March TOTM Crashes!

I have a UPS for only my main pump. This will keep the tank flow going, and the sump moving. I also have 4 battery powered air pumps, that automatically turn on when power dies, but I dont leave them in the tank, so they are pretty pointless.

Keeping a UPS on just a single pump is the first step. With just that pump running the tank would be fine for an extended period of time. but the ups only runs for a few hours before it dies.

So now comes generator. I live in Miami..so I definately need one. I'm still shopping, im not sure if I want a tiny Honda one that's quiet and efficient to run just my actinics and a pump, plus some other little **** around the house.

Or get a big bad one, to run a wall unit a/c, halides, closed loop, heaters, etc.. plus tv, internet, mini fridge. Im leaning towards the big one because last hurricane season was a *****. No power for a month is nothing fun.. Especially in the dead of summer.. Atleast after Katrina last year, there was a FREAK cold wave that kept things in the 70's.
 
The heat has subsided a bit, but I've given it a lot of thought the last few days, (I'm in Orange County, CA.) and I'm going to purchase a generator. I really don't care if it's loud, I'm not entertaining when the power is out.

What I don't get is this....(and, don't get me wrong, I'm sorry to hear this guy lost his tank...) how could you let it sit for 2 days? I'd be GONE to Home Depot or Sears buying a generator before the first day was even over. If you can't afford $700, borrow it, put it on credit, do what you have to, but protect your investment.
I'm going to get one that is large enough to run my tank, and my fridge. (your tank rots, so does your food!)

Generators can be handy at tailgate parties too! :)

BTW, don't hold me to it... but someone I know who works for HD said they're going to have a 10% off sale this weekend, up to $200. (so if you buy a generator for say $600, you'd save $60.)
I haven't confirmed this, but I'll be checking this weekend.

I'd NEVER let my tank crash that way. NEVER. If you wanna roll the dice, be prepared to drive out of town to a Sears or HD, and buy a generator! How do you just let it rot? Was he not home?
Sorry, I just don't get it.
 
I feel for the guy. I live in California and power outages that last for more than a few hours are VERY uncommon. The outage that hit Los Angeles lasted two days, and that is pretty much unheard of here.
I can't fault the guy for not having a generator. Not everyone can afford to plunk down $800 for a piece of equipment that you may have to use "someday". It is hard enough to get your bills paid in this state, the cost of living is very high. I have to pay $1300 a month for a 1 bedroom apartment, so something like a generator is out of the question.
 
Kellie, I hear ya. It's so expensive to live here, I know. But if you have a 300 gallon tank, you're not poor by any means.

I guess worst case, I know that if a blackout happened, I'd be in my truck and on my way to pick up a generator. Have that money socked away in savings just in case, or open up an HD card and dont' use it, but know you have it just in case.
 
RIP one of the most beautiful SPS tanks i've ever seen...

lefrview.jpg


reeftank.jpg
 
before you all go and start speculating im sure he did not just sit by and watch thousands and thousands of dollars go down the drain and for some skeletons in someones FO tank.

im sure he used a generator at one point if not from the beginning
a guy with a tank like this can afford a generator [ common sense people]

and last crashed does not mean total loss. wish him luck on recovery if you want but i dought its all done
 
A $600 generator could have saved this tank, no doubt about it.
All you'd need to run is the return pump and some fans if you needed to keep the temps in check. Actually, you could run a chiller as well. No lights needed.

I'm not trying to be an *** about it, just trying to understand or to at the very least, let people know it's important stuff to think about. I feel for Hugo, its too bad he lost his beautiful tank.
But, unless he was away from home, it should have been avoided. If I'm wrong, I'm sorry, but I just don't get it.
 
I'd NEVER let my tank crash that way. NEVER. If you wanna roll the dice, be prepared to drive out of town to a Sears or HD, and buy a generator! How do you just let it rot? Was he not home?
Click to expand...

He was told that the power would be back on shortly. They told him 3 hours.

Why assume that a person can just run to HD and afford to plunk down 800ish bucks on a generator, then take it back home and figure out how to safely set it up. Also , you assume he had no generator, but I would be suprised if he didn't have some kind of safety equipment. Maybe it just didn't work, wasn't enough.

Yes, it pays to have redundancy and safeties when you're talking about thousands in livestock, but there are frugal reefers out there who have to SAVE UP for basic equipment and finance alot of their hobby through selling frags and other animals. Don't assume that just because someone has a bombass tank that they are rich.

Remember that hindsight is always 20/20, and despite all our best efforts, stuff happens.

I think it's a tragedy
 
:( Sorry, didn't read that he did. I'm sorry he lost it.

1. I wouldn't depend on SCE as to when my power came on.
2. I understand about being frugal, but being responsible comes with the hobby too. That's a lot of money to lose, (for most of us anyways)
3. If he did have a generator, I'd be curious to know what kind, how big, etc. A decent one should have been enough to sustain the tank. 300 gallons is big, but not THAT big. Again, a return pump and a few fans should have kept things going for a few days at least.

I don't wanna beat a dead horse. I want everyone, (including myself ) to learn from this. I won't go plop down money for a generator if for some reason I'm not seeing... it doesn't work?
I'd be interested to know why it didn't work for hugo.
 
That's not a tank, it's a coral garden! If he's like me, you can bet he's got lots of people around who'd set him up with some frags that he gave out!
 
oooo bebo with this photo u made my heart in tears again i couldnt maintain but started to cry people say why i cry bbecause its just corals that die and money that waste but for me it was part of my life because i already had it for about 5 years and i struggled many many times with it infections,flatworms,nudi brach,red bugs, and all the ones for today also every year i would take my tank with the tempetures with no problem and a month back i had some problems with my kh and i went forward with it and did not give up and thats why i say it was part of my life cause i really enjoyed this hobby and for all mydreams to be lost from one day to another is REALLY SUCKS im really thankful for those who will help in getting some corals back cause after i talked to greg carrol i decided i will not quit so againb i will look forward and not sit down.
something really starng was that wednesday in the morning evry corals were fine but becaus ei had approx. 40 fish and they all died for which i was able to take out of the water so the rest contaminated the water and that is why the corals started to die also that same morning i was working with a generator but it did not help much so like i said if you want to sell me or give me a fragment of my corals i really appreciate it
thank you
Click to expand...

Sounds like it was a cascade effect from dead fish, but he does state that he was using a genny, don't know why it didn't work...

I just don't know... I mean how can you anticipate how much equipment is going to be enough. This hobby is crazy in that you can think you have all the bases covered, and then something new comes along to deal with.

I think it's easy for people not involved to say 'I would have done this and this, and he should have done this and this.'

All I can say is I wouldn't want to take my tank offline for 2 days to test the effectiveness of backup equipment, whether I had a genny or not :eek2:
 
Last edited:
I know, you're right. I'm just in shock. I'd be devestated if I lost my tank. I really hope he recovers, I feel for him.
 
Who was ripping people off on ebay with 400 dollar frags after he became tank of the month? That made me sick after seeing ebay auctions that stated "as seen on the tank of the month on Reef Central"

Answering a previous post, Honda driven generators are the best however they are very expensive and you should really buy a generator that has at least 5000 running watts. For the 750 to 1000 dollar price range it is unlikely that you will find a Honda driven generator that is above 3200 watts /4000 surge watts. Almost all generators are made by the same company which is Generac and the difference between brands is the engine that drives the generator. A good option is overload shut down protection and there are less important options such as low oil shut down but I find this unnecessary. Remember electrical motors use more watts while starting than running and you need to have a list of what to plug in first and how long you need to wait until you plug in the next item. Briggs and Stratton makes a great engine but it is very loud however there is a plus side to having a very loud engine on your generator because if someone attempts to steal it you will hear it shut off. For 699.00 home depot sells a Briggs and Stratton 5500/8500 which can run most of my tank, a fan and fridge.
 
Last edited:
Yes I remember looking on ebay and seeing those auctions. I am not sure if it was him or another person selling his frags but it made me sick. If I knew how to search for past auctions on ebay I would post the link
 
That's lowdown- make accusations without any proof! What purpose does it
serve to bring up anyway.... when I gave donations to the Florida (your state)
hurricane victims, I did so unconditionally without any accusations of fraud.
 
what more proof do you want? the auction stated from snipersps reef and current tank of the month on RC. You are right however that it does not serve any relevance in our discussion.

I do not see how your donation to hurricane victims fits in our topic either, and what fraud?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Anemone
Power Outages
Replies
3
Views
1K
alton
alton
Brian60077
Be patient, wait, and do not rush to add things ???
Replies
11
Views
2K
Brian60077
Brian60077
DRThompson
FMAS March 1st, 2022 Zoom Meeting
Replies
0
Views
562
DRThompson
DRThompson
DRThompson
FMAS March 1, 2022 Zoom meeting - ReefBum
Replies
0
Views
1K
DRThompson
DRThompson
S
My humble 59G after 6 years, and how I got here
Replies
2
Views
830
stratozyck
S
Back
Top