Backup battery?

[W1ngz]

Battery backups and generators won't fix the inherent design flaw of using a siphon made of a single PCV pipe as the only drain. IMO that should be addressed before adding a redundant power source.

With no proper self-starting drain, he would actually be better off if the power didn't come back on at all, until someone was there to make sure it started properly.

 

[CuzzA]

Battery backups and generators won't fix the inherent design flaw of using a siphon made of a single PCV pipe as the only drain. IMO that should be addressed before adding a redundant power source.

With no proper self-starting drain, he would actually be better off if the power didn't come back on at all, until someone was there to make sure it started properly.

Agreed.

 

[Trollicus]

A battery backup is ONLY useful for power outages when it comes to your tank. As others have mentioned, it won't help if the pump fails (although it can keep the powerheads/heater/lights/etc...going, depending on your tank size.)

The one you linked to, with all respect, is junk. The one I personally use for my tank (and for my home theater equipment/pc/etc...with a second one) is here - http://powerquality.eaton.com/products-services/backup-power-ups/9130.aspx?cx=3&GUID=C185C4C2-CE59-4C7A-B035-C39D7F91F950

Overkill for most, but considering how much we spend on this hobby I opt for the best. I have the two option cards as well which allow me to measure temp/humidity and connect to my network for web monitoring. With the 1500va version, my 90gal is around 6% load. I will have around 90-120min of backup time for an outage. With the identical system, I have around 20% load from my desktop pc + tv + xbox one + ht receiver and any networking equipment and around 35min of backup time.

Perhaps I'm overly picky due to my background (EE) but I have zero doubt my systems will keep running unless there is a multi-day blackout like we had 10 years ago. And if that happens...well I've got bigger problems than the tank most likely.

 

[CuzzA]

No offense but 90/120minutes is not much. I don't view a UPS as a battery backup. They were designed to allow a user to save data on their computer in the event of a power outage, not run appliances for long periods of time.

There are plenty of threads out there where people have left for work in the morning, only to return home to a dead tank. If your gone for 8-10 hours at work and the power went out the moment you left, that still leaves a powerless tank for a long period of time.

That is just one example of many different scenarios. I simply wouldn't waste my money on anything that can't power life support for at least a day.

But to each his own. That's just my opinion and how I run my tank.