How to Prep for a Power Outage

saltyjo

saltyjo

New member
I have been really lucky and in my 6 years of reefing I have never experienced a power outage. Really! However as luck has it I am transfering my 75 gallon reef over to my 150 this weekend. Altough I am pretty far inland, I am curious to know what more experienced reefers are doing to prepare for Sandy.
What are some things I can do without a generator? Is buying a computer UPS a smart thing to do today to keep things like powerheads going for a while?
Any sound advice will be highly appreciated!
~Jo
 
Yes. UPS will keep your powerheads running for some time. Your runtime depends on the things you want to run during a power outage.. lights, return pump, circulation pump, skimmer, etc.

If you have a plain sump, you could run without your return pump and just let your powerheads stay on battery.

Only downside to all of that... Most local chain stores don't carry anything better than a UPS with a runtime of 1 hour if your lucky. The APC 1500VA costs around $210 here.

Harbor Freight sells a small 1 gallon generator for $119. I would recommend using a small APC to clean up the ac wave from the generator though. This protects your equipment.


I hope this helps you! Good Luck!
 
You know, Jo, a lot depends on the length of the outage. I'm lucky enough to have a generator. Two days after I bought the generator, our power went out for eight hours, so it paid for itself right off the bat. When the power goes out, I run the return pump so I can leave the heaters in the sump and keep all the water moving. You have to be careful not to let the water in the sump stagnate. If it sits too long without movement, it can turn ugly and then when the return pump comes back on, you pump icky water back to the display.
 
saltyjo said:
What are some things I can do without a generator?
Click to expand...
wrap yourself in a blanket and play pinochle in the dark!

Seriously, though
Gary Majchrzak said:
get a power inverter that plugs into the car's cigerette lighter (cheap!).

You'll also need to run the car outside a garage..... so a full tank of gas is a good idea (not so cheap!)

If need be this arrangement can run powerhead and heater for many hours.
Click to expand...

in the event of power outage you need to keep water circulating and keep temperature from dipping below 75F. These are the MINIMUM requirements. More sensitive livestock might require more than the minimum.
 
This all has me a little worried.... I live on a 3rd floor apartment so I can't run a genny or and extension cord to my car. I guess I just hope for the best....
 
they make some really LONG extension cords .....
if the power goes out for a day or two you're gonna wish you had some and an inverter.. or a neighbor with a generator.

On the other hand...no power source at all... you could try wrapping the aquarium in blankets and stir it with a spoon...

Although I've never heard of this being done... if you have the means to heat saltwater (aquarium water) you could probably go that route... but wow.... what a PITA.

Personally, I have an inverter and the Vortech backup battery.
A UPS backup battery can be used as well.

No matter what the equipment, at a minimum you want to maintain some water movement and hold the temperature.
 
A generator is the best option. Sometimes, you can't do it though. I have a cheap inverter, which is enough to run a powerhead and a small heater.
 
Temp is not so much an issue as water movement for me. We have gas heat and even in the october storm the apartment stayed as warm as we wanted it (so I will crank it to 78 lol). I guess a couple car batteries and an inverter might be just enough to keep at least one power head moving water. Worst case..:crazy1:
 
What size generator should i get for two heaters (800 & 400watt) and an iwaki75 pump?

Im in DC and won't be home until Monday.
 
Well, the Iwaki is around 200watt, so you're at a 1400 watt requirement. Add a good 30% for safety and you're at around 1800-1900 watts. That's a wierd generator size, so maybe something in the 2000-2200watt range would be good. With that you could run a sump pump too if your basement has one.
 
Cut insulation foam board for all sides of tank. It's cheap and is the best way to insulate. When power is down tape the foam around the tank. For water moment battery air pumps are great, at times of no power at all drain water out into bucket and pour back. Try to aerate best you can when draining into bucket. Those of you with kids, they will probably be bored with lack of tv and video games. So get the kids to move water around with turkey baster or a cup. In the stoneage of this hobby my father used to have a bike tire pump with a basketball split into airline with air stones. Worked similar to Irish bagpipes, pump up the basketball and it would bubble for half hour.
 
Okay question worst case seneriao. All my fish are in a qt tank at the momment. If I had to choose, which tank do I choose to power up? Or do I combine them in a seperate tank with new salt water or something?

Makeing as much salt water as I can tonight.
 
SkiFletch said:
Well, the Iwaki is around 200watt, so you're at a 1400 watt requirement. Add a good 30% for safety and you're at around 1800-1900 watts. That's a wierd generator size, so maybe something in the 2000-2200watt range would be good. With that you could run a sump pump too if your basement has one.
Click to expand...

Honda and Yamaha both make "suitcase" style generators that are both quiet and efficient. Clean 2000 watt peak power. Downside, cost. Expect to pay about $900 for one. But if you have thousands into a tank, fairly "cheap" insurance.

I may be new to the reef aquarium deal, but I do know my generators. :D One of my other hobbies is RC helis. The last few years have seen a huge increase from nitro powered engines to electric motors. So everyone needs to bring a power supply to the field. And it has been hashed over with thousands of threads in forums! :crazy1:

Now the chargers we use are fairly complex, and spikes in wattage or from "dirty" power, ie: cheaper gennys from harbor freight, lowes, etc.. can really mess up our electronics. ("Clean power" is electrical current that is consistent and has a stable signal, or sine wave.) Now if some of you are using the complex programmable controllers, I would think this would affect you also.

Sent from my phone
 
Last edited:
G, that's hysterical with the basketball air stone idea. What if someone in preparation inflated a huge pool toy or their inflatable doll. That would provide air for several hours.
 
OtsegoHeliGuy said:
Honda and Yamaha both make "suitcase" style generators that are both quiet and efficient. Clean 2000 watt peak power. Downside, cost. Expect to pay about $900 for one. But if you have thousands into a tank, fairly "cheap" insurance.

I may be new to the reef aquarium deal, but I do know my generators. :D One of my other hobbies is RC helis. The last few years have seen a huge increase from nitro powered engines to electric motors. So everyone needs to bring a power supply to the field. And it has been hashed over with thousands of threads in forums! :crazy1:

Now the chargers we use are fairly complex, and spikes in wattage or from "dirty" power, ie: cheaper gennys from harbor freight, lowes, etc.. can really mess up our electronics. ("Clean power" is electrical current that is consistent and has a stable signal, or sine wave.) Now if some of you are using the complex programmable controllers, I would think this would affect you also.

Sent from my phone
Click to expand...


Thank you for this post.

We have a Troy-Bilt 5500w w/ Briggs. I figured, as far as aquarium related is concerned, I'd just power the two Fluval e-Heater 300w and an MP40. Now youre making me think I should use a cpl of cheaper pumps to provide oxygenation.
 
Jacwil said:
Thank you for this post.

We have a Troy-Bilt 5500w w/ Briggs. I figured, as far as aquarium related is concerned, I'd just power the two Fluval e-Heater 300w and an MP40. Now youre making me think I should use a cpl of cheaper pumps to provide oxygenation.
Click to expand...

you should have no problem with that generator I have the same one and power my whole house with it the voltage regulator is very good on them
 
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