Micro-hydro generators

[torbett]

This was an idea I'm wondering about. I plan on having a 600+ gallon tank in the next few years. I was wondering if there would be a way to put a hydro electric generator on the overflows, or some place in the system to generate the power needed to run the pumps. This would solve my worry of power outages, but I have no clue if it would work or not. Does anyone have any experiance or knowledge of this ever being done?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Icefire]

Won't work, you can't generate more than you use

 

[Am4nn]

Hte biggest problem you face is hight (head pressure) Even if ( in a crazy word) your tank was on the second floor and the generator was in the basement you would only have 40' on head tops. Most generators of a small size designed for a low flow application require at a lot more, min of about 300' total head. Though a clever idea practically speaking don't bother. Though if you are looking to try your idea out you might be able to rig something up that would generate enough juice to power 1 power head. GL sounds like a fun project.

 

[A.T.T.R]

better off not using sump to save energy ( see large reef tanks in coral mag)

 

[barjam]

Perpetual motion machines are impossible.