Is Vortech at 20% speed really enough during power outage?

[DunnoMuch]

I have two MP-10's on my 60 gallon system with the battery backup, but only one of the pumps is on the backup. The power has gone out a couple of times, the backup kicked on and I have had no issues. Usually the power is off about 12 hours. Fortunately, I have not had to test the system for longer than that.

However, I am concerned about how little flow there is on the one Vortech at the 20% battery backup speed. It seems like the water is barely moving. I have the pump 3 or 4 inches from the surface, but again, it's barely moving.

Is one Vortech at 20% really enough to sustain oxygen during a medium term (2-3 days) power outage?

 

[Anemone]

The answer really depends upon your fish stocking level. If your tank is close to its carrying capacity, then having severely reduced surface movement could cause an oxygen deprivation event. However, in a moderately stocked tank, just "some" surface movement can be enough, and in a lightly stocked tank, very little may be necessary.

Sorry to not be more specific.

Kevin

 

[ramseynb]

You can change the speed it runs at on battery backup. In addition, you can make your own battery backup for way cheaper with a much bigger battery. I had two old battery backups that had completely dead batteries (wouldn't hold a charge) and I basically made two from scratch and just used the connectors and cable that goes to the Vortech. The connectors can be sourced then just buy the cable from Ecotech. You can also use any 12v battery. I used a similar battery to what they come with but wished I had spent a little more and got a giant battery that would run for days. I only have about 35g or so of water to move though.

 

[ramseynb]

So I guess what I was getting at is, build a second battery backup with a bigger battery and up the default speed. You could get a battery big enough that would last for days. It's pretty easy to do, even if you have limited or no experience soldering.

 

[DunnoMuch]

Thanks for the ideas. I will research some more.

 

[wrott]

Acros are the most susceptible to lack of flow+temp variation, not fish. Fish are fine w/ an air-stone until you start to get die-off(NH3) from lack of flow.
20% is fine for 2-3hrs, but i would do 100% w/ a generator--heaters and chiller of course depending on season..

 

[shaginwagon13]

You can change the speed it runs at on battery backup. In addition, you can make your own battery backup for way cheaper with a much bigger battery.

This.

Or buy a used gas generator which can run indefinitely so long as you have gas. Obviously this is no help unless your at home, but having one is a massive saver in general imo.

You don't need anything crazy, one that can power your return pump, bubble maker and a power head or two is more then enough but if you can afford a slightly larger one, you could power most houses on them.