canadianeh
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How many of people here use battery back up such as Ecotech for their reef tank? Is it a must have?
who uses battery back up?
- Thread starter canadianeh
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KingTideCorals
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I have an Ecotech battery back up.. you can get a far cheaper method than this product that performs the same function
I will say though that having any kind of battery back up is a really solid form of secondary power in case of any kind of emergency! I highly recommend it!
Cwentz758
Do you even Reef bro?
The ups won’t last you very long. BRS did a great video on UPS’s.
I believe the drawback with UPS is the power conversion from the DC battery in the UPS to AC powering your pumps that eats up a lot of your juice in the UPS.
RobB'z Reef
2500 Club Member
I think it's a safe investment once your tank gets to a certain point. Risk tolerance, your particular geographic location etc all factor in. It's far from necessary but like others mentioned once you've got that threshold of thousands into your livestock the insurance starts to look better and better.
I didn't get one right away but my tank is maturing and I'm now taking steps. If you can afford it, a generator is a great option. From there back up batteries work too. Echo techs back up are over priced outdated lead acid batteries with a 3 year life span on average. But that's just my personal view. They do work and are a legit option as well. Look into building your own cheaper and better with LifePo4 technology that will last you ten years is also an option if you're a diy enthusiast.
I didn't get one right away but my tank is maturing and I'm now taking steps. If you can afford it, a generator is a great option. From there back up batteries work too. Echo techs back up are over priced outdated lead acid batteries with a 3 year life span on average. But that's just my personal view. They do work and are a legit option as well. Look into building your own cheaper and better with LifePo4 technology that will last you ten years is also an option if you're a diy enthusiast.
CMMorgan
Counting my blessings...
The Sicce Xstream SDC wavemakers have the capability to keep 3 specific rechargeable batteries charged up and ready to go. I got mine at Batteries and Bulbs Plus, with the holder from Amazon. They say it will run for 5 hours. I have not had an opportunity to see if it will work yet or not. I may do a dry run soon by cutting the breaker. (I live in Florida, so it's a matter of when - not if in hurricane season.)
We also have a generator in the garage and we always have gas at the ready when there is a storm alert.
Ultimately, I'd love to get one of the solar generators for the tank. No fumes, no fuel. That would do well after the storm if the grid is down for any extended period of time. I just need batteries to last long enough for the storm to pass and the sun to shine.
We also have a generator in the garage and we always have gas at the ready when there is a storm alert.
Ultimately, I'd love to get one of the solar generators for the tank. No fumes, no fuel. That would do well after the storm if the grid is down for any extended period of time. I just need batteries to last long enough for the storm to pass and the sun to shine.
olonmv
Valuable Member
I’ve been harping on these things since I discovered their existence. You’re in Florida... hurricane alley, just food for thought. I’m a baby and require central air to survive. There is a device called a soft start that installs to your condenser unit that allows it to be powered on by a portable generator. No lie. Just thought I’d tell a fellow hurricane buddy. Texas coast ova here.
CMMorgan
Counting my blessings...
CMMorgan
Counting my blessings...
My husband is a baby, too. He has a portable AC that he connects to the portable generator and barricades himself in the bedroom with his little AC and minifridge. I'm good with a fan.
What is this magical device called that you speak of ... I may need to look into it. We got a Cat 1 this week. It was a total non-event but it's just a reminder of what is to come.
olonmv
Valuable Member
Lol, I completely get him. Worse part is, I grew up poor with no central air. I should be ok with the heat but nooooooo, someone introduced me to the ac drug lol. Anyway it’s called a soft start, there are several manufacturers but the one I got is called micro-air. I was extremely skeptical (being a 20 year commercial electrician) since I had never heard of them but to my surprise they do what they say.....bring LRA down to a manageable level to where a properly sized generator can fire it on. My jaw dropped first time I tried it. Now I just gotta convert my generator to natural gas and I’m set! I’ll link the site.
CMMorgan
Counting my blessings...
This is very cool. It makes total sense to hook a generator directly to your main panel. I just watched the videos. Alas, my panel is completely full. I maxed out when I added the circuits for the tank. LOL Cool stuff - next house.Lol, I completely get him. Worse part is, I grew up poor with no central air. I should be ok with the heat but nooooooo, someone introduced me to the ac drug lol. Anyway it’s called a soft start, there are several manufacturers but the one I got is called micro-air. I was extremely skeptical (being a 20 year commercial electrician) since I had never heard of them but to my surprise they do what they say.....bring LRA down to a manageable level to where a properly sized generator can fire it on. My jaw dropped first time I tried it. Now I just gotta convert my generator to natural gas and I’m set! I’ll link the site.
