Storms coming, what's the best generator for aquarium use?

[Jmunk]

Presuming you're serious about an upper limit of $200, there isn't a "best" generator, because that's the rock-bottom, cheap-as-dirt range for the category. Quality only starts to just barely creep in at the $500 price point, and overall "nice" starts at $1,000 for the Honda EU2000i. So get whatever brand is cheapest and available, because brands are really meaningless in that range.

But given budget restrictions, you might consider an alternate set-up: a 12VDC power inverter and a high-quality extension cord. A big plus to the set-up would be a 12V marine deep cycle battery of about 75 amp-hours (i.e., "car battery" size). You simply run your tank's powerheads off of the inverter/marine battery until it's exhausted, then run your tank off of your car while simultaneously re-charging the marine battery. Obviously, if you decide to do this, make absolutely sure that your car's gas tank is full before the storm!

As far as sizing the power inverter/generator, you can simply add up the wattage of the equipment you want to run (powerheads, heater, return pump, etc...) and compare it to the total wattage output of the generator or inverter. So long as the supply's output exceeds your demand by 20% or more, you're good.

Sweet, thanks for the detailed response. I think I'll go with this option for now, as money's tight and we don't often get power outages.

I'll get a high quality inverter and make sure my tank is full of gas before storms!

 

[2_zoa]

Sweet, thanks for the detailed response. I think I'll go with this option for now, as money's tight and we don't often get power outages.

I'll get a high quality inverter and make sure my tank is full of gas before storms!

One thing I love about man kind, there is a solution for everyone's needs. Our brilliance can be awesome and a curse at the same time. A good search here on RC should reveal some pretty awesome DIY battery backup builds. I've not gotten around to building my battery backup yet. I do plan to build one for the times I'm not here to fire up the generator. Which is one good thing about a battery backup. It's automatic. I don't have the cash for a whole house automatic generator. I also didn't buy into the Y2K thing. Haha.

Good luck in your venture. Please post your solution. It would be great to see your twist on things or if you copy straight from another, it will be great to have the info somewhere else and up front.

Stay dry my friend.

 

[Jeepman3sk]

Harbor freight might have what you are looking for. Give them a try

 

[ColtonMeng]

I'd rather have electric anyway.

:hammer::deadhorse1::hammer:

I giggled.

but on a serious note, Harbor freight may be able to assist in a cheap inverter. Keep in mind though (if I recall, and my electricity skills / DIY here are slacking - someone override me if wrong) the cheaper you go, the more risk you run of varied wavelengths which can fry your equipment.


Again recalling, I think you are only supposed to run heaters / a few cheap power heads on an inverter to minimize the risk of damage to expensive equipment.

 

[rgulrich]

The Derecho of 2012 and 3 1/2 days without power (and because I was on a well, without water save what was in the RO/DI and mixed saltwater Brutes in the fish room) taught me a few lessons. For that event I just happened to have a 400 watt invertor that was just enough to run the 180G reef sump pump and skimmer as well as the 225G freshwater HOB filters for a couple hours every 6-8 hrs. Think minimal life support. At least with the temps in the 98-102F range outside and in the upper 90's in the house, I didn't have to worry about heating. My 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee did an admirable job of serving as a generator, even though I know the extensive idling was hard on it. I spent most of the days with my hatchet and chainsaw and a couple neighbors clearing our streets, driveways and yards of trees.

With the advent of the 300 going up in the new house, I picked up a Ridgid 5,700W Yamaha-powered work site generator. It supposedly produces stable enough power for laptops and such, and provides enough power for the new reef, lights and all, and then some. Like the fridge, lights for the house, etc. Also had a transfer switch installed with the outlet/generator input and grounding rod alongside right next to the driveway to make life a little easier in the thick of winter and such.

Pluses - this particular model runs about 11 hours on a tank of gasoline and produces more than enough power to keep the reef and the majority of the house (including the 10 gallon goldfish aquarium in a certain 13 yr-old's room) running. I don't have to worry about the old Jeep wearing out in excessive idle modes and only providing minimal power. Power changeover is relatively quick and easy - wheel the generator out of garage, hook up, start generator. Walk downstairs in house, switch over power breaker by breaker in transfer sub-panel. Ensure generator gas has fuel stabilizer in it, as well as gas in standby container(s). Test run generator (or use in the barn for work) at least once every couple of months.

Minuses - not cheap. Despite the generator costing around $850.00, the electrical work to install the transfer switch sub-panel and generator input with grounding rod ran just shy of $1,000.00. While I -could- have done it myself, I preferred to leave that part to someone that's worked these a number of times and knew the process first hand.

Hope this helps with your decision.

Oh, and with over $3-4K in livestock alone in my 300, I think it was a pretty wise investment for me...one the other half actually encouraged me to pursue.

Cheers,
Ray

 

[wiggleharris]

I am having a Westinghouse generator and I am not sure on whether you can use it for acquarium use or not.

 

[Sk8r]

A good super-cheap emergency measure is Penn-plax airpump that runs on batteries---airline and bubbler. One could keep a 50 gallon tank aerated so long as you feed it batteries. Dieoff from cold starts at about 65 degrees and becomes really serious at about 62.8. Been there, got the teeshirt, got my tank through it, but there will be losses if it drops below 65. The colder water IS not all bad, however, as chemistry slows way down and cold water holds more oxygen. Wrapping the sides of your tank (don't smother the top) in a blanket also slows down heat loss. Best if you can manage a generator, but also chain the sucker down: when people get crazy, theft can become an issue.

Also, use sheets to curtain the tank room doors, and do your living in there: your own body heat and the sheeted doors will help the ambient in that room.