While away on vacation - almost lost my tank

[abossi2]

I am sharing this as a reminder to everyone about the importance of having backups in place for your reef tank.

Last Saturday, I left town to go to the beach for a week. I had lined up for my father-in-law to feed my tank (90 gallon reef) while we were gone. I had feed the fish heavily on Saturday before leaving, so I told him not to worry about coming over on Sunday to feed, he could just come on Monday. I had setup a webcam so that I could monitor my tank while we were away. Sunday morning I attempted to pull up my webcam and I couldn't get it to connect. We have a home alarm system and it had not notified me of a power outage (it will notify and log if the power goes out). Therefore, since it appeared my house still had electricity according to my alarm system, I just assumed my internet connection was down and my cable modem may need to be reset.

My father in law came to my house Monday morning to feed the fish and he found my tank totally still and dark. He immediately called me. We had some thunderstorms on Saturday night and apparently that tripped 3 of our breakers (1 of which was for our den which is where the tank is located). I estimate my tank had been without power for around 36 hours! Fortunately, I have an icecap battery backup on my return pump (DC pump) as well as another icecap battery on one of my Tunze circulation pumps. The icecap's no doubt kept my tank alive! Both batteries were dead by Monday morning, but probably had lasted until a few hours before my father in law arrived to feed the fish. Once he reset the breakers, my webcam came back on-line and I could see the tank. Once the lights came on the fish started appearing and fortunately all of the fish and my corals survived! The tank temp had dropped to 74 degrees - thank goodness it was a warm time of year.

Unfortunately - my story doesn't end there. Once power was restored, everything started up except my return pump. I talked him through trying several things... but no luck. I called my LFS and they had one of their service folks at my house within the hour! The service tech took the pump apart and cleaned out the detritus that had accumulated and it started back up just fine!

Here is the crazy thing - I had thought about cleaning all of my pumps a few days before heading out on vacation, but I have always heard not to do anything big to the tank right before leaving town. So I decided to wait until I got back home. It had been 6 months and I knew the return pump probably needed cleaning. I guess once it was without power and stopped moving for a few hours, the gunk settled and locked it up.

The 3 breakers in my house that tripped during the storm were all GFCI breakers. Our den breaker is a dual function GFCI/Arc Fault breaker (safest solution for an area with a aquarium).

Several lessons learned...
1) I should have planned further ahead and cleaned my pumps a week or so in advance of the trip
2) I need some form of power monitoring/alert at the aquarium itself (versus relying on my alarm system to notify me of power outages)
3) I shouldn't give my tank sitter a day off. I should have him come every day!

I am very thankful for the battery backups I had in place! Just wanted to share my close call experience in hopes that it will help others in the community!

If anyone has a good power monitor/alert system in place I would love to hear about it. I know a Neptune Apex could alert me - but not sure I am willing to spend that much.

 

[Mark Gray]

Invest in an Apex I am gone a lot I use and auto feeder and can see when everything is on except for my lights

 

[Leslie Tabor]

Holy moly this is so scary! So glad it all worked out well! I need to figure something out!

 

[bif24701]

Here is my power back up, capable with a single car battery providing >2 full days of backup power to my MP60 and a pump in the sump.

It's extremely simple by design, less potential points of failure.

The BatteryMINDER ensures the battery or batteries is perfectly charged and maintained 24/7. At power lose the MP60 controller automatically switches to backup power, input into the battery backup port on the controller via an Echotech battery backup cable (bought from their web site for ~6$).

I modified the cable so I could put each positive and negative lines of the cable onto the respective battery terminals (positive line is the one with the built in fuse).

This system is on standby 24/7 always ready and fully automatic. When power returns the BatteryMINDER begins to recharge the battery right away and since its self automatically maintained the battery all I have to do is check the voltage of the battery every month or so.

Tunze also sells a emergency power cable ~50$ that will allow you to do the same thing.

You can add up to 6 batteries connected in parallel to maintain 12VDC but have more run time with this model of BatteryMINDER for folks that need more.

This system is completely independent of a controller and will work with or without one.

If you want power monitoring and already have an APEX you can use the battery to supply the APEX with 12VDC straight from the battery to the APEX for back up power. This will keep the APEX powered and communicating via an Ethernet connection, then you just need a way to keep your internet up long enough to let the APEX send out alerts, a UPS on your internet modem/router will do that and BAM you have it!

Question?

As far as I know I've not seen a better battery backup system as far as run time, dependable, and versatile.

This system is literally your/my guardian Angel.

 

[bif24701]

Deep cycle batteries are ideal for this application, I got a really great deal on these Red Tops though. In fact I had two here but I needed on for my car one day and just never replaced it. I mean, 2 days of power.....

 

[Mark Gray]

Here is my power back up, capable with a single car battery providing >2 full days of backup power to my MP60 and a pump in the sump.

It's extremely simple by design, less potential points of failure.

The BatteryMINDER ensures the battery or batteries is perfectly charged and maintained 24/7. At power lose the MP60 controller automatically switches to backup power, input into the battery backup port on the controller via an Echotech battery backup cable (bought from their web site for ~6$).

I modified the cable so I could put each positive and negative lines of the cable onto the respective battery terminals (positive line is the one with the built in fuse).

This system is on standby 24/7 always ready and fully automatic. When power returns the BatteryMINDER begins to recharge the battery right away and since its self automatically maintained the battery all I have to do is check the voltage of the battery every month or so.

Tunze also sells a emergency power cable ~50$ that will allow you to do the same thing.

You can add up to 6 batteries connected in parallel to maintain 12VDC but have more run time with this model of BatteryMINDER for folks that need more.

This system is completely independent of a controller and will work with or without one.

If you want power monitoring and already have an APEX you can use the battery to supply the APEX with 12VDC straight from the battery to the APEX for back up power. This will keep the APEX powered and communicating via an Ethernet connection, then you just need a way to keep your internet up long enough to let the APEX send out alerts, a UPS on your internet modem/router will do that and BAM you have it!

Question?

As far as I know I've not seen a better battery backup system as far as run time, dependable, and versatile.

This system is literally your/my guardian Angel.

Cool I will have to look into this good Idea

 

[bif24701]

Cool I will have to look into this good Idea

Good luck.

No ready made system will give you the same run time for the cost this will. When compared to a Echotech battery they have 18 amp hours, a Red Top has 50 amp hours.

 

[pelphrey]

I use the APC 1500 battery backup which does not experience an interruption if the power fails. This will run my tank for 25-30 minutes.

Also have an apex. More importantly when we were in vacation a few weeks ago i setup a laptop with OBS streaming software and setup teamviewer on the laptop. I setup teamvieer for unattended access which means I can remote into it without it asking on the laptop for permission. Second I setup a webcam facing my tank with the sound turned up in OBS. Third I downloaded the teamviewer app on my phone. I could use my phone to remote into my laptop and view my tank. I left the stand doors open so I could see the sump.

 

[bif24701]

I use the APC 1500 battery backup which does not experience an interruption if the power fails. This will run my tank for 25-30 minutes.

Also have an apex. More importantly when we were in vacation a few weeks ago i setup a laptop with OBS streaming software and setup teamviewer on the laptop. I setup teamvieer for unattended access which means I can remote into it without it asking on the laptop for permission. Second I setup a webcam facing my tank with the sound turned up in OBS. Third I downloaded the teamviewer app on my phone. I could use my phone to remote into my laptop and view my tank. I left the stand doors open so I could see the sump.

That's pretty cool and will look into those things myself.

However what would you do during extended power outages?

 

[pelphrey]

That's pretty cool and will look into those things myself.

However what would you do during extended power outages?

Luckily I've been in this neighborhood for 5 years the out longest outage has been 5 minutes. Doesn't mean it can't happen because it will eventually. I work just a few minutes from home, if something happened I have someone here mon-fri to watch the kids. They would be my first responder, second is the apex. At that point I could remove equipment from the UPS to prolong running time. A generator is in my budget sometime this year, I could be home pretty quickly and get the generator running.

I also have family close by that could easily get a generator running if needed if we were away from the house on a weekend or vacation.!

 

[dactylo]

Here is my lifesaver. Very simple:

Battery charger/maintainer
Tunze safety connector 6105.500
AGM sealed acid Battery 18AH

The power supply DC plug goes into the Tunze connector. The DC plug from the Tunze connector goes into the pump controller.

The red cables from Charger and Tunze connector go to the (+) red on battery
The Black cables from Charger and Tunze connector go to the (-) black on the battery

I tested this power backup and it worked for 30+ hours on a Jebao WP40 pump in ELSE mode and it was discharged about 75%. Adding more batteries will multiply the operating time. Total cost was around $160. each additional battery should be around $40.

The pump will function at 12V (half power), but enough to keep circulation and oxygen concentration.
I also have an Apex controller that will let me know if there is a power failure.

 

[Reefltx]

I use the APC 1500 battery backup which does not experience an interruption if the power fails. This will run my tank for 25-30 minutes.

Also have an apex. More importantly when we were in vacation a few weeks ago i setup a laptop with OBS streaming software and setup teamviewer on the laptop. I setup teamvieer for unattended access which means I can remote into it without it asking on the laptop for permission. Second I setup a webcam facing my tank with the sound turned up in OBS. Third I downloaded the teamviewer app on my phone. I could use my phone to remote into my laptop and view my tank. I left the stand doors open so I could see the sump.

So do you hook up everything on the apc?
I have everything I need plugged into 2eb8.

 

[Marlon2024]

Here is my power back up, capable with a single car battery providing >2 full days of backup power to my MP60 and a pump in the sump.

It's extremely simple by design, less potential points of failure.

The BatteryMINDER ensures the battery or batteries is perfectly charged and maintained 24/7. At power lose the MP60 controller automatically switches to backup power, input into the battery backup port on the controller via an Echotech battery backup cable (bought from their web site for ~6$).

I modified the cable so I could put each positive and negative lines of the cable onto the respective battery terminals (positive line is the one with the built in fuse).

This system is on standby 24/7 always ready and fully automatic. When power returns the BatteryMINDER begins to recharge the battery right away and since its self automatically maintained the battery all I have to do is check the voltage of the battery every month or so.

Tunze also sells a emergency power cable ~50$ that will allow you to do the same thing.

You can add up to 6 batteries connected in parallel to maintain 12VDC but have more run time with this model of BatteryMINDER for folks that need more.

This system is completely independent of a controller and will work with or without one.

If you want power monitoring and already have an APEX you can use the battery to supply the APEX with 12VDC straight from the battery to the APEX for back up power. This will keep the APEX powered and communicating via an Ethernet connection, then you just need a way to keep your internet up long enough to let the APEX send out alerts, a UPS on your internet modem/router will do that and BAM you have it!

Question?

As far as I know I've not seen a better battery backup system as far as run time, dependable, and versatile.

This system is literally your/my guardian Angel.

Can you give a detailed run down of this

 

[Marlon2024]

How do you plug these batteries into an outlet for charging

 

[DJ Monty]

Following....

 

[bif24701]

Can you give a detailed run down of this

I think I'm going to create a detailed thread on this system. I've gotten a lot of questions about it and I think it's a super solution to the problem.

If you have any quick questios I can answer them.

I will post a link to my thread once it is created, hopefully by the end of the night.

 

[bif24701]

How do you plug these batteries into an outlet for charging

I use a BatteryMINDER model #2012

This BatteryMINDer features a state-of-the-art microprocessor controller, making it a true 5-stage, fully automatic Plug 'n' Run charger/maintainer/desulfator.

BatteryMINDer Charger-Desulfator - 12 Volt, AGM Batteries, Model# 2012-AGM https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005EKY20K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_D5XmzbBWS9GT9


The BatteryMINDER plugs into a standard outlet and then connects to the terminals of the battery. Once connected and plugged in there is no need to ever remove it because it is fully automatic.

 

[cmcoker]

Here is my lifesaver. Very simple:

Battery charger/maintainer
Tunze safety connector 6105.500
AGM sealed acid Battery 18AH

The power supply DC plug goes into the Tunze connector. The DC plug from the Tunze connector goes into the pump controller.

The red cables from Charger and Tunze connector go to the (+) red on battery
The Black cables from Charger and Tunze connector go to the (-) black on the battery

I tested this power backup and it worked for 30+ hours on a Jebao WP40 pump in ELSE mode and it was discharged about 75%. Adding more batteries will multiply the operating time. Total cost was around $160. each additional battery should be around $40.

The pump will function at 12V (half power), but enough to keep circulation and oxygen concentration.
I also have an Apex controller that will let me know if there is a power failure.

So the tunze connector will work on the Jebao pumps stock controller? I have been looking at the coral box battery backup, but if this is a viable option I would not mind spending more to get a better battery life.
I have 2 pp8 and waiting on a dct4000 in the mail, if I could use this on the return that would be awesome.

 

[Areseebee]

Here is my power back up, capable with a single car battery providing >2 full days of backup power to my MP60 and a pump in the sump.

It's extremely simple by design, less potential points of failure.

The BatteryMINDER ensures the battery or batteries is perfectly charged and maintained 24/7. At power lose the MP60 controller automatically switches to backup power, input into the battery backup port on the controller via an Echotech battery backup cable (bought from their web site for ~6$).

I modified the cable so I could put each positive and negative lines of the cable onto the respective battery terminals (positive line is the one with the built in fuse).

This system is on standby 24/7 always ready and fully automatic. When power returns the BatteryMINDER begins to recharge the battery right away and since its self automatically maintained the battery all I have to do is check the voltage of the battery every month or so.

Tunze also sells a emergency power cable ~50$ that will allow you to do the same thing.

You can add up to 6 batteries connected in parallel to maintain 12VDC but have more run time with this model of BatteryMINDER for folks that need more.

This system is completely independent of a controller and will work with or without one.

If you want power monitoring and already have an APEX you can use the battery to supply the APEX with 12VDC straight from the battery to the APEX for back up power. This will keep the APEX powered and communicating via an Ethernet connection, then you just need a way to keep your internet up long enough to let the APEX send out alerts, a UPS on your internet modem/router will do that and BAM you have it!

Question?

As far as I know I've not seen a better battery backup system as far as run time, dependable, and versatile.

This system is literally your/my guardian Angel.

So if I wanted to operate an apex hooked to this, does the battery minder just sit between the apex and the wall and keep it powered in case of interruption? Or do I need some other adapter? Also would the apex know if the power goes out in this case? I'm super interested in this.

 

[bif24701]

So if I wanted to operate an apex hooked to this, does the battery minder just sit between the apex and the wall and keep it powered in case of interruption? Or do I need some other adapter?
*************************************
The BatteryMINDER is connected to the battery. You will need a cable that plugs into the APEX 12VDC port and install eyelets to the other end then connect to the battery terminal.

***********************************



Also would the apex know if the power goes out in this case? I'm super interested in this.
*************************************
The APEX will register the lose of power to the EB8 as long as 12VDC is supplied to the APEX from the battery