Do you have a "backup plan" in case of a power outage!!

[ducklabdad]

Well we just had our first real power outage since my setup has been up and running.

Power was not out but about 30 minutes but!!! It made me really think. What do you have in place in case of a major power outage??? How long could you sustain your system and not be wiped out??

Come on everyone be honest!!! What would you do??

 

[neuroslicer]

Years ago I just had battery powered airpumps to provide some circulation and oxygenation, but that certainly wouldn't cover temperature control during winter or summer temperature extremes, both of which could cause massive loss in less than a day. Now I've got a Coleman gas powered generator; admittedly I didn't purchase it for my reef but rather for medical reasons. Still it's nice to know it's there. Also have a spare Poseidon pump in case one goes bad (otherwise I'd be waiting at least 48 hours for a new one).

 

[Lucky.U]

There is some kind of battery back up that you can buy that can run for about an hour to power all that you want to run. I dont know the specs but I know it exists.

 

[ducklabdad]

I do have a pump that I can use as an emergency back up that will actually pull water from my sump back into the tank which will give me circulation for a while.

This I will admit that I actually had from my old tournament bass fishing days and was a backup aeration pump for my bass boat in case of an outage.

It will run off my 12 volt trolling mother battery and could be run for about 8 hours but it would not help me with temperature extremes.

 

[Reefdiver77]

I have several battery operated aeration pumps as well as several battery powered fans for power failure in the summer. I also keep several large zip loc bags with ice frozen in them in a large sheet, to place in the tank during the summer. I also have kerosene heaters to heat the room in the winter. I have not yet purchased a generator. I have 4 tanks on 2 levels, with the larger tanks being upstairs. I am sure someday I will bite the bullet and get a generator.

 

[DrPeaches]

I have this low-tech power-backup system.

 

[Lucky.U]

LMAO. Do you know where I can get one of those bad boys?

 

[Del123]

part #

part #

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12517005#post12517005 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DrPeaches
I have this low-tech power-backup system.

Doc do you have the part number for this one, I need two

 

[sperry]

I have APC battery backup on all my tanks. With just a powerhead on the battery side it will provide circulation for several hours. I can plug a heater into also but that reduces the batter life.

 

[ducklabdad]

I like Dr. Peaches approach, now If I can get one of those big enough for my labrador retriever our two pomeranians and our Golden retriever to all fit in, Hell I could power up my whole system, and keep the TV and computer running to keep the kds happy!!!

 

[grannybj]

I have a battery airstone for short time and a generator for the long term. I have a room size heater for winter and a small window unit in the room with the tank for summer. So hopefully I will be able to handle outages..the generator is still in the original box so I would have to unpack it and set it up but at least I know I have it...I bought it and my RO/DI unit at the same time...both for peace of mind.

 

[just dave]

If you have the money I'd recommend one of these bad boys.

 

[ducklabdad]

That could really power up your ballasts and lighting, imagine the "colors" your corals could take on!!

 

[Goibot]

I plan on buying a small generator after I get the tank up and running.

 

[Freed]

Just Dave, I thought about getting one of those but you have to place it several miles from the home to keep all traces of nuclear radiation away from the tank AND the copper wire to get the electricity to the house would cost more than the reactor itself.

 

[JamesBryan]

Sam's Club has small back up systems

Sam's Club has small back up systems

We have two back up systems. Both the same. We got them at Sam's a few years back. One will run about 200watts for about 8 hrs. easily. We hook one up in the car power outlet and spend gas to charge it while one is in use. They have all sizes, but we don't need much. I also live about a mile from work so when my power goes out, they have natural gas generator back up for building. I plug one in my office and run back and forth. I think we spent about 100 buck each, a few years back (4 or 5).

Wrap tank in insulated blanket like a water heater blanket. That will help. Use solar powered converters during day when possible to trickle charge system. Float in tank to use body heat to heat water and create current. I slept with about 4 clutches of snake eggs for two nights. It worked.

 

[crpeck]

So now we know how Dave gets his flourescent corals.