Why dont they have backup for heater!

[MattL22]

So I had my vortex back up for storm but once tank dipped below 70 degrees it was all over !! Why don't they make a heater back up even if it could just keep water above 72 degrees or so !
I'm guessing just eats to much power??

 

[MattL22]

All gone : (

But the most important thing is doing good

 

[cdrewferd]

You could use a battery backup designed for computers. A decent sized APC backup would last a while if all it was running was a heater.

And yes, as long as that little one is safe then all will be good in the end.

 

[MattL22]

I tried on to run my vortec once bought the biggest one at staples only ran vortec for about 20 min so I sealed it up real nice and returned it!

 

[shred5]

Most ups's sold at local stores would not keep a heater going for very long, they draw to much power at least not as long as the power was out in the east at this time of year anyway. Sorry for your losses.

 

[MattL22]

Wish they made one that lasted 2-3 days similar to vortec backups then someone like me who a generator is not an option could buy 2 of them charge one at friends or family who has power and swap out till u get power back

 

[zemuss]

Hmm would boiling RO water help? Let say you had a sterno or a gas grill, couldn't you boild the RO water and use it as a top off? Of course boil the water in a stainless steal pot.

I know its too late I am just brain storming here. Sorry for your loss of corals.

 

[returnofsid]

Unfortunately, in the situation a lot of you are enduring, no back up is going to last long enough to work. The only feasable option would be a generator, as long as you were able to keep it fueled.

I'm glad you made it through the storm safely and am very sorry to hear about your tank. I hope everything returns to normal for all of you, as soon as possible.

 

[OurReef]

Or heat gallon jugs and float them in the tank.

 

[MattL22]

Is it feasible to have a back up last 2-3 days because then u could buy 2 of them ! Might make it through or atleast give it a fighting chance

 

[MattL22]

As far as wrapping the tanks in blankets of bagging up hand warmers etc ... Way to temporary need something that last few days at least

 

[Exterminatank]

My efforts didn't work... Lol. I tried.


Mike

 

[fastbird]

Not a long term solution, but for shorter power outages i use an ac/dc inverter. Hook it to the car battery and run an extension cord inside. I can easily run the heater, power head and return pump. Automatically shuts off when the voltage drops and just start the car to recharge it. Even if it isn't run continuously, a few minutes every hour can make a difference, especially in regards to water temperature.

 

[Hyprviperx]

best thing for future use is to use a solar cell collector outside hooked up to a nice deep cell marine battery and you can use a dc/ac converter. a little complicated but a buddy of mine had done that before. heres a link to the site he used. www.rain.org/~philfear/how2solar.html

 

[MattL22]

Now this is what I'm talking about !
Will this be enough to power my heater and maybe lights for 2-3 hrs a day??
Can I buy one somewhere I'm not big DIY guy!

I only glanced at it on my phone this am but looks very interesting ill check into it more later!
Only issue what if its real cloudy as it normally is following a storm

 

[mcarroll]

DIY electrical projects can equal a fire, so don't shy away from calling an electrician to make something like this happen if you aren't confident in your electronics/wiring skill. It's smart!

Having said that, this is a pretty easy DIY project. If you get a mid-ranged* charger/controller/inverter (or seperates) at a big box store and pick up an appropriately sized** deep-cycle battery, you have a good start. When the power is out and you need to recharge, you have options to charge the battery at a neighbor's or gas station where the power is not out, or possibly hooking the battery up to solar for complete independence at least when the sun shines.

There's lots of info out there on what you're thinking about doing - a real deep-cycle battery*** battery will be the core of it. Here is a good link that explains the basics pretty clearly. (Even if you don't add solar, places that deal in solar will be great reasources.)

Also…sorry about your luck!

-Matt

* $50-100 or more would be a good target depending on what you want...cheaper than that isn't going to give you all the options you need
** rated in Amp-Hours....literally how many amps do you need for how many hours.
*** They are made with solid lead plates, designed to discharge down to mostly empty on every duty cycle...marine and car batteries are not the same, but could do in a pinch...durability (# of recharge cycles) will be the difference.

 

[mcarroll]

My efforts didn't work... Lol. I tried.


Mike

bummer! Without thermally sealing the top of the tank, it's going to be tough to do much good in the long term. Some rigid construction styrofoam would probably be the way to go - tape it all the way around to completely seal the top like a cooler. Only have a penetration for power to a heater and an airline. Blankets would help in that scenario. More styro on the bottom might help too.

-Matt

 

[cdness]

The battery idea or generator are you only options honestly. The UPS units don't work well with the resistive load of a heater. They tend to detect a fault and just shut down. Boiling or heating water is a good idea as well if you have the ability to heat water.

 

[Jeromy]

What about something like this: enjoy hot water anytime anywhere with zodi on demand hot water and portable hot showers, over 40 camping comfort products

Comes with a battery powered pump and runs on propane. They even sell an adapter for a Barbecue tank.