UPS on vital equipment.

[mangelo]

The storm a bruin' out here in the east made me think about a UPS for most likely my heater and lighting.

Is it common to run a UPS? How much does the heater and the lights drain?

How much power do I need in a UPS?

Thanks.

 

[snulma1]

A heater will drain your UPS, and lighting will drain it as well.

Most people run a pump or 2 on the UPS. And if you really need to heat, then run a car battery attached to an inverter.

 

[billdogg]

I would just put a mid sized powerhead on the ups - get a couple of cheap battery operated airpumps and use airstones. you can alway throw a blanket over the tank to reduce heat loss. lights would be my last concern - the will suck up all your power supply and leave you with nothing

 

[mangelo]

How long can the coral go without light before they are in trouble?

 

[snorvich]

Yes, a running powerhead is all you need. Forget about lights. Of course I have a full house generator for my tanks and refrigerators so I don't have to worry about that particular problem.

 

[cdness]

I was thinking about the same thing more for protection of the pumps and equipment. It would prevent issues with power fluctuations which may damage certain components. I know it wouldn't last forever on the UPS but it would prevent the quick off then on again that could damage pumps and lighting ballasts...

 

[snorvich]

Well I also seem to recall that the power from a UPS does not necessarily have the right "description" for all the things we use. I don't recall the particulars, but be careful of this solution.

 

[kevin2000]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13000420#post13000420 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mangelo
How long can the coral go without light before they are in trouble?

Remember that Hurricanes last a long time and there isn't much sun out in the tropics during a Hurricane. I have kept my tanks without light for over a week and while the corals didn't like it they all recovered.

 

[ladybug5234]

I run 2 powerheads on my UPS. It'll run for about 4-6 hours and it has come in handy before. Well worth the $100.

 

[mangelo]

So no heat won't kill the fish and no light won't kill the coral. What is it about the powerheads that holds everything over?

 

[ladybug5234]

What a tank needs most is circulation. Powerheads provide that.

 

[kevin2000]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13002101#post13002101 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mangelo
So no heat won't kill the fish and no light won't kill the coral. What is it about the powerheads that holds everything over?

Powerheads help keep the tank aerated.

Some of the recommendations are conditions on where you live and what time of the yr it is. If you live in a very cold climate and your power goes out during the winter .. heat is pretty important. If you live in a very hot place and your power goes out during the summer ... temperature is also a big deal.

Overall .. powerheads always go to the top of the list.

 

[calli]

Well were I am from the power generally goes out only in the Summer months.. not very often in the winter. Usally in the summer becasue of all the power consumption and or electrical storms...

 

[Zestay]

powerheads = low watts and provide lots of health to your tank.

a few maxijets a UPS or inverter and car battery can keep your tank alive ( on life support ) longer than you think.