Power outages

[Salty Cracker]

What do you guys do...if anything, in the event of a power outage?  We had about 3 hours this morning, and you start to get pretty nervious about the tank.  I was toying with going and getting an UPS unit attached to a powerhead so that there is at least water movement (I think a return pump would run out pretty quick.)  I'm definitely eyeing a generator, but hooking it into the mains is a bit of a job so I've put it off for a while now...

 

[teebone110]

I have thought about this,but wouldn't panic unless it was a power outage for a time of greater than 24 hours. Just think about the livestock that gets shipped from across the otherside of the world. At least in your tank things would be more stable. 

 

[pulpfiction1]

you might consider a battery backup for your main return pump  at least your water would be circulating

Sent from my HTC Incredible S

 

[spyd]

I run a UPS on my main pump for my 75G. On my 180 though, it does not provide enough juice to get my pump running so I have the UPS setup to run my powerheads. Water circulation is what you are looking for to add oxygen to the tank. Keep in mind though, a UPS will only be good for 3 hrs tops. I don't think there is much worry for your tank sitting idle for 3 - 4 hrs. If it remains idle for a day or more then I would start to worry!

 

[yveterinarian]

At the moment I have a Belkein battery backup system just for the pumps on my two tanks.  I chose the pumps because my reef tank is not drilled and if the pump was off too long I worry that the syphons wouldn't start up again when the power went on when I wasn't home.  According to the power draw chart, I should get approx 3 hours of run time with the system. My dream is to get a proper generator at some point.

 

[Salty Cracker]

Thanks for the ideas.  I think I'm going to look for a real generator, I still remember a few years back when the power was out for a couple of days.  It would be nice to have the tank, the fridge and the freezer running even for just short times.  Oh and the margarita maker. 

 

[Salty Cracker]

3 minutes on kijijji and I have a great deal on a generator...110 sockets and a 220. 

 

[yveterinarian]

3 minutes on kijijji and I have a great deal on a generator...110 sockets and a 220. 

Fantastic and Congratulations!  Does it run on gas for power?  I have been looking but haven't taken the plunge yet.  If/when I get one, I want one big enough to run my fridge also.  I, too remember that power outage and am not looking forward to another.

 

[Salty Cracker]

[quote author=Salty Cracker link=topic=2764.msg22522#msg22522 date=1341946491]
3 minutes on kijijji and I have a great deal on a generator...110 sockets and a 220. 

Fantastic and Congratulations!  Does it run on gas for power?  I have been looking but haven't taken the plunge yet.  If/when I get one, I want one big enough to run my fridge also.  I, too remember that power outage and am not looking forward to another.
[/quote]

It runs on gas, has 4 120 outlets and a 220, 6900 WATT maximum.  That sucker should  be able to run almost anything.  I've heard that these can be wired into the electrical mains.  For now I can run extension cords to fridge, freezer, tank, margarita maker and perhaps ice machine.  ;D

 

[yveterinarian]

It runs on gas, has 4 120 outlets and a 220, 6900 WATT maximum.  That sucker should  be able to run almost anything.  I've heard that these can be wired into the electrical mains.  For now I can run extension cords to fridge, freezer, tank, margarita maker and perhaps ice machine.  ;D

Sounds perfect...especially the Margarita maker