Effective Motivation to get backup power!

[frogg21]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ian8d9zN3EY

I was asking myself if i really wanted to splurge on a deep cycle battery.. this clip helped A LOT!

 

[dotcommer]

OMG, that was an eye opener. We take so much time researching, planning, buying, testing, growing and yet so many of us leave one important thing out.

 

[bugs713]

I am confident my tanks can survive about 24 hours, summer/winter, without power, but anymore than that, I will be scrambling for a generator!

A propane generator is on the top of my needs list, not my SW list, but all lists.
Like most everyone here, I have a great deal of money and time into fish/reef keeping, I also never forget these creatures are my responsibility.
We have a very outdated, fragile and over loaded power grid in this country! This has always been a concern, not just for my reef's, but also for my family.

Good reminder, thanks!

 

[Nibrown9]

I am confident my tanks can survive about 24 hours, summer/winter, without power, but anymore than that, I will be scrambling for a generator!

A propane generator is on the top of my needs list, not my SW list, but all lists.
Like most everyone here, I have a great deal of money and time into fish/reef keeping, I also never forget these creatures are my responsibility.
We have a very outdated, fragile and over loaded power grid in this country! This has always been a concern, not just for my reef's, but also for my family.

Good reminder, thanks!

Here we go again dooms day Phil!

 

[SweetCoralline1]

that was depressing...I need a backup plan

 

[AtomsAz]

I was actually thinking about getting something just incase this same thing happend , just really didnt want to buy a generator, not to take over the thread what are you guys running ? Im getting ready to redo all of my electrical what plug strips do you run too ?

 

[bugs713]

Here we go again dooms day Phil!

Oh and I suppose you don't believe there will be a zombie out break either?!

While you and your wife are being eaten, IN THE DARK, I will be drinking cold beer, watching my reefs and listening to Metallica!
:bounce1::bounce2::bounce3:

 

[bugs713]

I was actually thinking about getting something just incase this same thing happend , just really didnt want to buy a generator, not to take over the thread what are you guys running ? Im getting ready to redo all of my electrical what plug strips do you run too ?

As long as you have some decent flow in your tank, all should be okay for several hours. I have MP10's and MP 40's on all my tanks and they all have Belkin battery backups to power all MP's at 50% power for at least 20 hours.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2276372&highlight=vortech+diy+battery

As for power strips, IMO and IME, do not use plastic cased strips, only metal cased power strips! If the plastic strips get wet or just short out, they can catch fire. I had this happen twice, once an ATO line with a pin size hole that sprayed SW on a plastic strip behind the tank = fire. Another time, internal short? over loaded? don't know, but also fire.
I now use Belkin brand 15 amp metal case strips, I think I got them at Homedepo.

The longest I've not had power was 11 hours a few years ago in July when a transformer blew up and blacked out all of East Mesa. I didn't have SW then, only a little 6g FW and lost most of my fish due 97 degree temp's in the house.
Above all else, a generator is the best way to go!

 

[Nibrown9]

Oh and I suppose you don't believe there will be a zombie out break either?!

While you and your wife are being eaten, IN THE DARK, I will be drinking cold beer, watching my reefs and listening to Metallica!
:bounce1::bounce2::bounce3:

Lmao best believe ill have a bottle of jack with me when that day comes lol

 

[AtomsAz]

Awsome thanks bugs!

 

[frogg21]

For all around needs the Honda 2000i seems to be the best generator by a long shot. (factoring noise, fuel sipping, portability, reliable) Good option for reefers who are also prepers.

The problem with generators is they don't start themselves, if you're gone and lose power (unless your looking at $5K plus systems).
I'm going to try wiring a relay inline to one WP40, http://www.aquahub.com/store/12voltspdtrelay.html When power goes out, relay kicks over to battery and runs at 12v (half the normal volts). I think I'll get at least 24 hours out of a deep cycle battery. If all goes well, this should be a fairly cheap but long running backup.

I think its good to keep only a circulation pump on backup, everything else is bells/whistles when I just need life support (circulation) to keep things alive as long as possible.

 

[SKAREEF]

Oh and I suppose you don't believe there will be a zombie out break either?!

While you and your wife are being eaten, IN THE DARK, I will be drinking cold beer, watching my reefs and listening to Metallica!
:bounce1::bounce2::bounce3:

I'm coming to your house...you had me at Metallica..:wavehand:

 

[Stolireef]

I've said this before but my little inverter has saved my tank more than once. In NY during the great black out several years ago, I drove my car up to the window near my tank, hooked up the inverter to the battery leads, and was able to run my return pump and heater (it was chilly) for about 10 hours.

It's not nearly as good as a generator but in a pinch, a $50 inverter and a long extension cord brings a great deal of piece of mind.