What Battery Back Up Are You Using?

ALowe

Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2014
Location
Vaughan, Ontario
So we have experienced a few semi brief (couple hours) power outages in vaughan recently and I have decided that I seriously need to address adding a battery back up to my system in case of a long lasting outage that could warrant a real emergency. I've been seeing APC battery back ups around but am curious as to what you all use and recommend! Happy reefing.
-Alowe
 

Skim

Active Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2014
Location
Brantford, Ontario
For long outages you would be better off with Battery driven air pumps with some Air stones, or by a small Honda Generator.
 

ALowe

Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2014
Location
Vaughan, Ontario
For long outages you would be better off with Battery driven air pumps with some Air stones, or by a small Honda Generator.
I was looking into generators for a long outage but also thought of adding a battery back up so I never lose power to a few pieces of my equipment even with short outages
 

Skim

Active Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2014
Location
Brantford, Ontario
I guess the best place to start would be, how many watts are you looking at. It will make a big difference in the cost of things and one of the best places to get one would be TigerDirect.ca
 

ALowe

Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2014
Location
Vaughan, Ontario
I guess the best place to start would be, how many watts are you looking at. It will make a big difference in the cost of things and one of the best places to get one would be TigerDirect.ca
I have a back up generator for my tank.
Like skim said. It all depends on what you're planning on running. A good sized APC battery back up isn't cheap. And don't be fooled, they're not cheap either.
Ya I'll have to tally up the wattage but I believe the big 4 that i'd run in case of an emergency would be my 2 mp40's, heater, and return pump.
 

zoomster

Active Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2014
Location
Port Rowan, Ontario
I was looking into generators for a long outage but also thought of adding a battery back up so I never lose power to a few pieces of my equipment even with short outages
Another thing to consider is this; I also have a generator but unless you have one that auto starts and is hooked into your system -which is expensive - when the power goes out, it is not much good to you when you are not home.
At least a battery backup unit for just the absolutes would give you a bit of a security blanket and buy you a few hours. They also automatically recharge themselves when the power does come back on.
Just some food for thought bud.
 

ALowe

Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2014
Location
Vaughan, Ontario
Another thing to consider is this; I also have a generator but unless you have one that auto starts and is hooked into your system -which is expensive - when the power goes out, it is not much good to you when you are not home.
At least a battery backup unit for just the absolutes would give you a bit of a security blanket and buy you a few hours. They also automatically recharge themselves when the power does come back on.
Just some food for thought bud.
Exactly my thought about getting a generator as well as a battery backup. I like the idea of the back up kicking on automatically if im not home and then if it is a prolonged period, running the generator. any body have any brands they know of reefers use for battery back ups?
 

Salty Cracker

Administrator
Staff member
Website Admin
Joined
Mar 10, 2012
Location
Rocky Mountains BC
I have a generator but I use a ups smart 1500 on the tank, just to run one retun pump, and the apex (in case it's not a house-wide outage, and not just a gfi one). I get an email that the power went out to the tank as soon as it's able.

In the new build the water level won't drop as much so I'll likely just wire it to the wavemaker and the apex. It should run for a couple of hours easy...the return pump takes a lot of juice.
 

zoomster

Active Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2014
Location
Port Rowan, Ontario
As I live by the lake, I get a LOT of water here so I actually had a 1800w Noma Battery back-up for about 6-7 years( the battey has recently given up the ghost ) running my basement sump pump.
It is a 1 HP Ridged pump and my battery backup would run it for over 6 hrs and that was virtually non stop.
I would like to get another one but I can't seem to find them anymore.
 

zoomster

Active Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2014
Location
Port Rowan, Ontario
I am thinking of trying to replace the battey so if anyone has an idea where the best place to buy a replacement battery is, I would be grateful for the info.
 

nathan

Super Active Member
Website Affiliate
Joined
Mar 27, 2016
Location
sarnia
All this talk about power outages and now mine just went out...:confused: how ironic is this
 
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