alphaferret
Pitcher Hill Reef Society
What kind do you have? What do you have plugged into it? How much time can it buy you?
battery back up ???
- Thread starter alphaferret
- Start date
Newreeflady
New member
1) I have 2 of the airstone battery backups for a 20g- It's just a battery-powered air pump that turns on when power cuts off, and remains off when the power is on.
2) Clearly, circuit with main pump.
3) Not sure- it won't keep the water warm, that's for sure. So, I would suppose it depends on the time of year/ temperature in my house.
-A
2) Clearly, circuit with main pump.
3) Not sure- it won't keep the water warm, that's for sure. So, I would suppose it depends on the time of year/ temperature in my house.
-A
naprestsleep
blank
I have an APC UPS 600va, tested it with a k4 that ran a couple hours. Now its got a MP40w on it and I have yet to try to test how long I will get. I also got 3 of the battery operated airstone.
alphaferret
Pitcher Hill Reef Society
how much that run ya?
What does the airstone give ya -oxygen?
I would like to hook one of these to my tank-but my heaters are in the sump so i would have to have the main pump on too. will that suck the battery right down?
So better to have circ. for along time w/ out heat or the opposite. I guess it qwould matter what time of yr. it is.
What does the airstone give ya -oxygen?
I would like to hook one of these to my tank-but my heaters are in the sump so i would have to have the main pump on too. will that suck the battery right down?
So better to have circ. for along time w/ out heat or the opposite. I guess it qwould matter what time of yr. it is.
naprestsleep
blank
I got the UPS used, read free. They can run a $100 or two depending how big, ie how long you can run things.
I only put one power head on it to max the run time, heaters will suck up the battery power. I have read that circulation is better than the heat for short periods.
The air pumps provide oxygen and some minor circulation.
I only put one power head on it to max the run time, heaters will suck up the battery power. I have read that circulation is better than the heat for short periods.
The air pumps provide oxygen and some minor circulation.
backdraft79
New member
I have nothing for battery back up but do have a generator for the heater, return pump and the skimmer.
acdraindrps
New member
Vortech battery backups are advertised to run for 30+ hours on one of their pumps. The batteries they sell are (I think) 12v 18ah (ampere hour). If I remember correctly they sell for $165?
A quick search on ebay shows that you can buy a 12v 33ah battery (sealed lead acid, or sla battery) for $80, and a 12v 55ah battery for $165. Higher ah rating equals more run time. So with a few extra dollars in wire and a plug (to plug into the vortech controller) a person could have more than three times the run time on their vortech during a power outage for around the same amount of money that vortech charges to put things in a fancy case. If vortech's ratings are correct for the 18ah battery, that could be more than 90 hours run time out of a single 12v 55ah battery.
I will also add - you may be able to find better deals on sla batteries if you search local. I did.
A quick search on ebay shows that you can buy a 12v 33ah battery (sealed lead acid, or sla battery) for $80, and a 12v 55ah battery for $165. Higher ah rating equals more run time. So with a few extra dollars in wire and a plug (to plug into the vortech controller) a person could have more than three times the run time on their vortech during a power outage for around the same amount of money that vortech charges to put things in a fancy case. If vortech's ratings are correct for the 18ah battery, that could be more than 90 hours run time out of a single 12v 55ah battery.
I will also add - you may be able to find better deals on sla batteries if you search local. I did.
deep cell marine batteries rated at 700 cca will give you about 115 ah and walmart sells them for $70 ( + core charge) add a solar trickle charger from harbour frieght (i think they run $30) and you could run a 12v pump for days or more depending on availiable sunlight. one word of caution the solar trickle charger will eventually fry a battery if left connected with no amp draw on the battery. You could also look into 12v marine bilge pumps for a less expensive pump option walmart sells a couple with varing outputs (500-1200 gph) for $30-50. I'm still working on a 12v heater option as far as lights go you can get battery operated t5s (standard output) for cheap and with a little digging you can find bulbs for our applications online and local. xenon automotive lighting is also in the correct color spectrums now 35-55 watts per bulb 12vdc 2.5 amp draw makes them a feasable option and at $40 per pair off of ebay makes them affordable. sorry for being so long winded here but I still want my tanks if the world as we know it ever comes to an end lol
alphaferret
Pitcher Hill Reef Society
Generator-NICE~!!
Looking at the APC ups 1300 I believe. Surge and battery packed. So as long as not a long period I could go w/ just flow-IE-my 2 ph inm ain tank. And a heater that would just keep fuge and sump heated.
Looking at the APC ups 1300 I believe. Surge and battery packed. So as long as not a long period I could go w/ just flow-IE-my 2 ph inm ain tank. And a heater that would just keep fuge and sump heated.
backdraft79
New member
Biggest thing with batteries is size. If you were going to hook up a deep cycle lead acid battery id say get the most bang for your buck and go with a group size 27 or 29. Then if money is no option look into floor cleaner batteries! Just my .02. I only work for Interstate battery.
Steve Canyon
New member
Why spend $ on 12 volt pumps, heaters, etc. Why not pick up an inverter? They can be found used in old campers for next to nothing. Check CL for that. Even new ones would be less $ and less hassle than buying 12 volt equipment.
You can pick up a small generator for cheap. watch CL. in the long run you can run the entire tank on a little fuel. Just keep the oil changed and fire it up once a month and it will last you longer than a ups. If your worried about a noise level in your neighborhood make sure it has the spin on muffler and you can adapt a car muffler to quiet it down with a little bit of pipe.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
My thoughts on the subject:
If you're getting a lead acid battery, either get a sealed battery or build a ventilation system. IMHO there's no other safe option. A standard-issue automotive battery will vent enough to destroy anything surrounding it in short order. And, it's a pretty big explosion hazard to have sitting in your home.
Someone above mentioned DIY'ing a backup for a Vortech. I'd be sure to research how the Vortech's driver works with respect to battery management (i.e. does it attempt to trickle charge the battery? Does the battery backup come with some sort of charging capacity or is it just a bare battery with a wiring harness?) before just slapping a battery on the unit yourself. It probably is possible to DIY something better than their overpriced unit, but IMHO make sure you know what you're getting in to.
The problem with almost every inverter within a reasonable budget limit is that they produce really crappy AC waveforms, to the point that some of our aquarium equipment probably won't even run on them, or will run erratically. Resistive loads (heaters) will likely be fine no matter what, but if you're planning to run a pump or other device with a motor inside, definitely check operation before assuming it'll work.
And, by the time you've bought your own battery, come up with a charging solution, added in an inverter, and figured out an automatic load switch, you could probably just buy a cheap UPS intended for computer use. Or get one free. Lotsa places toss their UPSs at the first sign of trouble because they're perceived as being so important to a business's operation, and 90% of the time it's something cheap and simple like a new battery.
The problem with relying on a generator is that you have to be there to start it and plug your tank into it. IMHO the "best practice" would be to use a purpose-built UPS for a small load of critical equipment (heater, circulation in the main tank). That'll give you an automatic cushion for small outages, or for larger outages it'll keep your tank running long enough for you to get home, drag out the generator, and get things running off that.
If you're getting a lead acid battery, either get a sealed battery or build a ventilation system. IMHO there's no other safe option. A standard-issue automotive battery will vent enough to destroy anything surrounding it in short order. And, it's a pretty big explosion hazard to have sitting in your home.
Someone above mentioned DIY'ing a backup for a Vortech. I'd be sure to research how the Vortech's driver works with respect to battery management (i.e. does it attempt to trickle charge the battery? Does the battery backup come with some sort of charging capacity or is it just a bare battery with a wiring harness?) before just slapping a battery on the unit yourself. It probably is possible to DIY something better than their overpriced unit, but IMHO make sure you know what you're getting in to.
The problem with almost every inverter within a reasonable budget limit is that they produce really crappy AC waveforms, to the point that some of our aquarium equipment probably won't even run on them, or will run erratically. Resistive loads (heaters) will likely be fine no matter what, but if you're planning to run a pump or other device with a motor inside, definitely check operation before assuming it'll work.
And, by the time you've bought your own battery, come up with a charging solution, added in an inverter, and figured out an automatic load switch, you could probably just buy a cheap UPS intended for computer use. Or get one free. Lotsa places toss their UPSs at the first sign of trouble because they're perceived as being so important to a business's operation, and 90% of the time it's something cheap and simple like a new battery.
The problem with relying on a generator is that you have to be there to start it and plug your tank into it. IMHO the "best practice" would be to use a purpose-built UPS for a small load of critical equipment (heater, circulation in the main tank). That'll give you an automatic cushion for small outages, or for larger outages it'll keep your tank running long enough for you to get home, drag out the generator, and get things running off that.
alphaferret
Pitcher Hill Reef Society
thank you all
backdraft79
New member
I agree. If using a lead acid batteries, keep it out of the house in a well vented area! Batteries blowing up is not fun and can cause alot of problems!
