Power loss

[beefcake]

I was wondering what everyone does in the event of a powerloss. I'm still in the planning stages for my tank and would like to get some input in this area. Also how long can the power be off before some damage is done ? TIA

 

[slick]

Well me personally I don't have any kind of back up. I know thats probally not very smart but I can't afford to go buy a generator. My tank would be ok until the temp dropped to much.

 

[steve40]

i would have a problem with power loss because the pump tube may back syphin and if that happens the filter would overflow so i put a block of wood under the tube that goes into the tank so that as soon as the water level goes down to the tube the back syphin will stop and the filter would not have overfilled. that is my biggest concern is the back syphining from any tubes going into your tank that shoots out water.

 

[slick]

Steve why don't you just drill a small hole in your return line somewhere above the water level? This will pull air and break the siphon as soon as the power is lost.

 

[steve40]

it is a pretty small return line
how big of a whole, if it were to big water would come out wouldnt it, and if it were too small not enough air would be sucked in to break the siphon.
true?

 

[phoenixrising]

Since you live in a cold state, I'd sure be looking into a generator. I had a power outage here in Ohio this last Feb. that lasted for nearly a day. It was colder than a son of a gun outside. Kept the tanks warm by wrapping it in layers and layers of newspaper followed by bubble wrap (the only thing I had immediately on hand) and every heavy blanket I could find. That kept the tank reasonably warm (dropped to 72) but there was no water movement at all. I was lucky not to lose anything. Went shortly thereafter and got a nice generator.

 

[plum70rt]

it depends what size tank you get , I use UPS units I got off ---- cheap, will run the pump and keep timers up, for 4+ hours

 

[iechy]

I just bought a couple of battery operated air pupms just to agitate the water some for gas exchange. It normally doesn't get cold enough here for temp to be a problem so I have to hope for now that they'll do the job. One day I plan to try to rig up a powerhead to some type of battery and see if I can get it to work but my tinkering time has been limited of late.

 

[gregzbobo]

Good article in the november 2002 issue of Freshwater and Marine Aquarium magazine about making a battery-powered system for circulating and aerating water. Supposed to run for about 3 days straight. Uses a deep-cycle boat battery and a Skilter filter. Its supposed to cost about 100 to 150 bucks, most all the parts except the skilter can be had at wal-mart.

 

[bdhough]

Good idea on the UPS computer backups. I wondered how long they last. If you got a good one of those you could cycle the essential items on and off for a long time off of one battery. Your tank will live if the filters don't run not stop for a day or two. I would think the main factor would be the temperature...

 

[beefcake]

plum do you run the lights or heater at all also ?

 

[javatech]

this is what i have for backup three apc ups 500ah each one for the main pump and one for the heater and other things and the far right one is for my cichlids and a 9000 watt generator for long blackouts

 

[plum70rt]

I like the tie wraps very neat , I do not include the VHO lights, only pump and denitrator and the moonbeam nite lights , have 2 1000 watt UPS units, If you have strong lighting you need a generator, I live in fla so its never cold if power fails A/C will be out, so it will be warmer in house , but temp wont change much for at least a day if doors are kept closed

 

[javatech]

Thanks
the lights and one of the heaters are pluged in the surge side of the ups. only the main pump, one heater and Protein Skimmer are on the battery backup