Backup Power Options - UPS

[FlyPenFly]

I cannot get a generator because I live in a second floor walk up in Manhattan.

If we have another Sandy like long power outage, I was wondering what I could do about it.

About the only thing I can think of is a UPS system like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/CyberPower-CP..._2?ie=UTF8&qid=1356023500&sr=8-2&keywords=UPS


To me, in NYC, the most important things to worry about for a reef aquarium during a power outage of 3-4 days would be:

1. Heat
2. Aeration
3. Light

How long would a 1500VA 900W UPS be able to power a 200w heater and a air pump (for bubbling). Would it be more efficient to use a 100w heater or a 200w heater for a 34g tank.

How much light would I need to use? This would be a AI Sol Blue. This would just be for an emergency so I imagine 2-3 hours a day would be sufficient?

 

[Dave Thebrewguy]

I have a 550VA unit on my tank but it runs everything, 200W heater, return pump, 260W of lighting, skimmer, RA, 2 powerheads, etc. It lasts long enough to fill the gas tank on the generator, if I'm lucky. I get 4 to 10 minutes out of it, depending on what is running. Lights off gives me at least 6 minutes but the 200W heater is the next largest load.
That unit is much larger, it should last at least 20 minutes with just your heater and an air pump, maybe even 30-45 minutes. Leave the lights off.

 

[Dapg8gt]

Yeah not long at all.. UPS are made for short term runs. You can buy battery powered air pumps that trip like a ups for circulation or if you have vortech or tunze there are DIY battery backups you can run for hours to days for circulation. Other option would be a couple of big marine battery's on a trickle charger and a power inverter to plug the necessary equip into. The marine would be your longest running option. I would not worry about the lights myself just heat and circulation. Don't know if you have anywhere to put a couple large marine battery's though. At least they are sealed and don't off gas like normal car battery's so a closet should be okay I think. Double check that if you go with that option though just read that recently no experience.

 

[bmullikin1]

Here's a good article



http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64918&highlight=battery&page=5