Battery backup for reefs

[NYBen]

Anyone using an APC (or similar) UPS on their reef? What size? What kind of backup times are you seeing? I wouldn't intend to run my halides on it (maybe if the draw isn't terrible), but definatley a 300w heater, a Seio 1500, a couple of Maxi-Jet 900, and a quiet one 3000 return pump, oh and my skimmer powered by an ocean runner 2700. Any ideas or suggestions? I don't know what it is with my town, but it seems we're prone to these 1-3 hr maintenace outages, so i'm looking for something to cover that span in the evnt it occured while I was at work.

Thanks...

 

[sloshes]

I have an APC I used during Wilma. I got about 4 hours running everything but the lights. Apparently the heater is what really sucks them dry.

 

[NYBen]

which model APC?

 

[sloshes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6869599#post6869599 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NYBen
which model APC?

It's back at my apartment so I can't tell you, but it was the biggest one I could find at Office depot. It cost about $170 if that helps at all. I'm not techno.

 

[melev]

An APC 1500 UPS would be able to run a few things for multiple hours, but it really comes down to wattage. I had one on my 29g to keep the return pump running, and one on my 55g to keep the Tunze Turbelle for circulation.

They could each run for several hours (about 5 maybe), which was good as it maintains oxygen levels in the tank. If you feel it would take even longer, you'll want battery operated airpumps, or you could plug in a low-wattage air pump into the UPS to keep adding oxygen for days.

If you want to run more stuff, consider a generator instead.