What to do if you run out power

Dalmatia · Dec 19, 2013

Well looking around today and noticed this at home depot.200 GPH Solar Hybrid Fountain / Pond Pump Home Depot Canada
Wouldn't be a bad investment. I'm wondering about solar panels just for my tanks

eliramos · Dec 19, 2013

im actually wondering the same thing i live in florida myself and once i get my big tank going, im going to need something case of hurricanes!

RedReefer · Dec 19, 2013

That means its time to crank up the generator.

Dalmatia · Dec 19, 2013

RedReefer said:
That means its time yo crank up the generator.

Isn't it a pain to get gas in case of a hurricane or something? Light is still there, just not a lot of it? And I live in an apartment

sqcube4me · Dec 19, 2013

fill generator n keep 20 gallons of gas for back up .. hurricanes can take you out for 5 days ..

pickupman66 · Dec 19, 2013

5000 watt genny in the garage..

Rob&Gab · Dec 19, 2013

if no genny, be ready to stir your water every 15minutes and move the water around. had to do it for 4 hours last year thank go it was no more then that.

Dalmatia · Dec 19, 2013

Rob&Gab said:
if no genny, be ready to stir your water every 15minutes and move the water around. had to do it for 4 hours last year thank go it was no more then that.

Isn't it easier to get something solar powered or battery powered? Like I said I'm in an apartment, so generator is out of the question!!! Plus they are too noisy

neuwave · Dec 19, 2013

Also multiple battery powered air pumps. I have 4 on hand to split amongst the filter and tank. Kept my tank alive for a couple of days.

JMSKI333 · Dec 19, 2013

You could get a couple deep cell marine batteries with constant topping off performed by a battery tender and then plug it all into a power converter.

1x Large Marine deep cell battery $90-$120
12V Battery Tender $50
Power converter $35

I would say the above set up would keep your tank vitals going for a respectable amount of time.

I myself have been looking at a generator. Home depot has a Ridgid 3,600w generator with a Subaru motor for $499. According to my Apex, my tank uses 770watts or 7 amps of power when it is full throttle. It should be enough to keep my tank going, fridge, sump pump and furnace if needed.

trido · Dec 19, 2013

You can use a power inverter hooked up to a deep cell battery to run a powerhead and heater for a few hours. You can also buy a UPS that will get you by for a few hours as well. If you need to go days at a time a generator is your only option. I run half of my house on a 2000 watt Honda generator

JMSKI333 · Dec 19, 2013

trido said:
You can use a power inverter hooked up to a deep cell battery to run a powerhead and heater for a few hours. You can also buy a UPS that will get you by for a few hours as well. If you need to go days at a time a generator is your only option.

I like your thinking :wink:

Does anyone know if there is any issue with running equipment like Vortech pumps or our Lighting off of power sources like batteries and generators?

trido · Dec 20, 2013

I have my two Tunze's hooked up to a UPS currently. In some cases, cheap generators can make "dirty" electricity (dirty meaning it doesn't have a smooth sin wave) which if used long term might cause issues with sensitive electronics. But for most of what were doing it isnt an issue. If you have a large enough generator you can run your whole tank without issues. Most power inverters and Battery back ups aren't large enough to run your whole tank for very long. You really only need to worry about circulation and heat in any emergency. After the third day, then lighting becomes an issue.

chris.urbina.50 · Dec 21, 2013

Solar panel from Home Depot

turbo21 · Dec 21, 2013

I have a craftsman generator in the garage. And during power outages it runs the whole tank.

But I have never ran out of power I always seem to have enough. Haha

Sorry couldn't help myself

Shtiff1 · Dec 21, 2013

Dalmatia said:
Isn't it easier to get something solar powered or battery powered? Like I said I'm in an apartment, so generator is out of the question!!! Plus they are too noisy

You are going to need Alot of panels to power a pump