Battery Back-up

[englishbulldog]

Just wondering has anyone ever used a battery back-up for their tank? If so, which one? Reason for the question is we just got our power turned back on after a 7+ hour outage and I am hoping that everyone will survive, not so sure about my valentini, he as put himself in a corner. I thought about moving him to the QT except that didn't have power for the same amount of time so I would think it is pointless to move him and stress him anymore, could be wrong though. Anyway if anyone has some input on this, that would be great. Also I have seem to of bought a house in power outage haven, power goes out approx 3-4 times a year, for hours, were not talking half hour to an hour, were talking extended periods of time. Thank you so much in advance.

 

[al mc]

Biggest problems with power outages are oxygenation of water and water temp.
Solutions: Whole House generator-best..expensive
portable generator---good but costly also
Cheap help: Computer battey backup for heater, if needed
Oxygenation...I had used the battery powered
air stones that fisherman use to keep their bait
fish alive...Most of the online 'fish equipment'
stores have them..like Cabelas.

 

[englishbulldog]

what kind of longevity would I be looking at if I went the cabela's way, I mean would I be replacing the unit everytime or would they last. I am suprised that being in Deleware you didn't get hit with the storms or maybe you did, I am just south in Maryland.

 

[jerryatrick]

I was driving back to PA from the outer banks saturday during that storm. That was a nasty storm.
Home Depot sells a power inverter at a good price that hooks up to your car battery. Just buy an extension cord and be prepared to waste some gas. I have heard that most UPS's will only last 3 or 4 hours. You can however buy a small generator for under $300.

 

[englishbulldog]

I guess it looks like it's generator time, I sure wish converting the house to solar wasn' t so expensive or would jump on that

 

[prime311]

You can't really use a UPS with any pumps. The reason being that a pump actually draws more power then the applications that the UPS is designed for(generally computer equipment) so if it doesn't destroy the UPS it isn't likely to last very long anyway. I actually stumbled upon this info when I was looking into purchasing one for my house sump pump, but the principal is the same for fish tank.

 

[al mc]

Originally Posted by englishbulldog
http:///forum/post/2634123
what kind of longevity would I be looking at if I went the cabela's way, I mean would I be replacing the unit everytime or would they last. I am suprised that being in Deleware you didn't get hit with the storms or maybe you did, I am just south in Maryland.
These are battery powered units that work well. Batteries last 5-6 hours of continual use.
As for the storms in Delaware..we did get that one and some others where we lose power but I convinced my wife that we needed a back up generator to keep from losing our refrigerator and freezer full of food in a power outage!
Don't tell it it is really for all the swf.