How many air pumps would I need in an emergency?

flower

flower

Well-Known Member
I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this....
Summer is here and everyone and his brother are running the air conditioners. So the chance of a power outage hangs in my thoughts. Not to mention some of the crazy storms we seem to be always getting of late. Just a few miles away from my home the power was off for 4 days
On another thread Saxman mentioned that he kept his tanks going with battery operated air pumps....He must not have checked back on the thread because I asked how many would be needed to keep my 90g and my 30g going in the event of a black/brown out or a storm where power was lost.
So that's my question. I found two types of pumps, one has a battery and plugs in the wall outlet and cuts on if the power goes off. The other is battery operated only.
How many pumps would I need to keep my tanks alive in the event we lose power?
I'm thinking the plug in type would just take up outlets, so I will use the battery type only. There is always someone home, so it's not like I would be away at the office and the power go out.
I was thinking two on the seahorse tank and three on the 90g......
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
I had 5 all together on my 155, 3 were in the main tank (probably could have done two, but I was afraid because it was a deep tank and oxygen transfer was an issue), 1 in the refugium and 1 in the sump.
Now I'm only running one in the 180, one in the sump and one in the refugium as well as having the MP40's (two of them) run off of a battery backup.
For a 90, I'd probably go with two in the main tank. I like to also keep one in the sump, just to keep the water from being stagnant. I have to keep one in my refugiums because I have fish in them.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Agree or better yet a small inexpensive gas generator... Wouldn't even have to run 24/7 in the event of a power outage!!!
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
A single bait-keeper kept my 155 gallon going during a 2 day poweroutage, I had 4 in the lagoon. I would suggest at least 2 because the failure rate is high.
Generator was purchased soon after ...
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
I found this one, it costs $40.00 (without shipping costs) I would need 2 on each tank since they both have a refugium and sump... So about $160.00...$180.00 with shipping...BLAH..I HATE counting every dollar. ...but it looks like it runs all the time not just with power off.






Air-Pod Battery Back-up Air Pump












Penn Plax







$39.99
Everyday use and peace-of-mind battery backup in an aquarium air pump. Penn Plax's Air-Pod uses 4 "D" batteries for automatic use when the power goes out. Adjustable flow control dial manages dual outlets. Also includes a power indicator light. Battery power lasts up to 150 hours.




Then I could get these $12.00 X 8 = $96.00 + whatever shipping costs





Elite Battery Operated Aquarium Air Pump












Hagen







$11.99
Pump on the go! This handy battery powered air pump is ideal for transporting fish or in emergency power outages. Requires batteries, not included.




I found a generator at a reasonable price $159.00 but what is the difference between 12 DC 10A one outlet and the other outlet says AC 115volt? 1000w what will that run? I found a 3250w for $200.00 but it says it's for running small TVs, portable stoves and such for camping
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
I have the Hagens and a bunch of the Bait ones that Bang Guy mentioned.
I also have the EcoTech Battery backup, that thing is fantastic.
I used to use the air lifter pumps plugged into a computer battery backup.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
I googled some of the stuff you guys mentioned.....
The bait keeper says freshwater only.
The Eco-Tech battery is only if you have those types of power heads
I don't understand what the DC 12v is for....the generators I look at has two outlets...one says 120 AC, I assume an extension cord would go there but what is the other for? I'm an idiot on tech stuff so all I really want is what can be plugged into that socket, not an explanation in professor big brains lingo.
 
S

saxman

Guest
FW only????!!! It's not like you're going to submerge the pump in SW...and guess what? NO air pump will work if you give it a dousing in SW.
Get a couple of the cheapies and run the tank with one and the sump with the other.
As far as the 12V DC thing goes, that is for powering gadgets that you'd normally run from your car's cigarette lighter or power port. The 115V AC is for things that run off of household electricity.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///forum/thread/386446/how-many-air-pumps-would-i-need-in-an-emergency#post_3394627
FW only? That's nuts. Do you know how many charter boats out here on the ocean use those things?
Is This the same one you are talking about? It has all kinds of warnings to use only in fresh water.

THE OXYGENATOR Bait Keeper is designed for 2-5 gallons of water. THE OXYGENATOR operates with an on/off cycle indicated with a green LED and runs totally silent. You will not hear it operate. The (4) “AA” batteries should last about 4-5 days of continuous running. THE OXYGENATOR will NOT create a highly visible bubble action. Bubbles generated by THE OXYGENATOR are nano-bubbles and are so small they are difficult to see. Bait action in the bait bucket will make the bubbles invisible, however the unit will still be generating oxygen. Warm water holds less oxygen than cold water, so oxygen must be added to warm water more frequently to maintain proper levels of dissolved oxygen. THE OXYGENATOR contains a temperature sensor that tells the unit how much oxygen to produce based on water temperature. You will not have to make any adjustments. Simply turn on the unit and go fishing! A mineral deposit will build up on the screen of THE OXYGENATOR. You must clean THE OXYGENATOR after every use. A nylon brush has been supplied with your oxygenator. If the build up gets substantial you can clean it with a 50/50 mixture of a calcium-cleaning product.
THE OXYGENATOR is designed for FRESH WATER use only. DO NOT use the unit in salt-water applications. Use of salt or additives containing salt MUST BE AVOIDED. Adding pure oxygen to your bait bucket reduces stress in your bait, so these additives are not typically required. Non-salt containing additives are available commercially. Be sure to check the label before using such products.
Some bait stores add salt or additives containing salt to their bait tanks to help maintain the slime coat of minnows. When using your oxygenator under these conditions, BE SURE to change the water before turning on your unit. Check with your bait dealer when purchasing your bait to determine if they use salt or additives containing salt in their water.
Fish create CO2 during respiration and excrete waste (ammonia) during storage in your bait bucket. These wastes must be eliminated from the water. CO2 can be released by occasional agitation of the water. Ammonia can be removed by replacing some water in the bait bucket every 1-2 hours.
$39.95 plus $10 shipping and handling. FOR FRESHWATER USE ONLY
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by saxman http:///forum/thread/386446/how-many-air-pumps-would-i-need-in-an-emergency#post_3394626
FW only????!!! It's not like you're going to submerge the pump in SW...and guess what? NO air pump will work if you give it a dousing in SW.
Get a couple of the cheapies and run the tank with one and the sump with the other.
As far as the 12V DC thing goes, that is for powering gadgets that you'd normally run from your car's cigarette lighter or power port. The 115V AC is for things that run off of household electricity.
Hey...I was looking for you.
I have two tanks, 30g seahorse and 90g reef, both have refugiums and both run with sumps...so I need a line for each one...wouldn't the 90g need two lines? It's a good sized tank.
 
mproctor4

mproctor4

Member
When we transport critters from the beach we just use the cheepy Walmart battery operated ones. The last time we bought one it was less than $10 and still runs fine. They run for several days when we are there in a large cooler and do just fine. My dad has one we borrowed the last trip that was about 25 years old and still going strong. You can find them in the fishing area. I would think in an emergency, they would work just fine.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
I honestly couldn't even tell you who made the bait ones, but they were cheap and I've seen them at bait shops and in the fishing sections at Walmart, etc.
 
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