i have to agree with brianrich, I live in ks and with storms and tornados, u just never know when u might loose power. I got a generator just for the several tanks i got running. and it works great for the rest of the house as well. maybe noisy and kinda exspencive to buy one and set it up, but well worth it if u save hundreds in fish, coral, and other critters. I would have to agree with getting one, but hay that is my opinion.