when I lived in Kansas city, I sold it before moving to FL though, I need to invest in battery backups for my new tank

jay06705 · Oct 24, 2019

Extra pump, heater and protein skimmer.

Rich Klein · Oct 24, 2019

All equipment except my main and fuge lights.

Ines Gonzalez · Oct 24, 2019

I keep a return pump, heater, many PC's coolers (where I live is very hot, so that's a cheaper alternative to a spare chiller), ATO Pump, power heads and sea salt and RODI water.

symon_say · Oct 24, 2019

I use to have a return pump backup, but now I run dual pump, it gives more peace of mind, cause if one pump fail the other keep doing the work, and I can replace it without a hurry.

Specially that pump like to fail when you're out of town, and now to help.

I try to have redundancy in every vital aspect of the tank.

aqua_code · Oct 24, 2019

return pump. Heaters you can usually buy, but is almost impossible to find a good price on a return pump in a retail store.

tony'stank · Oct 25, 2019

An Eheim 1262 as a SW mixing and return pump backup, heater, two ecotech batteries, 4 battery powered air pumps

K7BMG · Oct 25, 2019

I have several heaters, cheap power heads, generator.
Multiple running tanks so if one leaks I can transfer livestock.
Several backup means of testing the water column.

Backup lighting to me is not a big deal, way to expensive to keep redundant fixtures or lamps, lets face it in the real world sunlight is often blocked for days at a time during storms, fog and other natural occurrences. I have even considered maybe once a month or so turning off the lighting for a day or two.

I have upgraded some equipment, obviously that provides back up equipment.
Always have plumbing parts and valves on hand.

I have a RO/DI and salt water mixing station that has two 150G storage tanks, one for fresh RO/DI and the other for mixed saltwater.

nickkohrn · Oct 25, 2019

K7BMG said:
Always have plumbing parts and valves on hand

I didn’t think of having spare plumbing. Thanks for the good idea.

RamsReef · Oct 26, 2019

Main pump
Heater
Fx-stp (calcium reactor pump)

I should get more... maybe an apex head unit, as I bricked one earlier during the firmware update and it took me all night to get it going again. Was not a good feeling.

azbigjohn · Oct 26, 2019

I feel almost ill prepared reading some of these posts.

I have a 210 gallon tank. I keep a spare return pump, a spare MJ1200 (to run whatever may need it) and a spare fan (I use 3 clip on fans over my tank for cooling.)

Other than that, and a couple of battery powered air pumps, I have no other extra equipment on standby.

nickkohrn · Oct 26, 2019

azbigjohn said:
I feel almost ill prepared reading some of these posts.

I have a 210 gallon tank. I keep a spare return pump, a spare MJ1200 (to run whatever may need it) and a spare fan (I use 3 clip on fans over my tank for cooling.)

Other than that, and a couple of battery powered air pumps, I have no other extra equipment on standby.

Having spares of anything is better than having none.

I was hoping that this post would provide hobbyists with some helpful information, insights, and experiences.

Dkeller_nc · Oct 26, 2019

nickkohrn said:
There’s a lot of fantastic ideas in this thread.

I should pick up a couple of AC-powered pumps. I have an EcoTech battery backup for my VorTechs, and I do have a power inverter for my vehicle should I need to run a heater or fan in Ohio’s extreme weather conditions.

I know that this topic has been discussed many times in the past, but I’m thankful for all of the responses that have been provided as newer hobbyists may come across this sooner than older threads.

I'd still recommend a generator. I have battery backups for the 3-8 hour types of power interruptions where tank temperature really isn't a big deal. However, here in NC there have been multiple instances of more than 4 days without power caused by hurricanes/ice storms, etc... While an inverter running off of a (running) car is extremely useful in a pinch, it's not a lot of help in a multi-day power outage. Especially since a running car is a potential invitation to theft.

Generators come in all shapes and sizes, and a small Honda generator like the EU2200i is more than enough to power even the largest tanks. And there are cheaper, off-brand options of these small portables as well. They tend to be a bit louder and less fuel efficient, but they get the job done.

nickkohrn · Oct 26, 2019

Dkeller_nc said:
I'd still recommend a generator. I have battery backups for the 3-8 hour types of power interruptions where tank temperature really isn't a big deal. However, here in NC there have been multiple instances of more than 4 days without power caused by hurricanes/ice storms, etc... While an inverter running off of a (running) car is extremely useful in a pinch, it's not a lot of help in a multi-day power outage. Especially since a running car is a potential invitation to theft.

Generators come in all shapes and sizes, and a small Honda generator like the EU2200i is more than enough to power even the largest tanks. And there are cheaper, off-brand options of these small portables as well. They tend to be a bit louder and less fuel efficient, but they get the job done.

I’m definitely looking at generators. The challenge of apartment-living is living within some restrictions and rules. I’m going to purchase a generator, regardless, but I don’t want something that will draw a lot of attention from our property management. I’m okay with some attention.

Dkeller_nc · Oct 26, 2019

Yeah, not "poking the bear" is probably a good idea. Although if you get something like the little Honda generators, and presuming that you've a porch or balcony that ensures that exhaust gases don't get into the building, I'd guess your apartment management would have other fish to fry in a sustained power outage caused by an ice storm or other natural disaster.

tehmadreefer · Oct 26, 2019

With Amazon next day delivery and two day delivery, no need for spare anything. Though I do have an extra return pump that is used for water changes. I don't use or need as heater. And I of course have a large genny being in south Florida.