Back-up power supply

[klc]

Has anyone had any experience with an effective continuously on-line back up power supply? I lost power to my 90 gal tank sometime last night and it has got me thinking about backup. Maybe something like a computer backup system?

[CanadaPleco]

I have been seriously thinking about getting a generator here for my tanks. I am honestly TERRIFIED about this winter as I live quite far up north and power goes out very regularly in the winter for long periods of time. Already once this yr the power went out for 8 hrs and the temp in my zebra tank dropped 9 degrees!

But there are cheaper alternatives for short term stuff... Computer APC battery backups should be able to run a small heater and small air pump for at least a short period of time. There are also battery powered air pumps I have seen.
http://kensfish.com/linearpumps.html
Hurrucane Category 5 $66 can be used like a normal pump then kicks into battery mode when power goes out...

Costco has generators on for $1500 usually I believe which is a great deal.

Let us know if you do get something for backups and how it works out for you! I know I for one and very curious.

[klc]

If you're thinking about a generator for back-up, check out your local TSC. They had some great deals on Champion generators earlier this fall. $499.00 for a 3,000/4,000 watt unit and $699.00 for a 6,000 watt unit. Don't know if the sale is still on. Those units will let you power your furnace/fan or supplimental electric heaters as well as you tank heaters and pumps - comfort for you and the fishies. I'm thinking of some type of battery back-up with an automatic transfer system. Mississauga doesn't have the same power outage issues that you're faced with. I'll let you know what I come up with. Of course, if anyone already has a working system, I'd love to hear about it.

[Zoban]

I have APC units on some of my more important items at this point.. Mind you I have picked them up wholesale as I work in the computer field but depending on how much you are worried about during an outage and length of said outage you can grab them pretty decently priced at even Best Buy.

Mainly I worry about filters and pumps as if the outage is long enough to have the temp drop then the battery would be toast anyway. Try plugging a laser printer into a ups and then unplug the ups.. dead ups almost instantly same effect with a heater.

[CanadaPleco]

Ya I was thinking of putting an APC on the filter of my Zebra tank just had to move them to a 40 gallon to prevent water temps from falling to fast :S

I would think that the apc battery option would be the best alternative for anyone in the city faced with short temp power outages.

I'll checkout those generators, thanks for the tip :)

[klc]

Any ideas how long an APC would keep a tank going? I realize it depends on amp draw etc but assume a Eheim 2028 filter and a 300 watt heater. Lights, powerheads, etc would be turned off. I've noticed that APC's come in a lot of different sizes so I'm trying to figure out which size will give the best bang for the buck. They all seem to be rated 5-7 minutes under full system load. What does that mean in pleco tank terms? Hints and pointers are always appreciated. Bye the way, my local Crappy Tire has a little 1200 watt generator on for $150.00 - used once. I may have to buy it on principle alone.

[Zoban]

the heater will be the main UPS killer in this equation..

basically unless you buy the REALLY big UPS' it will be dead almost instantaniously when the heater kicks in..

[klc]

Sounds like I'm better off to use a deep cycle gel cell battery and a phase inverter. Only problem then is being around to hook it up. Should last considerably longer than an APC

[CanadaPleco]

a $150 gennie scares me!

[Zoban]

Back-UPS® RS (500VA - 1500VA). $250CDN approx..

Typical Backup Time
at Half Load 15.4 minutes (432.5 Watts)
at Full Load 5.1 minutes (865 Watts)

15mins at 430watts doens't make me happy joy joy when considering a 300watt heater. Mind you that with out the heater you could power your canister and air pumps for quite sometime as the Load would be much less.

load/2 = Time*3 give or take based on the above. Meaning a 215watt load should last 46.2 mins.

[klc]

Thanks Zoban. I'm going to have to rethink this alternate power supply issue. I went to CT last night but someone else had already bought the little generator. They do have Coleman 5000 watt units on for $899.00. There are deals to be had if you keep your eyes open.

[klc]

Harkening back to this power supply issue, what about something like the Noma 1800 watt battery back-up system that is for sale at CT? It weighs 55 lbs so is a fairly hefty unit. It'll power TV's, freezers & even a microwave. Should do an aquarium setup fairly easily. Only problem is that it's still a battery and will run out. Maybe a small (3500 watt?) generator is the way to go.

[Zebrapl3co]

Just out of curiouslity, do you guys own a fish tank during the last black out a few years ago? What where your casualties?